Cross burning arrests; Bronze stars return; Renters ruin the neighborhood?

Two Bemidji men arrested on suspicion of cross burning incident last month

Bemidji Pioneer: "Derek Daniel Barnes, 20, and Ryan Fairbanks Andree, 19, were arrested on suspicion of terroristic threats and use of explosive/incendiary devices, according to a news release issued Wednesday night by the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office. ... The woman who reported the cross is white while her two adult children are mixed-race because their father is black. The woman was home alone and ran outside to douse the flames with water after seeing flames extend five feet into the air, she told the Pioneer. The newspaper agreed to withhold her name after she requested not to be identified to protect her family's identity. 'I was scared to death,' she told the Pioneer. 'Somebody has this much hatred to be lighting a cross?'

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Influence Industry: In Wisconsin recall effort, the side with most money won big

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The Washington Post: "If the Wisconsin recall battle was a test of the power of political spending, the big money won big."

MN Today: Wisconsin recall fallout

Capitol View: GOP emboldened on union issues, WH threatens to veto Paulsen's device tax cut, WI an opportunity for Romney

Homesteaders are giving way to renters in Twin Cities

Star Tribune: "Minneapolis and St. Paul see more single family houses not homesteaded, which experts say can destabilize neighborhoods."

Drought conditions continue in Northwest Minn.

MN Climate Working Group: "As of May 29, the U.S. Drought Monitor places some northwest Minnesota counties in the Moderate Drought category."

22 people arrested in Northland heroin sweep

Duluth News Tribune: "'Operation Brownstone' -- named after brown powder heroin, the type most seen in the Twin Ports -- was a concentrated effort by" local and federal agencies "to combat the increase in heroin trafficking and abuse being seen here."

Stolen bronze star markers replaced on veterans' graves

Isanti County News: "Local veterans' graves once again have the recognition they so distinctly deserve."

Ruling says part-time firefighters can unionize

MPR News: "For the first time, some part-time firefighters in the state are eligible to form labor unions, says a ruling by the Minnesota's Bureau of Mediation Services."

Survey: Mpls parents spoil their kids, St. Paul parents don't

WCCO: "Minneapolis and St. Paul often have friendly rivalries, and a new survey is sure to have parents in both cities talking."Minnesota's new

PUC chair familiar with complex issues

Midwest Energy News: "As an administrative law judge for the past 13 years, Judge Beverly Jones Heydinger has helped the commission sort out some of its most complex and contested cases."

Chammy the horse gets to stay in city

New Ulm Journal: "The Hintzes consider the horse an attraction for city residents and visitors. They were served a notice by the City of New Ulm that the horse must be removed because its presence violated city ordinances on keeping livestock and for 'excessive manure.'"

Beer trip: Soak up the suds

Star Tribune: "Vacation time? Hop in the car for a visit to breweries along your route as you explore the region."