Close quarters for pigs; The politics of rural broadband; Craft brew at the fair

Video shot in Minn. spotlights how pigs are treated

Star Tribune: "Mercy for Animals used film shot in Minnesota to bolster its fight against the hog industry's use of gestation crates." AP: "Costco Wholesale Corp. has joined a growing list of retailers and restaurants in asking suppliers to phase out tight confinement pens for pregnant sows."

Lake County broadband effort turns into fight over government stimulus help

MPR News: "To help businesses like Granite Gear and solve the internet woes of northeast Minnesota residents, Lake County began stringing fiber Tuesday in Two Harbors, which is on Lake Superior's North Shore."

Political Coverage Powered by You

Your gift today creates a more connected Minnesota. MPR News is your trusted resource for election coverage, reporting and breaking news. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.

2 Minn. men indicted over untimely wolf kills

Star Tribune: "Just months before the state Department of Natural Resources is planning to let hunters harvest 400 wolves in Minnesota, a federal grand jury in Minneapolis has indicted two North Shore residents in an alleged conspiracy to cover up the killing of two of the animals ahead of schedule."

Minneapolis: A look at the midwest's marketing overachiever

Ad Age: "Minneapolis' greater urban area is home to 18 Fortune 500 companies, including five in the top 100. Ad Age takes a close look at the city's marketing scene."

Measuring significant drought years

NewsHour: "Overall, commodities markets are responding in anticipation of a reduced harvest and in turn, any users of the products in their raw form are seeing prices increase,"

Republicans tell Mitt Romney to show tax returns

Politico: "The list of prominent Republicans and conservatives urging Romney to put out more than the two years of tax returns he has promised is continuing to grow each day." Pawlenty: Romney's released enough tax returns (CBS News).

How Minnesota and Portland started a mini feud

Dime: "Portland and Minnesota have representatives in Las Vegas this week, carrying on a mini-feud that started with one team unwittingly a part of it, sucked in by people now long gone."

N.H.L. seeks to end "front-loaded" contracts

New York Times: "It also seeks to end long-term front-loaded contracts, like the 13-year, $98 million deals that Zach Parise and Ryan Suter signed earlier this month with the Minnesota Wild."

Minnesota State Fair: Craft beer, Luminarium among new attractions

Pioneer Press: "From a giant sandbox and skateboard lessons to a flight of Minnesota craft beer and a People's Choice vote on food favorites, the Minnesota State Fair has added a dozen new attractions to the 2012 lineup."