By David Brauer | Thursday, May 15, 2008

In Thursday's local news roundup, late-breaking news on budget negotiations — is the DFL's property-tax-cap proposal more than a fig leaf? Also, false balance in a Strib report on political conventions and media expulsions. And: protesters will need Tarvaris Jackson's arm to realize Matt Bostrom's nightmare.

By Paul Nolan | Thursday, May 15, 2008

With all the dire predictions of economic doom and gloom, the public was expected to cut back on many discretionary purchases. But there's no clear consensus these days on what items consumers consider "necessary." With tax rebate checks on the way, area businesses are finding — and encouraging — strong sales on everything from vacation travel to mall shopping to video games.

By G.R. Anderson Jr. | Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Sen. Tarryl Clark of St. Cloud has emerged as one of the DFL's leaders at the Capitol in a manner that matches her ambition. Never heard of her? You're not alone. But don't be surprised if it's Gov. Clark someday. 

By David Brauer | Wednesday, May 14, 2008

In Wednesday's local news roundup: Fox9 chronicles local Army recruiting misdeeds. Meanwhile, the Mall of America's owners say a new subsidy plan will kill expansion; legislators say, "so what." And: today's talker — don't bloody your lawyer as a way to get a new one.

By David Brauer | Tuesday, May 13, 2008

In Tuesday's local news roundup: the state may stick Bloomington with the entire Mall of America subsidy bill. Also: the PiPress gets the goods on the Strib land sale. And: today's talker — don't tase me, po'.

By David Brauer | Monday, May 12, 2008

In Monday's local news roundup, the Legislature's look into the I-35W bridge collapse may emphasize a similar Ohio incident. Also, even a subsidized Mall of America expansion must contend with the credit crunch. And: another reported sexual assault in a U dorm. 

In Friday's local news roundup: you've heard of local squad cars with dashboard cams, but now weapons have video capability. Speaking of cameras and driving, WCCO ambushes R.T. Rybak over driving misdeeds. And: a higher state minimum wage sits on the knife's edge of becoming law. 

By Chuck Haga

Friday, May 9, 2008

GRAND FORKS, N.D. — While many states face staggering numbers of home foreclosures, the Dakotas have shown significantly lower rates. Some have attributed that to the lack of an earlier housing boom, others to an "inborn sense of restraint."

It's been six months since MinnPost.com launched, and many of the best-connected journalists in the Twin Cities are now regularly providing our readers with exclusive stories and rich analyses on important topics of the day. On the business side of the enterprise, my report on our nonprofit business model is: so far, so good.