Here's a nice video for tourists or even those who live in the outer regions of the state, highlighting the unique features of the most populous urban area in Minnesota, the Twin Cities. According to the video, the Twin Cities area is home to 900 lakes; the Mall of America, the most visited destination in the country; and an "arts explosion," making the Twin Cities a "world-class destination" and consistently voted high on lists of best places to live.

Forbes ranked the Twin Cities No. 20 out of America's 30 most-visited cities.

A government proposal is on the table to provide people in states with an unemployment rate of 8.5 percent or higher an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits. Minnesota's unemployment rate falls just below that cut-off, meaning thousands will be left with no additional support.

Reporter Jessica Miles reports that Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar are pushing for legislation to include all states in the proposal even if they are under the proposed cut-off rate.

A new license plate honoring those fallen during military service will soon be seen on Minnesota roads. Starting Oct. 1 the "Gold Star Families" plates should be available free of charge to any surviving spouse or parent of a soldier who died during active service. Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed the law this spring, making Minnesota one of more than 40 states to have them.

The history behind the gold star dates back to World War I when a mother began wear a gold star to commemorate her son who died in combat.

Researchers at the College of Biological Sciences at the University of Minnesota are looking for ways to create a drug-free cannabis plant, the plant from which marijuana comes. The goal is to remove tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive property of the plant which gets people "high," in order to use the plant for hemp fiber, oil and to create better drugs for pain and nausea.

Hemp and marijuana are difficult to tell apart other than the differences in THC. So far the study shows that in marijuana, tiny hairs on the plant accumulate high amounts of THC, whereas in hemp the hairs have little.

Even though she had long called for investigations of the organization's activities, Rep. Michele Bachmann expressed surprise after watching an undercover video that shows a couple portraying a pimp and prostitute receiving tax advice from an ACORN official on how to shelter money from the government.

She talked about the ACORN controversy in an interview with Human Events, which bills itself as the Headquarters of the Conservtive Underground.

Commenting on the recent "You lie" outburst by Rep. Joe Wilson, Bachmann said he is bearing the situation very well and has made all the proper steps in apologizing. She said she believes some Democrats just want to rub Wilson’s nose in it and won’t let well enough alone to move forward on true health care reform.

Bachmann also says in the interview below that Wilson was telling the truth when it comes to funding health care for illegal aliens. “To have the President of the United States make assertions that are factually not true is really the issue at hand.”

In a skit with a Michele Bachmann character, "Saturday Night Live" offered its own version last night of what happened when Rep. Joe Wilson yelled to President Obama, "You lie!"

Former U.S. Marine Chris Sauro Jr. discusses “The Twins Platoon,” his book about the Vietnam War. Sauro was one of 150 enlistees who, in June of 1967, were sworn in during a Minnesota Twin’s baseball game and then flown out to boot camp before the game ended. Twins announcer Dick Bremer interviews Sauro about the history behind the book.

MinnPost journlists Eric Black and Cynthia Dizikes appeared on the MinnPost stage at the Minnesota State Fair to discuss how political journalism has changed because of the Internet. Dizikes is MinnPost's Washington, D.C, correspondent, one of only two full-time Washington reporters working for a Minnesota news organization. Black started his career writing for newspapers, and now covers state politics for MinnPost. Black and Dizikes explored the much-debated subject of how to define "news organization" and "journalist" in a Web world where almost anyone can create a news blog or website in minutes.

Note the following discussion is split into two parts below.