“An important part of Minnesota’s economy depends on finding new uses for wood, and making rayon from trees could be one of those new uses,” via Star Tribune.
Minnesota Today from MPR News
December 10, 2012
A Dakota trail of tears to Mankato; a return to winter
Today on the MPR News Update, we report on questions being asked about the ethical behavior of a St. Cloud state lawmaker, a trail of tears from South Dakota to Mankato, and the more than 16 inches of snow that fell on parts of Minnesota over the weekend. We'll look at the weather first.
Photo: Snow globe
Snow isn’t so bad, I guess. #snow #Caesar #Minnesota twitter.com/TomBullington/…
— Tom Bullington (@TomBullington) December 10, 2012
Gov. Dayton opposes eased marijuana laws, supports same-sex benefits
Marijuana joint photo by Torben Hansen via Flickr.
“Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton remains resistant to decriminalizing the possession of marijuana for medical or recreational use, despite recent steps other states have taken to relax their laws.
“Dayton, a Democrat, addressed the issue in a wide-ranging interview Friday, Dec. 7, declaring, ‘I don’t think we need another drug operating in our society,’” via Pioneer Press.
Snowstorm by the numbers
Check out a great pic from Lindsey Hanson showing Bears & Vikes fans pushing a stuck bus together. cbsloc.al/QRgY10 twitter.com/WCCO/status/27…
— WCCO (@WCCO) December 10, 2012
- Most snow: Sacred Heart, Minn.: 17.3″ (Weather.com)
- More than 590 crashes, with 61 injuries and one death, occurred since 9:30 p.m. Saturday (Pioneer Press).
- Around 150 flights at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport were canceled (MPR News).
- Record breaker in St. Cloud where 11″ fell on Dec. 9. Previous single day record was 9.8″ on Dec. 22, 1968 (mult).
Little Falls-area man accused of shooting teens had surveillance system that recorded break-in
“The man accused of shooting two teenagers who broke into his Little Falls-area home on Thanksgiving Day had a surveillance system at his home that recorded video of the teens as they broke into his home.
“Byron David Smith, 64, also had a digital audio recorder running when he shot the teens, and it recorded audio of the shooting,” via St. Cloud Times.
Collin Peterson faces struggle for relevance
Rep. Collin Peterson seated in his Washington office. MPR photo/Brett Neely
“In the early years of President Obama’s administration, members of the Blue Dog Coalition, a conservative Democratic caucus, were among the most influential in the House. Leaders from both parties coveted their swing votes on legislation ranging from federal health care to budget bills.
“Now the Blue Dogs’ bark has become more of a whimper. Political forces have decimated their ranks and influence, leaving just 15 members of a pack that once stood more than 50 strong,” via Star Tribune.
Top 5
Digging out; Lawmaker conflict of interest?; Rep. Peterson struggles for relevance
- Massive snowstorm blankets region, hobbling commute (MPR News)
- Possible conflict of interest: GOP legislators who pushed MinnCare cuts under scrutiny for ties to insurers (MPR News)
- Minn. GOP regroups eyes plans for the legislature, Gov. and Sen. races (WCCO/AP)
- Little Falls-area man accused of shooting teens had surveillance system that recorded break-in (St Cloud Times)
- Collin Peterson faces struggle for relevance (Star Tribune)
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Vikings beat Bears 21-14: Adrian Peterson, Defense keep playoff dream alive
“Everyone in the stadium knows Adrian Peterson is going to get the ball when the Minnesota Vikings are on offense. No one seems to know how to stop him once he does.
“His sights set squarely on 2,000 yards, Peterson’s latest jaw-dropping performance also made sure the Vikings can keep their eyes on the playoffs,” via HuffPo.
Happiness is a carrot nose
Happiness is a carrot nose on St Paul’s West Side #tellmpr twitter.com/juliaolmstead/…
— Julia Olmstead (@juliaolmstead) December 9, 2012
