Daily Digest: Poll shows tight AG race

Another Wednesday's here, and so is your Digest.

1.  MPR News/Star Tribune poll shows small Ellison lead over Wardlow in AG race. Dogged by a recent allegation of domestic abuse, Democrat Keith Ellison has a narrow, five-point lead over Republican candidate Doug Wardlow in the race to be Minnesota’s next attorney general, according to an MPR News/Star Tribune Minnesota Poll. Of 800 likely and registered voters across the state, 41 percent said they support Ellison and 36 percent said they favor Wardlow for attorney general. But 18 percent polled said they are still undecided on who they will vote for. With fewer than two months to go until the Nov. 6 election, the race could swing either way. (MPR News)

2. Lawmaker's tweet about Kavanaugh accusation draws criticism.  A Minnesota state senator is under fire on social media for his tweet about allegations of sexual misconduct against U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. On Monday afternoon, Sen. Scott Newman, R-Hutchinson, began his tweet “Even if true, teenagers! Frankly, I don’t believe her,” before criticizing the allegations made by Christine Blasey Ford. Twitter’s meter on the tweet showed some 3,900 replies — overwhelmingly, if not entirely, critical of Newman. The senator is “traveling and without cell service,” said Katie Fulkerson, spokeswoman for the Senate Republican caucus. She said Newman wasn’t expected to return until next week and it was unclear when his cell service might return. (Pioneer Press)

3. Panel begins review of sexual assault case practices. A new task force examining Minnesota’s system of investigating and prosecuting sex crimes held its first meeting Tuesday, aiming to dissect problems and propose solutions before the Legislature returns to work in January. The working group convened by departing Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson tried at its initial meeting to determine the scope of its task, from recommending law changes covering investigations and prosecutions to suggesting new spending on victim support networks. (MPR News)

4. Pocketbook issues? Check aisle 4. Target’s tariff troubles just got real. With his latest protective tariffs on Chinese imports, President Donald Trump hit dozens of products in the Minneapolis-based retailer’s inventory. Whether it is furniture, carpets, handbags, belts, sports gear, luggage or a host of other items Target buys in China, the price is about to go up 10 percent Sept. 24 with an additional 15 percent increase on Jan. 1, 2019. (Star Tribune)

5. A buzz-worthy campaign issue. A KSTP/SurveyUSA poll conducted earlier this month found 56 percent of registered voters said they would support legalization of recreational marijuana for residents over 21-years-old, while 35 percent said no, and 10 percent were not sure. Medical marijuana is legal in Minnesota, but allowing recreational marijuana use for adults is an issue the candidates have been talking about on the campaign trail for Minnesota governor. (KSTP-TV)

 

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