The Daily Digest: 11-18-08

The State Canvassing Board will meet today to order the recount in Minnesota's U.S. Senate race. The board will also consider Al Franken's plea for the board to consider rejected absentee ballots. GOP Sen. Norm Coleman's campaign says the ballots should not be considered and point to an opinion by the Attorney General's office to back them up. MPR, the Pi Press, AP, the Star Tribune, Forum Communications and KARE have stories.

The Secretary of State's office says Coleman's lead will jump from 206 votes to 215 votes because of the randomly selected audits in 200 precincts around the state. It all starts at zero after the canvassing board meets today.

A hearing on Franken's suit that seeks a list of voters who had their absentee ballots rejected is set for Wednesday.

A tripartisan group calls for an open recount process.

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A conservative Minnesota group wants a probe into voter registration.

Congress

Ben Bernanke and Hank Paulsen will appear before Congress today.

Gov. Pawlenty and GOP Sen. Norm Coleman weigh in on a bailout of the auto industry. Coleman is interested. Pawlenty says it shouldn't happen.

Coleman will meet with a Ford official. Can someone please give the Ford exec. a tape recorder so we can get Coleman on the recount? He has not made a public appearance since the day after the election.

Forum Communications takes a look at where some members of the delegation stand on the bailout of the auto industry.

Researchers are excited about a reversal on stem cell policy.

DFL Rep. Collin Peterson is headed to Arkansas this weekend.

DFL Rep. Keith Ellison wants to head the Progressive Caucus.

GOP Rep.-elect Erik Paulsen attends orientation.

Obama

President-elect Obama met with Republican John McCain.

There are reports that Hillary Clinton will accept the job as Secretary of State.

State Government

The Wakota Bridge designer will pay MnDOT $20 million.

No charges will be filed against two former DNR officials who spent state money on a conference.

Finally

Good-bye Irv Anderson.