The Daily Digest (Hearing focuses on Parry not contracts, Pawlenty hits Sunday circuit, Economy gaining traction?)

Republican Mike Parry and his campaign for Congress became the focus of yesterday's hearing on the state employee contracts.

Parry also declined to answer questions about his congressional campaign after the hearing. He later ducked the press after telling reporters he would answer questions about his campaign outside of the State Capitol.

The Star Tribune says metro police departments are scanning, collecting and storing driver's license data.

Minnesota Power got more time to shut down the company's coal plants.

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Minnesota officials say a new Medicaid payment system will save the state money.

Economy

New data suggest the economy may be gaining some traction.

A survey says pay raises in Minnesota will be a flat 2.9 percent in 2013.

Congress

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann said the comments she made about the Muslim Brotherhood are more focused on national security instead of religion.

The Postal Service reported a $5.2 billion quarterly loss.

There are new off-road rules for Superior National Forest.

Race for Congress

Democrat Tarryl Clark attacks Rick Nolan in the latest ad.

The three candidates also appeared on KSTP's At Issue.

A liberal Super PAC announced that it's targeting GOP Rep. Chip Cravaack.

Race for President

President Obama and Mitt Romney spar over attack ads.

The New York Times has a good story on how Romney sold a home to a struggling couple after a real estate investment failed.

Polls by Fox News and CNN have Obama leading Romney nationally.

Pawlenty for VP Watch

Tim Pawlenty is doing double duty on the Sunday shows. He'll appear on NBC's Meet the Press and ABC's This Week.

Pawlenty will campaign in New Hampshire on Saturday.

The Star Tribune says the 7 corporate boards Pawlenty is on could be a problem if he's picked for the ticket.

The Pi Press wonders whether Pawlenty has what it takes to be VP.

The Washington Post profiles Pawlenty.

Nearly 60 percent of those surveyed in a CNN poll either never heard of or have no opinion of Pawlenty. Just 4 percent of those polled think Romney should pick Pawlenty. 28 percent of those polled want Romney to pick Florida Sen. Marco Rubio.

Romney is facing pressure to put Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan on the ticket.