Pagami fire concern lingers; Mineral rights bill stalls at Capitol; Minnesota museum month

This post initially contained an item by the Northland News Center that reported the Pagami Creek fire was still smoking. MPR News followed up on that report and found a different story. Dan Kraker reports, "Superior National Forest District Ranger Mark Van Every says there hasn't been any smoke reported since January. But with the remaining snow cover melting fast, he says they could potentially see some smoldering activity soon." -- Updated at 5:04pm

Former Sen. Majority Leader Koch, Brodkorb affair confirmed

Star Tribune: "The revelation of an Amy Koch-Michael Brodkorb relationship comes in wrangle over his termination." Star Tribune: "'Despite Mr. Brodkorb's efforts to disrupt the work of the Senate in the current legislative session, to distract members of the Senate, to extort a payment from the Senate and to try his so-called claims in the media, the Senate will not allow that to succeed,' Cal Ludeman, the secretary of the Senate, said."

Landowners won't get help fighting mining leases from Minnesota Legislature

Duluth News Tribune: "Legislation that would give northern Minnesota landowners more power to say no to mining companies that own the mineral rights under their land appears dead at the state Capitol."

May is Minnesota museum month

New York Times: "The country's first monthlong, statewide celebration of museums. It is the creation of several Twin Cities museum administrators, who expect it to become an annual event."

Senate panel vote on Vikings stadium delayed indefinitely

MPR News: "Supporters of a bill that would finance a new $975 million football stadium for the Minnesota Vikings suffered a setback Wednesday." Pioneer Press: "Gov. Mark Dayton minced few words Wednesday, March 14, as he called on House and Senate leaders to end the "theater of the absurd" surrounding the Minnesota Vikings stadium proposal and move the bill to a final vote." Star Tribune: "After nearly two hours of debate and testimony, the Senate Local Government and Elections Committee abruptly opted against a vote on the bill, after several members from both parties expressed significant concerns about it. Bill sponsor Sen. Julie Rosen, R-Fairmont, insisted however that the postponed vote was not a setback."

Obama signs St. Croix Bridge bill

MPR News: "President Barack Obama has signed legislation authorizing a replacement for the aging Stillwater Lift Bridge.The approval grants an exemption to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to build a new, four-lane bridge over the St. Croix River. The project is estimated to cost as much as $676 million."

St. Paul teacher accused of bias

Pioneer Press: "The families say Timothy Olmsted repeatedly disparaged their children, who are black, and made them sit at the back of his classroom."

iPads for St. Louis County schools

WDIO: "The St. Louis County School Board approved a new three year technology plan on Monday. And the plan calls for providing iPads for every high school student, starting in 2014. But next fall, all 7th and 8th graders will get to start using theirs."

Moorhead chief says plant fire worst he's seen in 20 years, damage could be in the millions

Forum of Fargo Moorhead: "Duysen said the fire was likely started by a pulp dryer on the west end of the building. He likened the dryer to a 'big oven' used to dry wet newspaper. The recycled newspaper is used to make the egg cartons."

Disappointment over graffiti covering Rochester park

KAAL: "On a warm day like we had Wednesday, many families headed outside enjoying parks and playgrounds. But people in a Southeast Rochester neighborhood arrived at theirs to find it vandalized, but for the parks department, a cleaning trip to Joyce Park is nothing new."

Faribault Woolen Mill tries to secure spot on National Register

Faribault Daily News: "Councilors approved a letter supporting the mill's application to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places this week. If the mill secures the designation, it will give it a national scope and open the door for state and federal Historic Preservation Tax Credits."

Minnesota's most influential plants? Arboretum wants input

MPR News: "The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum wants you to nominate your pick for the '10 Plants That Changed Minnesota.' The new initiative, which will include education at K-12 and college levels, is led by Mary Meyer, a professor of horticultural science at the University of Minnesota."

• Editor’s notebook: Covering the environment in 2014
• Best of Minnesota Scenes from 2014
• 50 years of memory making in the Boundary Waters