The Daily Digest: 7-18-06

The filings close today at 4:30. We'll be watching for any shenanigans, late challengers, etc.

Mike Hatch, the DFL endorsed candidate for governor, and Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty get some primary opponents. MPR's Tim Pugmire has a story focusing on that race.

Matt Entenza also gets a challenger for Minnesota Attorney General. The strib, the pi press, MPR and the AP have stories

The MN GOP says there are more developments on Entenza and will release it at 11:15.

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Minnesota poll says 57% believe the nation is on the wrong track

The Associated Press has a story focusing on churches and political campaigning. The IRS says it's a big no no

Roll Call has a story focusing on the Mayo Clinic's unusual move of hiring a team of lobbyists to fight the D,M and E expansion. Kate Ackley writes:

"The Mayo Clinic and its Rochester, Minn., community have hired a team of lobbyists from Manatt, Phelps & Phillips in the latest move in a high-stakes fight over a proposed rail project in the upper Midwest. It marks the first time in recent memory that the famous clinic - which recently treated Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.) for drug addiction - has looked to K Street for help on Capitol Hill, according to lobby disclosures."

Bloomberg has a story saying Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is warning that the economy could slow down. Bloomberg's Rich Miller writes that this could be bad news for the GOP who has been touting the economy in recent months:

"President Bush and his Republican colleagues, trailing in the opinion polls, are counting on the strength of the economy to help them retain control of Congress in the November elections. A slowing economy - in response to repeated Fed interest-rate increases - will undercut that campaign theme."

Governor Pawlenty will try to keep the good economic going in Minnesota. He has a news conference scheduled at 12:30 with Acting DEED Commissioner Ward Einess announce major economic news.

Finally, President Bush is set to use his first veto on the stem cell bill