government

The drastic across-the-board sequestration cuts to the federal budget are coming home to roost in unexpected ways. Case in point is the harm to the nation’s economic growth that may result from cuts to agencies that support scientific research. According to James Kakalios,...

ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Legislature decided to renovate the state Capitol building, help communities fight floods, give veterans a new facility and provide disaster assistance Monday night as it ended its 2013 session. Some votes were pending press time, but legislative leaders...

ST. PAUL — The keystone of Minnesota Democrats’ budget plans, $2 billion in tax increases, was headed for final legislative passage while late Sunday a public works bill remained in doubt as time runs out in the 2013 legislative session. The tax increases are for plugging a...

ST. PAUL — Another year, another defeat for Sunday liquor sales. The Minnesota House voted 106-21 Wednesday to retain state law forbidding Sunday liquor store hours. The issue arises regularly in the Legislature, always failing by a large amount. The vote came on an amendment...

After a couple centuries of government support, the Protestant mores that have dominated American culture are disappearing from the public square. A majority of Americans support same-sex marriage, abortion and legalizing marijuana, not to mention other activities and values that...

Minnesota is doing better than most neighboring states, Gov. Mark Dayton told legislators and Minnesotans last Wednesday night in his third State of the State address. And it is doing better than two years ago, he added. "Minnesota's job growth in 2012 was the 12th best among all...

A few years ago, I had a friend who didn’t want anyone to know she was going to therapy. Instead, she would announce at her place of business she was leaving to attend her Amway meeting. At one point I had to inform her, “You know that doesn’t make you look any less crazy, right?”...

BEMIDJI — Many boaters who have navigated on the Mississippi River between Lake Irving and Lake Bemidji know of the hazardous pilings that stick up from the bottom, but for those who don’t, taking the wrong path could be a costly mistake. “I have hit them many times, and the...

BEMIDJI – The city council voted Tuesday to enforce calendar parking on more city streets. Once the restrictions go into effect, they’ll be enforced from midnight to 6 a.m. on one side of the street depending on the day. The added streets include large stretches of Nymore and...

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Democratic legislative candidates are getting more campaign subsidies this year, thanks in part to Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton's decision to forego the subsidy two years ago. The Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board said Tuesday it distributed $1.9...

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The nation's ongoing economic struggles have an upside for Minnesota cities, counties and school districts that have saved millions by refinancing debt at rock-bottom interest rates. There's no overall tally of statewide savings. But the city of St. Paul's...

BEMIDJI – November’s ballot will include a full plate of major political decisions for Minnesotans. Besides picking a president, voters will also be asked whether same-sex couples have the right to marry and whether citizens should be required to show ID to vote. That’s on...