The Daily Digest (Primary Day, 3,100 dependents cut from state benefits, Zellers blasts contracts)
It's Primary Day today. There are several Congressional and legislative races to watch.
In the Minnesota's 1st Congressional District, Republicans Mike Parry and Allen Quist are vying to challenge DFL Rep. Tim Walz in November.
In Minnesota's 8th Congressional District, Democrats Tarryl Clark, Jeff Anderson and Rick Nolan are vying to challenge GOP Rep. Chip Cravaack in November. Rick Nolan's campaign is trying to fight back on the abortion issue.
On the legislative side, watch the GOP primaries in the west metro, the DFL primaries in northeastern Minnesota and the DFL primary in Willmar.
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The Vikings are also working to help lawmakers who voted for the stadium bill.
Under the Dome
Gov. Dayton will interview the four candidates for the Minnesota Supreme Court today.
MPR reports that the state of Minnesota has canceled health insurance coverage for 3,100 family members of state workers. The move came after an audit found that the individuals were not eligible for benefits. The savings, enacted in last year's budget deal, is expected to save the state $10 million.
GOP House Speaker Kurt Zellers isn't a fan on the state employee contract. He said a pay raise for state workers in this economic time period is "overstepping the bounds."
A legislative committee will meet again on Thursday to discuss disaster aid for northeastern Minnesota. The Rochester Post-Bulletin says Republicans want more information on the flood relief package.
Check out MPR's Ground Level series which is examining the price of public safety in rural Minnesota.
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak urges "bold reform" to Local Government Aid.
Michael Brodkorb, the fired Senate staffer who is suing the Senate for his dismissal, gets back into blogging.
Congress
U.S. farmers may lose up to $18 billion in crops this year and taxpayers might be on the hook for $10 billion of that.
The government will aid farmers and ranchers.
A House panel filed suit against Attorney General Eric Holder.
Race for Congress
Democrats are working to tie Republicans to Paul Ryan's plans for Medicare.
Amendment that Would Ban Same-Sex Marriage
Cities are weighing in on the amendment.
Race for President
President Obama blasted Paul Ryan on the Farm Bill during a campaign event in Iowa.
Ryan adopted the traditional role of attack dog for a running mate and attacked Obama at the Iowa State Fair.
Obama hit the Iowa State Fair as well. He headed for the beer tent.
Mitt Romney ducked questions on how he differs with Ryan on Medicare.
Romney hit the gym in Orlando after reports surface that he canceled an appearance because of exhaustion.
A host for a Romney fundraiser in Florida is a convicted drug dealer.
Marketplace takes a look at Ryan's business connections.
A poll found that the Paul Ryan pick is less popular than the selections of Sarah Palin and Dick Cheney.
Another poll says Ryan's favorability jumped after being picked.
Another poll found that Republicans are more engaged in 2012.
The Fix takes a look at how Ryan impacts the electoral map (or doesn't).
Romney's proposed constitutional amendment to bar people with less than three years of business experience would bar Ryan from taking office.
Romney went on Florida radio to say Ryan supports the Cuban embargo even though he voted to lift it.
The New York Times finds that a Casino Mogul's Frontman in China Is Focus of Inquiries. Sheldon Adelson is a major backer of Mitt Romney.
The Obama campaign is still on the defensive on the Priorities USA ad.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will keynote the Republican National Convention.