The Daily Digest (virtual scratch, campaign cash; farm bill crash?)

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 In Minnesota

Minnesota's legislative auditor would like to launch as many as three probes into the contracts for MNsure, the state's online insurance marketplace. (MPR News)

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DFL Lt. Gov. Yvonne Prettner Solon said today that she’ll have an announcement “pretty soon” about whether she intends to be Gov. Mark Dayton’s running mate again this year. (MPR News)

Minnesota State Lottery players could be scratching off virtual tickets on its website by the end of this month, despite questions over whether it's legal. (MPR News)

A legislative panel finalized a report today that calls for tighter rules for carrying handguns inside the Minnesota Capitol. (MPR News)

In Washington/National Politics

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie fired two top aides and apologized profusely during an epic, two-hour press conference Thursday. But many questions remain unanswered about the decision to close exits on the George Washington Bridge as an act of political retribution. (NPR)

A possible compromise over extending emergency unemployment benefits has fallen apart in the U.S. Senate. Still, Democrats see the issue as good policy and even better politics. (MPR News)

The Star Tribune says the race in Minnesota's 8th Congressional District is heating up. (Star Tribune)

GOP U.S. Senate hopeful Mike McFadden’s campaign says the business executive raised $780, 000 in the last quarter of 2013 and is sitting on $1.7 million for his campaign. DFL Sen. Al Franken and the other Republican candidates have not yet released their totals, which are due by Jan. 15. (MPR News)

Half of the members of this Congress are millionaires, according to a new report. (New York Times)

The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday cleared the nomination of Twin Cities attorney Andrew Luger to become the next U.S. attorney for Minnesota. (Star Tribune)

Broken record alert: The farm bill is in trouble, again, this time thanks to a disagreement between 7th District Rep. Collin Peterson and House Speaker John Boehner. (Politico)