The Daily Digest

Now that the Vikings have won last night's Super Bowl, the attention turns to housing for the purple. I'm joking about the Super Bowl but now about the purple push for a new stadium. A Republican state lawmaker wants slots to pay for a new Vikings stadium. But DFL House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher downplayed any action next session. MPR, the Star Tribune, AP, the Pi Press and Forum Communications have stories.

Many Minnesotans are at the end of jobless benefits.

A six year old dies of H1N1.

A Minnesota panel will look at the health of state banks today.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.

Minnesota lawmakers look at cheap ways to end poverty.

Congress

The White House says President Obama will not pull U.S. troops out of Afghanistan.

Obama will also speak to a gay rights group this weekend.

Obama's Administration is also working to fix the employment safety net.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack wants a mandatory recall of all tainted food.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will speak in Minnesota next week.

DFL Sen. Al Franken backs federal regulation of Internet Service Providers.

DFL Rep. Tim Walz is pushing a transportation bill.

The first VA clinic in Alexandria opens its doors.

Health Reform

MPR looks at whether average folks can afford mandatory health insurance.

MPR also looks at zip code, income and education have an impact on health.

DFL Rep. Betty McCollum says she's sick of talk that the health care reform bill should be bipartisan.

DFL Rep. Michele Bachmann said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will beat the Blue Dogs to death over the public option.

Six protesters were arrested outside of UnitedHealth Group's headquarters.

2010

Matt Entenza tries to explain his decision to hire someone to "research" Mike Hatch in 2006.

The Minnesota Daily profiles Kelliher.

Pawlenty for Prez

Newt Gingrich says Gov. Pawlenty should run for president.

The Hill says Pawlenty is vying in the "invisible primary." The newspaper reports he'll speak to the Republican Jewish Coalition next week.

Survey USA said Pawlenty's approval rating has dipped. Smart Politics has some analysis.

Missed this one yesterday. The Washington Times interviews Pawlenty.