The Daily Digest (MOA security scrutinized for 9/11 efforts, Rybak gets DNC Post, Ellison gets a challenger)

The Mall of America is getting plenty of attention today and it has nothing to do with shopping. NPR reported yesterday that MOA security has been disrupting innocent people's lives by tracking mall visitors and reporting their "suspicious activity" to law enforcement like the Bloomington Police Department, the state of Minnesota and the FBI. In many instances, the suspects did nothing wrong.

The second part of the report says most of those targeted by MOA security have been minorities.

A USDA report says 1 in 10 Minnesota households struggle with hunger.

Conservationists are seeking Legacy money for riverside land and moose habitat.

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A Revenue Department employee has been sentenced to five years for tax fraud.

Surly is starting to look for a new home.

Congress

President Obama will speak before Congress tonight to outline his plan for the economy. His plan is expected to cost $400 billion.

The New York Times says his economic plan is aimed at independents.

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann will attend Obama's jobs speech.

Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke speaks in Minneapolis today. There are low expectations for his speech.

Businesses have posted the most job openings in three years.

The deficit commission will also hold its first meeting today.

Federal agents charged 91 in a Medicare fraud case.

Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he's putting a FEMA bill that would help pay for damages caused by Hurricane Irene on the fast track.

NPR says Minnesota U.S. Attorney B. Todd Jones is inheriting the ATF that is fighting for survival. Jones will be interim director of the agency.

Medical technology firms continue to fight a tax on devices. GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen is mentioned.

MinnPost writes what you can expect from Congress this fall.

GOP Rep. John Kline held a closed door meeting with school officials late last month.

MPR says DFL Rep. Keith Ellison's Muslim faith helps build bridges to the Muslim world after 9/11.

Race for President

Several GOP candidates for governor participated in a debate in California. The debate was the first time Texas Gov. Rick Perry joined the crowd.

Mitt Romney and Perry sparred over jobs and Social Security.

The PoliGraph fact-checked the debate.

The Fix calls Bachmann a "non-entity" during the debate.

Politico says Bachmann is all alone on her $2/gallon gas pledge.

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak was nominated to be Vice Chair of DNC. Expect to see him a lot more on cable TV.

Tim Pawlenty gave a subtle endorsement to Mitt Romney by saying the former Massachusetts Governor can appeal to independents and conservative Democrats.

Race for Congress

MinnPost says GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen's "Opie routine" didn't work at Tuesday night's town hall.

Republican Chris Fields will challenge DFL Rep. Keith Ellison.