Classifieds

Wadena PJ

Weather Forecast

Close

politics

Sen. Roger Reinert, DFL-Duluth, talks to reporters Monday with Sen. Jeremy Miller, R-Winona, in announcing a "purple" caucus to bring Democrats and Republicans together. Photo by Don Davis, Forum News Service

Red plus blue equals purple bipartisanship

ST. PAUL -- Two Minnesota senators want to form a "purple" caucus to bring lawmakers from both parties together. Sens. Roger Reinert, DFL-Duluth, and Jeremy Miller, R-Winona, said there is...

news Tue, Mar 05, 2013 - 9:02am

Reps. Kurt Zellers of Maple Grove, left, and Dan Fabian of Roseau take different approaches Monday during debate on establishing a state health insurance sales system. Photo by Don Davis, Forum News Service

Minnesota health insurance marketplace moves ahead

ST. PAUL - Minnesotans either will get a better deal on health insurance or they will face problems if the Legislature and governor agree on a new way for 1.3...

news Tue, Mar 05, 2013 - 9:00am

Capitol Chatter: $30 million appears headed to help businesses grow

ST. PAUL -- Legislative leaders say the governor has a good chance of getting $30 million he wants included in the next two-year budget to help businesses move to Minnesota...

news Mon, Mar 04, 2013 - 4:14pm

Federal budget cuts likely will hit Minnesota gradually

ST. PAUL - Minnesotans may not know what the word means, but as of Thursday they began to feel the impact of automatic and deep federal budget cuts known as...

news Fri, Mar 01, 2013 - 11:11am

Commissioner Jim Schowalter of Minnesota Management and Budget announces Thursday that the state's shortfall shrank to $627 million from $1.1 billion. Photo by Don Davis, Forum News Service

Taxes not tabled after projected deficit shrinks

ST. PAUL - Talk of tax increases continues even as economists anticipate a smaller state budget deficit. "Tax reform is important for Minnesota's future," Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook,...

news Fri, Mar 01, 2013 - 10:36am

White House says Minnesota would feel sequester

The White House claims thousands of jobs are at stake with today's beginning of a federal sequester, automatic cuts in most federal programs. Here are some cuts the White House...

news Fri, Mar 01, 2013 - 9:01am

State deficit at $627 million

ST. PAUL - Minnesota's projected budget deficit for the next two years is lower than expected at $627 million, the Minnesota Management and Budget reported this morning. Legislators and Gov...

news Thu, Feb 28, 2013 - 9:27am

Electric Asian carp barrier clears Minnesota legislative committee

ST. PAUL -- State legislators are moving ahead with plans to build an electric barrier in the Mississippi River to stop the spread of Asian carp. A bill instructing the...

news / outdoors Thu, Feb 28, 2013 - 9:06am

Bill author Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, said Wednesday it is time for Minnesota to legalize same-sex marriage. Photo by Danielle Killey, Forum News Service

Gay marriage debate revisits Minnesota Capitol

ST. PAUL -- Those on opposite sides of the same-sex marriage debate use the same argument: It is about families. Both camps made their case Wednesday as Minnesota lawmakers released...

news Thu, Feb 28, 2013 - 9:04am

Legislative notebook: Long-term care funding boost suggested

A proposal to increase Minnesota long-term care funding could help elder care as baby boomers prepare to retire, supporters say, but overall state budget questions threaten its future. House and...

news Wed, Feb 27, 2013 - 10:01am

Lobbyist Joel Carlson and Hackensack, Minn., resort owner Mark Novotney tell a House committee Tuesday that more state tourism marketing money would help resorts. Submitted photo

Lawmakers consider doubling Minnesota tourism budget

ST. PAUL -- Minnesota's resorts, government and residents would benefit from a larger tourism marketing effort, supporters of a bill to double its state support told a House committee. Rep...

news Wed, Feb 27, 2013 - 9:20am

Reducing gun violence common goal, Minnesota gun rights and gun control advocates say

ST. PAUL -- Something can be done about gun violence in Minnesota. Gun rights and gun control advocates generally agree on that point, but they don't necessarily agree on what...

news Tue, Feb 26, 2013 - 9:14am

Sen. Roger Reinert of Duluth shows fellow senators on Monday his bill to allow Sunday and holiday beer sales. He later said he will not pursue the bill unless there is a public outcry of support. Forum News Service photo by Don Davis

Minnesota Sunday liquor sales stalled, short of a public outcry

ST. PAUL -- Minnesotans must loudly demand that lawmakers approve Sunday alcohol sales if the proposal has a chance to pass, its Senate sponsor says. Sen.

news Tue, Feb 26, 2013 - 9:11am

Minnesota Legislative notebook: Representatives hear that minimum wage increase would help economy

Minnesota minimum wages would rise from $6.15 to as much as $10.55 an hour under bills lawmakers are examining this week. The proposal's first committee votes could come this week...

news Tue, Feb 26, 2013 - 9:09am

Capitol Chatter: Thursday's forecast to show budget temperature

ST. PAUL -- One of the big days of the Minnesota legislative session arrives Thursday, when state fiscal leaders announce how state revenues and spending are doing. The budget forecast,...

news Mon, Feb 25, 2013 - 9:35am

Pages