While both the Senate and House health-care bills guarantee access to health insurance regardless of pre-existing conditions, neither one will do much to improve the affordability of health coverage for moderate to middle-income Americans in the individual market, according to wonks and critics across the political spectrum.

Here's the second installment of my interview with columnist Katherine Kersten. I asked her about where conservatism is headed, President Obama and the role religion plays in her world view. Second of two articles.

Part One: Katherine Kersten on liberals, same-sex marriage and life at the Star Tribune

New figures released today show Minnesota's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged slightly higher in October, but economists say this indicator doesn't give us the full jobs picture.

Perhaps no columnist in town raises a liberal's blood pressure more than Katherine Kersten. I talked with Kersten about liberal rage and other topics. First of two articles.

David Brauer: The Star Tribune op-ed page's war on Kersten

Described as a showman "first and last," the colorful theater impresario ran for mayor of Minneapolis in 1933 — and won.

Arts Arena: Finally, Shubert to break ground by Camille LeFevre

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A health care bill before the Senate will cost $849 billion over the next 10 years and extend coverage to 98 percent of legal residents, according to a Congressional Budget Office estimate released Wednesday that Minnesota Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken praised as "very positive" and "promising."

Appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Attorney General Eric Holder said today prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty for alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed during his upcoming trial in New York. After Holder’s testimony, Sen. Al Franken said: "I support showing the mastermind of 9/11 the meaning of American justice in our courts."

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Capitol Visitor Center prominently displays the words "In God We Trust," and House Republicans are attempting to keep it written there.

The House position was a foregone conclusion, but today's committee meeting was filled with intriguing views of future battles, including a likely legislative effort to rein in the governor's powers.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid faces a political and procedural obstacle course to pass a health care bill in the Senate. Minnesota political experts explore his options. "This is all a game right now," says one.

Margaret Anderson Kelliher picks up the support of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, her first labor endorsement. Labor, though, has been sprinkling endorsements across the massive DFL field, diluting its own role as a king- — or queen- — maker at April’s state DFL convention.

In light of recent disasters such as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, institutions across the nation have updated their emergency procedures. Minnesota's legal system is no exception to this trend, and it is taking a variety of steps to deal with disaster scenarios.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. — The author of the cooperatives alternative to public option said today that a bill containing both co-ops and a public option might win favor in Congress yet this year.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Obama mentioned each of the 13 deceased by name. He praised Pfc. Kham Xiong as "a husband and father who followed his brother into the military because his family had a strong history of service."