Today on the MPR News Update we report on Officer Tom Decker's burial in Collegeville attended by thousands of police officers, take measure of how lawmakers plan to deal with Minnesota's budget deficit, look at the state's economic prospects, and more.
Minnesota Today from MPR News
December 6, 2012
Mining still strong as demand drops; future looks stable
Photo of Hibbing Taconit’s Hull-Rust Mahoning mine in Hibbing, Minn. by Lars Hammar via Flickr
“The open-market price for taconite dropped nearly $80 a ton over the past two years, global demand for ore and steel is sluggish, and at least one Minnesota producer is planning to scale back in 2013.
“But, despite some signs of trouble, Minnesota’s taconite plants are on pace to produce slightly more of the concentrated iron ore in 2012 than they did the year before — 39.2 million tons, up a bit from 39 million, said Bob Wagstrom, who tracks taconite production for the Minnesota Department of Revenue,” via Duluth News Tribune.
Pull-tabs meeting only about half of projected revenue
“Proceeds from expanded gambling are not filling up the state’s account to help pay for a new Vikings stadium as quickly as had been hoped, finance experts say.
“It’s no secret Minnesotans like to gamble. The state’s charitable pull-tab industry is the biggest in the country, with about a billion dollars bet a year.
“But the market for gaming in the state may have reached a new limit,” via MPR News.
Diversity
Latinos and whites: Getting beyond parallel play?
We asked members of MPR News’ Public Insight Network to tell us about places Latinos and whites make connections. Here’s what we heard, from the YMCA to church to the bakery.
2,300 officers attend Decker funeral
Collegeville, Minnesota, USA — The casket of Cold Spring police officer Thomas Decker is brought out of St. John’s Abbey and University Church on the campus of St. John’s University following Decker’s funeral in Collegeville, Minn. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson). View more photos.
Timeline: Details of the police officer shooting in Cold Spring (MPR News)
2,300 officers attend Decker’s funeral (St Cloud Times)
Flashing lights lined Interstate Highway 94 for miles Wednesday morning as thousands of police officers made their way to St. John’s University on a mission to pay their respects.
About 2,300 law enforcement officers attended the funeral of Cold Spring-Richmond Police Officer Thomas Decker, who was killed in the line of duty late Nov. 29.
Gov. Dayton talks budget
#mDayton, Rep Thissen & Sen Bakk, “We are humbled to be given the chance to show MN what real progress looks like.” twitter.com/GovMarkDayton/…
— Governor Mark Dayton (@GovMarkDayton) November 7, 2012
Gov. Mark Dayton was on Morning Edition with MPR’s Cathy Wurzer and discussed his approach on the state budget. @tomscheck boiled the interview down to the following 5 Tweets.
Dayton sets marker on #mnleg re: hisbudget suggesting those who back his plan have to put forward their own plan to fix the budget.
— tomscheck (@tomscheck) December 6, 2012
Student manager with disability gets dream fulfilled in 24 seconds
“Nick Anderson has cerebral palsy and a love of sports. He got his wish Wednesday when he took to the court to play for Holy Angels,” via MN Basketball Hub.
NHL Lockout: Tense talks expected to resume
Photo by Niklas Morberg via Flickr
“It’s 1 a.m. in the East, and the NHL and the NHL Players’ Association just broke up for the day. They are expected to meet again Thursday afternoon — a third day in a row between a select group of owners and players.
“That’s a good thing because about two hours ago, it nearly blew. But the two sides are working through what’s been a tense-filled, yet productive day as they work toward trying to reach a collective bargaining agreement and end the now-82-day lockout,” via Star Tribune.
No warrant, no problem: How the government can still get your digital data
A new digital privacy bill would make it harder for police to snoop on you. Here’s the data they can get right now: propub.ca/THWwxd
— ProPublica (@ProPublica) December 5, 2012
Outdoors fund to get surprise $1 million
“That money would be in addition to the roughly $92 million the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council is planning to recommend to the legislature for spending beginning July 1, according to council Executive Director Bill Becker.
“The additional money is the result of a new state revenue forecast released Wednesday, Nov. 5, which projected higher sales tax revenues than forecast in February. The Outdoor Heritage Council this summer and fall winnowed applicants for funds down to $92 million, based on that February forecast,” via Pioneer Press.
