GOP seeks to unseat Walz; An online Ojibwe dictionary; Vote on UAW at U of M

Republicans say they have a shot at unseating DFL U.S. Rep. Tim Walz

MPR News: "As the November election approaches, Republicans in Minnesota think one of their best chances for recapturing a congressional seat is in southern Minnesota's 1st District. Republicans insist the incumbent there, U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, a Democrat, is out of step with his constituents. State Sen. Mike Parry and former state Rep. Allen Quist are seeking the GOP endorsement to take on Walz in November. So it's a busy time for the candidates, with political organizing meetings taking place across southern Minnesota, including the Le Sueur County Republican convention a couple of Saturdays ago, where about 100 people were present."

Former Star Tribune publisher, arts patron John Cowles dies at 82

MPR News: "John Cowles Jr., who published the Minneapolis Star Tribune newspaper in the 1980s and grew to become a key arts patron in the Twin Cities, has died. He was 82 years old."

Urban farms a tough row to hoe for Minneapolis City Council

MPR News: "The Minneapolis City Council this week takes up a controversial set of proposed ordinances designed to encourage urban agriculture."

We're not from around here, are we?

Star Tribune: "The land of 'ya sure, you betcha,' isn't quite as filled with native Minnesotans as it used to be, according to U.S. Census data."

Is the retirement age increasing?

Tom Gillaspy: "While there is some evidence that some workers are delaying retirement, for many workers, the reality is very different and retiring earlier than expected becomes a necessity."

Team helps create online Ojibwe People's Dictionary

Pioneer Press: "Gerri Howard was loath to let a digital recorder capture her voice for a new kind of dictionary. A fluent speaker of Ojibwe on Minnesota's Leech Lake Reservation, she didn't like how she sounded on playback."

Minnesota legislators tread softly around possible Brodkorb lawsuit

Pioneer Press: "Michael Brodkorb once was the bane of Minnesota Democrats, a savvy and aggressive operative whose scorched-earth approach to politics ... powered his rise to dual roles as deputy chairman of the state GOP and chief spokesman for Senate Republicans."

Path to end of Minnesota legislative session still fuzzy

Forum of Fargo Moorhead: "Minnesota's legislators want to go home for the year in a month, or a little more, but the crystal ball showing how to get there is murky."

Minnesota to vote on rescinding immunity for lawmakers facing drunken driving arrest

Fox9: "The provision, found in the state constitution, allows lawmakers 'privilege from arrest' when they are pulled over by police."

In vote this week, graduate workers take sides on union backed by UAW

Minnesota Daily: "Despite previous failed attempts, union proponents at the University think organizing with the United Auto Workers will be the key to forming a union this time around. ... If a union passes, students who aren't members will be required to pay UAW because they benefit from contract negotiation."

Minnesota DNR hires manager for wildlife habitat program

Echo Press: "A veteran Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) biologist has been selected to manage the state's wildlife habitat program."

UMD development could make campus more livable

Duluth News Tribune: "Developer of the Woodland Middle School site says prospects for retail and restaurant development will depend partly on 'grand entrance' option at UMD."

Do digital gadgets increase our appetite for news?

NPR: "One in every four Americans receives their news digitally from mobile devices, which are helping to expand the consumption of journalism across multiple sources, according to a new report released Monday."

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