The Daily Digest (BWCA fire grows, Poverty rate increases and Bachmann backs off HPV claim)

The fire in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness continues to balloon in size. Federal fire crews and the National Guard have been called in to help fight the blaze. The estimated size of the blaze is 100,000 acres and growing.

Gov. Dayton directed four Minnesota National Guard UH-60 "Blackhawk" Helicopters and Army and Air National Guard Aviation support teams to begin assisting firefighting efforts.

Under the Dome

Democrats are making an effort to restore the Market Value Homestead Credit. The popular tax break for homeowners was eliminated in the state budget deal.

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New U.S. Census data shows one in ten in Minnesota lives in poverty. The poverty rate also increased across the country.

Gov. Dayton speaks to the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce today. He held an economic round table on the Iron Range on Tuesday.

The Mesabi Daily News says Dayton is talking with his commissioners about creating a point person to help accelerate mining projects toward development.

The MPCA approved an air permit for a taconite expansion. The approval means the U.S. Steel plant can emit more mercury.

MPR takes a look at efforts to clean Minnesota's waters.

Attorney General Lori Swanson dropped Dorsey and Whitney as the state's bond counsel.

The Minneapolis Police pension fund approved a merger with the state's pension fund.

Congress

President Obama takes his jobs pitch to North Carolina today. He was Ohio on Tuesday.

CNN says Obama's push for the bill could last months.

The Financial Times says President Obama will propose cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.

The debt panel started its work on Tuesday.

The White House is pressed on a $500 million loan to a solar company that is now under investigation.

There will be a new airport security policy for children.

5,400 Hill staffers have gone to K Street.

A fraud case rocks the Democratic Party in California.

DFL Rep. Keith Ellison says he's uncomfortable with the Social Security tax cut in President Obama's jobs plan.

Congress passed GOP Rep. John Kline's Education bill and extended transportation funding.

The education bill would also expand charter schools.

DFL Rep. Tim Walz joins an effort to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.

Afghanistan

Militants in Kabul launched an attack on the U.S. Embassy.

The Specials

The GOP candidate in NY-9 scored a major upset in a special election in that state Republicans say it's a bad sign for President Obama.

A Republican also won a Nevada special election easily.

The party-backed candidates running to win two Minnesota Senate seats won their primary battles. The general election is scheduled for October 18.

Race for President

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann backed off earlier suggestions that the HPV vaccine could cause mental retardation. She made the claims after Monday night's debate and on Tuesday's Today Show.

A Failed executive order on the HPV vaccine haunts Texas Gov. Rick Perry's campaign.

The Washington Post says Perry's financial ties to the vaccine maker, Merck, are deeper than he suggested.

A Bachmann Super PAC typifies new election ground rules.

AP says Bachmann's book is called "Core of Conviction."

An unidentified Pawlenty staffer throws Nick Ayers under the bus.

Politico reports that Pawlenty had a retire the debt party in Washington D.C.