The Daily Digest: 8-1-08

Today is the anniversary of the 35W bridge collapse. The Pi Press, the Star Tribune and MPR have broad looks at the collapse.

Memorial services are scheduled for today.

Groups are calling for greater spending on infrastructure.

The L.A. Times says urgency has buckled since the bridge collapse.

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Gov. Pawlenty says Minnesota is addressing bridge safety.

CBS says states get creative after the bridge collapse.

The Star Tribune says Congress hasn't come up with the money to repair the nation's bridges.

AP has a look at some of the survivors.

The new bridge is almost finished.

Sonia Pitt gets fired from her job at the TSA.

There's also the politics. Politico says the GOP hopes to skirt the bridge issue during the RNC.

2008 Race for President

The Wall Street Journal says Wal-Mart is warning supervisors that an Obama presidency will allow unions into their stores.

DFL Rep. Keith Ellison and other members of the Congressional Black Caucus take issue with the McCain campaigns comments that Barack Obama has injected race into the campaign.

The Fix doesn't have Minnesota in its top ten battleground states.

2008 Race for the Senate

GOP Sen. Norm Coleman is being considered to lead the NRSC in 2010.

Blois Olson writes about what went wrong for Democrat Al Franken.

DFLer Priscilla Lord Faris is going on the air.

The Duluth Budgeteer has a profile of Lord Faris.

I-P candidate Dean Barkley campaigns in Alexandria.

The National Journal says the GOP is bracing for a cold November. Minnesota's Senate race is mentioned.

The Bemidji Pioneer says Coleman has helped border fishing guides.

Coleman also talked energy.

Pawlenty for VP Watch

The Washington Times says McCain has turned his focus to two female conservatives.

State Government

The Star Tribune takes a look at the new laws that took effect today.

A group questions a pesticide's health effects.

Congress

GOP Sen. Norm Coleman and DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar remember the bridge collapse.

The mental health parity provisions stall again. GOP Rep. Jim Ramstad is mentioned.

A House Committee votes to end a cross border trucking program. DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is mentioned.

A House panel also considers a bill that would ban cell phone use in flight.

The NTSB is investigating the plane crash in Owatonna.

Congress does little to address high gas prices which prompted GOP lawmakers to call for a special session.

2008 RNC

Jesse Ventura will speak at the Ron Paul rally.