This is surprising because it seems like such a good gig. The AP’s Kyle Potter reports, “MNsure’s chief executive is resigning to take another job, the health insurance exchange confirmed Monday, paving the way for a third leadership shakeup at the beleaguered agency in less than two years. … Scott Leitz was set to announce his departure to the exchange’s board of directors in a special meeting Monday afternoon, with plans of taking a job at a health care policy think tank.”
We lost a good one. Over at re/code, Kara Swisher has a nice remembrance of Silicon Valley entrepreneur and Minnesotan David Goldberg, who died last week. “It takes a confident man to take what some would consider a back seat to his better-known wife, but that was not the way Dave saw it. Instead, they rode together in the front seat in a way that was unusual and lovely. I’d often joke about it with him — Dave always got the joke — and he’d laugh, but always in a way that was steeped in pride for her.”
That fire on West Broadway last month nearly took out Minneapolis’ oldest grocery store. The Star Tribune’s Eric Roper takes a trip down memory lane: “At least Brix Meat and Grocery appears to be the oldest in the city, having operated at that location since 1893 — a whopping 122 years. The Star Tribune checked in with Hennepin County library, the city’s architectural historian and the Hennepin History Museum for a more definitive declaration, but all agreed there is no simple way of making that determination. …The store’s origins trace back to 1882, when it opened at 4th and Plymouth avenue, according to a 1950s North Minneapolis Post article dug up by Hennepin County librarians. It specialized in meats and homemade sausage in particular — the groceries came later.”
Outside magazine wants you to vote for the Best Town of 2015. Minnesota muncipalities in the running: Ely (matched up against Saugatuck, MI) and Rochester (also taking on a Michigander, this time Bellaire). Out of the running this year is 2014’s champion, Duluth.
In other news…
The New York Times Magazine’s deep look at black social-media activists focuses on Minneapolis’ own DeRay McKesson.
Update on the effort to bar transgender students from using the bathrooms and locker rooms of the gender they identify with: the Minnesota Senate blocked the measure, so it’s going to come down to the conference committee. [Bluestem Prairie]
When it comes to electronic devices and driving, do as the police say, not as they do. [Star Tribune]
Rep. Keith Ellison is teaming up with Sen. Rand Paul on legislation to “…reclassify some nonviolent drug possession from felonies to misdemeanors.” [Politico]
A 32-year-old Scott Walker offered some unsolicited advice to George W. Bush’s 2000 presidential campaign. [AP]
The story of a retired Hawley, Minnesota nurse’s major fossil find [Inforum]
No more “Fox Sports North Girls” [Star Tribune]
“A Prairie Home Companion” 30-city tour dates announced [AP via MPR]
