The Daily Digest: 12-17-06

Transportation leads the digest today.

The Star Tribune has a look at Highway 14 - which the paper calls a highway of horrors and the Hastings Bridge.

The Pi Press says plenty of other bridges are also waiting for a replacement.

Cities are planning for growth along the Northstar Commuter Rail line.

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Central Corridor planners plan cutbacks to get the budget in line.

State Government

AP says some southern Minnesota businesses that were lost to the summer floods can't get timely aid because the counties didn't have disaster plans.

3M releases results of a PFBA study.

Exports of state goods is up more than 11% in the 3rd Quarter.

MPR profiles Secretary of State Mark Ritchie.

Former Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer appears in a radio ad for Minnesota Majority.

Hennepin County Sheriff spends $30,000 on a video documenting the counties reaction to the bridge collapse. It stars Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek. KARE-11 says Hennepin County Commissioner are questioning the video.

AP has a story saying a Minneapolis Church won't allow any marriages until the state allows all marriages.

The DNR wants public input on a state park plan on Lake Vermilion.

Congress has approved legislation that would strip President Bush's power to call up National Guard troops during terrorist attacks, natural disasters and other domestic emergencies. Pawlenty is mentioned.

City officials in Marshall worry that GOP House Minority Leader Marty Seifert could derail their sports project.

Gov. Pawlenty and the March of Dimes celebrate the state's infant screening program but some worry about privacy.

Gov. Pawlenty says former VP Al Gore is too partisan on global warming.

Congress

The Senate passed the Farm Bill. It includes provisions to boost sugar and dairy farmers. The Star Tribune says most subsidies were left in the bill.

GOP Sen. Norm Coleman and DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar both voted for the bill.

DFL Rep. Collin Peterson says the GOP will be harmed if President Bush vetoes the Farm Bill.

The Pi Press writes on the "Beyond the Yellow Ribbon" campaign.

Pilots get more years to fly. DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is mentioned.

The Senate oks a pool drain safety bill backed by Klobuchar.

A Wayzata money manager, who hosted President Bush at his home for a fundraiser for GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann, is selling his home because of legal troubles.

2008

DFL U.S. Senate candidate Mike Ciresi is on Midday at 11 today.

There's a GOP primary scheduled for tomorrow for the Senate District 25 special election.

The Star Tribune looks at Minnesotans who are either in the ring or have ringside seats to the Iowa caucuses.

The Pi Press wonders if the Huckaboom could happen in Minnesota.

The Washington Post writes a profile about DFL U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken.

The economy has emerged as a key election issue.

KEYC-TV says MoveOn.org organizers visited the office of DFL Rep. Tim Walz (h/t Blue Stem Prairie).

2008 RNC

AP reports on an ethics rule allows lawmakers to party with lobbyists at the conventions.

2010

MinnPost speculates on whether St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman will run for governor. Coleman says he's focused on St. Paul.