The Daily Digest (Surplus tales, Assessment challenges rack up legal fees, Payroll tax cut fight continues)
MPR says Republican lawmakers and Gov. Dayton's Administration are taking credit for a budget surplus where it might not be due.
Dayton told WCCO that he'd give himself an 'A' for his first year in office and is interested in running for reelection.
Tidbit: Gov. Dayton will be on MPR's Midday on Tuesday at 11 A.M.
The Star Tribune says governor's office is looking to consulting agencies to find potential savings.
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MPR says cities, counties and school districts are spending tens of millions of dollars more because property owners are challenging their assessments in court.
The St. Cloud Times reports that 28 legislators took per diem or expenses during the state government shutdown in July.
Gov. Dayton ripped GOP state Sen. Mike Parry in a letter for impugning his integrity. He threatened not to meet with him again but the two agreed to meet after that.
An expert says there is little oversight of Minnesota classroom science labs.
Brooklyn Center is voting on a school levy on Tuesday.
A U of M researcher says physical barriers won't stop Asian Carp.
The U of M will give up intellectual property rights when partnering with industry on research.
AP says public retirement ages are coming under scrutiny.
Vikings Stadium
Gov. Dayton and lawmakers watched the Vikings game at the governor's residence.
Same-sex marriage debate
The Poligraph says GOP Rep. Steve Drazkowski's claim on same-sex marriage is misleading.
The Campaign Finance Board dismissed a complaint against a Catholic DVD.
Economy
Economic growth is expected to be slow in 2012.
The U.S. trade deficit shrinks for the fourth straight month.
Congress
The L.A. Times says some local law enforcement agencies are enlisting predator drones to do surveillance on Americans.
Congress is edging toward a compromise on spending, a move that will avert a shutdown.
The U.S. is pondering what to do with its last detainee in Iraq.
There was a reprieve for U.S. Somalis on the money transfer issue.
GOP Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is predicting a deal on the payroll tax cut extension.
NPR says lawmakers are bickering over a payroll tax cut that most voters don't even know about.
The Star Tribune gives us another look as to where Minnesota's delegation stands on the payroll tax cut.
NPR says the GOP is objecting to the "millionaires tax" but they found many millionaires who aren't.
Countries have agreed to draft a new climate change treaty.
GOP Rep. Chip Cravaack is lobbying for the Boundary Waters land swap.
DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar asks the FAA to allow pilots to get more rest.
Race for GOP Chair
Party officials say the Minnesota Republican Party's State Central Meeting will be in St. Cloud in Dec. 31.
Race for President
President Obama says the jobless rate could drop to 8% by the 2012 election.
Ron Paul won't rule out a third party candidacy.
ABC News says Paul is drawing big crowds and undecided voters at his events.
The New York Times says Mitt Romney has 23 days to settle any blowback from the most memorable line of Saturday's debate - a $10,000 bet he tried to make with Rick Perry.
Newt Gingrich has been assailed by his rivals but he fired back at Mitt Romney.
Gingrich is also firing back at Romney.
Gingrich hired Marco Rubio's strategist to manage his Florida campaign.
Gingrich also nabbed a Jon Huntsman supporter in New Hamsphire.
NPR says Romney, who is no longer considered the front-runner, is now more than willing to talk with the media.
GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann killed two birds with one stone in Saturday's debate She went after "Newt Romney" in Saturday night's debate. Her point? That there is little daylight between the two when it comes to previously supporting liberal policies, such as cap-and-trade and health care.
A Tea Party leader says Bachmann needs to win in Iowa.
Donald Trump criticized Bachmann for abandoning his debate.
Trump may drop his debate.