Jesse Venutra is one of those individuals who people just don’t, and likely never will, understand.
Why? Because they don’t want to.
Ventura was on ESPN radio with Colin Cowherd this afternoon, as one of those guests that needs no reason for attendance (although he apparently has a new TV show [...]
On Tuesday, while speaking to a group of Vikings fans in Austin, Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf made it clear that he and his brother Mark want to see the state address the issue of a new stadium – NOW! Not a couple of years from now when the economy [...]
Now that 6th District Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, R-Stillwater, has achieved national standing, it’s tempting to look at her career for signs that she was following a carefully planned script.
For instance, did Bachmann, in her celebrated 30-second grab of former President George Bush following his State of the Union Address in [...]
Gov. Tim Pawlenty today predicted that the upcoming legislative session, which begins in early February, will be more difficult than some are expecting.
A “much more challenging session than I think people realize,” said Pawlenty, speaking at the Capitol this afternoon.
It won’t just be a bonding bill, a few touch-up items, [...]
The Minnesota Department Health (MDH) today released its weekly H1N1 statistics for the past week showing ten schools in Minnesota reporting outbreaks of flu-like illnesses — one school more than the week before.
MDH officials last week said the decline seen in the number of flu-like outbreaks in schools could mean [...]
Following are opinions from Mille Lacs County Times editor-sports editor Gary Larson, reporter Luther Dorr and Logan Marxhausen, a Milaca native who is on the sports staff at the St. Cloud State University Chronicle. Note: This feature is written on Monday each week.
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•Question: What are your thoughts on [...]
The House Small Business Caucus online survey, which has already attracted some 400 responses from small business, is being extended through the month of December.
“The enthusiastic response of Minnesota’s small business community has been outstanding,” said Rep. Denise Dittrich, DFL-Champlin, who co-chairs the bipartisan Small Business Caucus.
“The more input [...]
Sen. Satveer Chaudhary, DFL-Fridley, will attend a White House state dinner tomorrow honoring Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh — Chaudhary’s parents came to America from India in the 1960s.
“I’m honored to be invited to attend this noteworthy event,” said Sen. Chaudhary.
“The event highlights the strong and growing economic and political [...]
Independence Party of Minnesota (IP) delegates at its recent state convention in Brooklyn Park voted to throw out the recent practice of candidate cross-endorsement.
That is, the IP will no longer endorse candidates that do not belong to the party — recent 6th District DFL congressional candidate El Tinklenberg was quick [...]
Former public safety commissioner and former Pawlenty Chief of Staff Charlie Weaver today (Nov. 23) announced that he would not run for governor in 2010 — something he has suggested in the past was a possibility.
“Running for Governor is a full time job and I know well the sacrifices [...]
Several area lawmakers have returned from a trip to Israel. The idea of the trip was to foster better ties to the country.
According to the House DFL Caucus, the group, which consisted of some nine lawmakers, had some 40 meetings/tours during the visit.
Local lawmakers on the trip were Rep. Sandra [...]
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) officials indicated today (Nov. 18) that retail store Santas will have to wait like everybody else to get vaccinated for H1N1 until people at greater risk get theirs.
“We have heard about Santa’s request,” said MDH Director of Infectious Disease Epidemiology Kristen Ehresmann.
Media reports have department [...]
Sen. Amy Koch, R-Buffalo, is carrying Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s proposed state spending limit constitutional amendment and will take the bill before the Senate Tax Committee on Dec. 7.
Democrats in general have expressed a willingness to listen to the proposal, an attitude Koch won’t second guess.
“I’m going to take them at [...]
Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Mark Holsten today (Nov. 16) told a House/Senate natural resources committee his agency had no intentions of relinquishing $20 million in bonding lawmakers approved for a proposed state park.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty many months ago proposed the creation of Lake Vermilion State Park on land currently [...]
Minnesota Twins General Manager Bill Smith began what hopefully will be a series of move to strengthen the Twins last week by trading outfielder Carlos Gomez to Milwaukee for shortstop J.J. Hardy.
Gomez did provide fans with a bundle of great catches, often climbing the outfield fences to snatch away potential [...]
Some lawmakers — Rep. Tom Hackbarth, R-Cedar, for instance — look to the expansion of gaming as a means for the state to capture extra dollars in tough economic times.
But Rep. Paul Gardner, DFL-Shoreview, believes the easiest ways of bringing in state revenue aren’t always the best.
“Personally my issue with [...]
The House Rules Committee today (Nov. 16) approved a resolution that will have House attorneys filing a “friend of the court” brief in support of legal actions against recent Pawlenty Administration state budget unallotments.
“Members of the Minnesota House feel strongly that we need to address the important issues raised by [...]
Gov. Tim Pawlenty today said the buck he shot at Saturday (Nov. 7) morning at the 7th Annual Governor’s Deer Opener has not been found.
Six to eight people — “including me,” he said — looked for the better part of two days for the deer but the blood trail dried [...]
Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Delano, snagged a handful of endorsements from local Republican lawmakers in his quest for governor.
The lawmakers are: Representatives Bruce Anderson, Buffalo Township, Mark Buesgens, of Jordan, Tom Hackbarth, of Cedar, Mary Liz Holberg, of Lakeville, Tim Sanders, of Blaine, and Peggy Scott, of Andover.
Emmer also picked up [...]
Sen. Tarryl Clark, the St. Cloud DFLer wanting to take on Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann next year, announced her campaign team today.
Serving as campaign manager is Zach Rodvold, who comes from U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s office where he served as state director.
Former finance director for St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman’s [...]
Republican businessman Brian Sullivan, who challenged then state representative Tim Pawlenty for the Republican party gubernatorial endorsement in 2001, has been reported to be considering another run for governor next year.
But today Sullivan issued a statement squashing speculation about a 2010 run.
“In June, I announced that I would not run [...]
During his speech to Iowa Republicans this weekend, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, as he has on other occasions, made reference to First Lady Mary Pawlenty’s physical attributes by using the description “smokin’ hot.”
Following the speech, a woman reporter asked the governor about the comment and perhaps offending women by using it.
Pawlenty [...]
What going on with some of the athletes on the University of Minnesota men’s basketball and football teams?
Ten days ago the Gopher men’s basketball team was deemed a lock to make the NCAA Basketball Tournament and a solid pick to reach the Sweet 16. Today, it looks like coach Tubby [...]
Sixth District Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, R-Stillwater, success at drawing thousands to Washington for a tea party rally yesterday was chronicled in the influential publication Politico.
The publication noted the strong feelings the throng had for the second term Republican, but also quoted a Democratic spokesman with a “bring it on” mentality.
“If [...]
State DFL Party Chairman Brian Melendez had some thorny words for Gov. Tim Pawlenty on the eve of the governor’s visit to Iowa.
“After taking a beating in nearly every presidential poll for 2012, Governor Pawlenty is headed to the Ronald Reagan Dinner tomorrow so that he can pander to conservatives [...]
As I write this posting, July 19, 2009 was a long time ago. Since then we launched our new preps web site, SportsPrepZone, which has been successful in attracting readers to the new venture. But that isn’t the reason for this new-updated posting. As we look ahead to what [...]
Two days after winning reelection as mayor of Minneapolis, R.T. Rybak announced today (Nov. 5) that he filed the paperwork to create the R.T. Rybak for Governor Committee.
In an announcement to supporters, Rybak said he’s been open about his considering a run for governor and doubted his filing the paperwork [...]
Senate Tax Committee Chairman Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, candidate for governor, today (Nov. 5) called on Gov. Tim Pawlenty to call a special session in order to pass a bonding bill by the end of the year.
“It’s time to increase the state’s bonding limits to create good paying construction jobs that [...]
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) officials today (Nov. 4) said since the unveiling of the Minnesota FluLine on Oct. 21, the line has received some 13,410 calls.
Flu line traffic volumes remain high, said a MDH official. But on average a caller — only those suffering from flu-like symptoms are encouraged [...]
U.S. Sen. Al Franken today (Nov. 3) delivered a major speech on health care reform on the Senate floor.
Democrat Franken said now is the moment “to meet this great moral and economic challenge.”
Franken spoke of the need for a public option — those who oppose one, “don’t choose it for [...]
There’s evidence that the Sixth District DFL Congressional leadership is going to wage a battle royal to defeat Rep. Michelle Bachmann next year .
Her latest statement on the House Floor about sex clinics is an embarrassment to citizens of the district.
When she visits her district, she listens and talks rationally.
But. [...]
House K-12 Finance Committee Chairwoman Mindy Greiling, DFL-Roseville, said she was surprised that some 57 local school districts have referendums on the ballot today.
This proves that school districts are really pressed funds for them to place referendums in this troubled economy, she explained.
“I always say where there’s a will, there’s [...]
Tina Snell, JOlson, Tim Budig, Matt Perkins, Gary Larson
