The Daily Digest

Welcome to the Daily Digest, where it's the first day of the 2012 legislative session. MPR has a look at what to expect.

Around Minnesota

Sen. Amy Koch spoke with MPR Monday, saying, "I'm going to pick myself up and move forward."

The DFL is filing a complaint over MN GOP payments to Sen. Dave Thompson for media consulting.

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Local leaders are asking the state for more flexibility in how they deliver services.

Proponents of same-sex marriage view a Hennepin County court ruling as "a big win."

The Anoka-Hennepin school district has a new proposal on how teachers should handle contentious subjects, including sexual orientation.

The Vikings Stadium

Gov. Mark Dayton told the Vikings that if they want a stadium in 2012, it's got to be the Metrodome site.

The news comes after negotiators expressed concerns about the Linden Ave. site.

In Washington

President Barack Obama will deliver his State of the Union address tonight. CBS reports that promises from his previous speeches remain unfulfilled.

Programming note: MPR will be broadcasting the speech live.

The St. Croix bridge bill passed the Senate.

Rep. Keith Ellison wrote an opinion piece about Citizens United.

Sen. Al Franken defended his support for PIPA/SOPA, MPR reports.

The Supreme Court ruled that the police must get a warrant before using GPS to track a suspect, the Washington Post reports.

The Money Race

Rep. Tim Walz raised $1 million in 2011.

On the Campaign Trail

The candidates debated in Tampa, Florida, Monday night.

Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich clashed. Romney called Gingrich an "influence peddler" for his consulting working.

The Associated Press writes that Gingrich got his history wrong in the debate.

Mitt Romney is hinting at an October surprise if Newt Gingrich is the nominee, the New York Times reports.

The Florida primary will force the GOP candidates to talk about the struggling housing market.

Romney has hired Brett O'Donnell, Rep. Michele Bachmann's former campaign speech coach.

Tim Pawlenty has become Mitt Romney's attack dog, Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank writes.

Romney released his tax returns.

Romney is airing an ad in Florida that links Gingrich to the housing collapse, the New York Times reports.

A pro-Gingrich super PAC called Winning Our Future has received an additional $5 million, which may help counter the Romney ads in Florida.

Gingrich has released his 2006 contract with Freddie Mac. Between 1999 and 2008, Gingrich made at least $1.6 million from the consulting gig, the Washington Post reports.

ICYMI

MPR welcomes a new show: The Daily Circuit will feature Kerri Miller and Tom Weber from 9 a.m. to noon daily. Read more about it here.