Minnesota’s most conservative Democrat is feeling the Bern. Inforum’s Patrick Springer writes: “Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., said he would vote for Bernie Sanders if he attends the Democratic National Convention as a superdelegate. … Sanders was the favorite in Peterson’s 7th District during the Minnesota Democratic caucuses on Tuesday, March 1. … ‘I’m voting my district,’ Peterson said. ‘I’m going to vote for Bernie.’”
Does this include hazard pay? Over the weekend, the Star Tribune’s Alejandra Matos reported: “Schoolteachers may not be the highest paid people around, but many who work in St. Paul do better than most of their peers in Minnesota. … More than half of all teachers in St. Paul earn more than $75,000 a year, wages not seen by most teachers across the state. Teachers in St. Paul will soon see even higher wages with the just-approved contract between the union and the school district that will boost salaries by 4 percent by July.”
Scabs so fast you’ll freak? MPR’s Elizabeth Dunbar reports: “A federal appeals court has upheld a decision that faults the owner of 10 Jimmy John’s franchises in the Twin Cities for violating the union organizing rights of six employees. … The National Labor Relations Board had found that Mik Lin Enterprises illegally fired or disciplined workers involved in union activity. The workers had distributed fliers about a dispute over sick leave.”
Gene McCarthy, Vietnam war-opponent. Gene McCarthy, presidential candidate. Gene McCarthy, poet? The Pioneer Press’ Mary Ann Grossman reports: “McCarthy’s opposition to the war is well documented, but many don’t know that he was also a serious and published author and poet, a form he began to work in during the 1960s. He wrote 21 books, including some on American history, economics and politics as well as a children’s book and five books of poetry, of which one of the best known is ‘Selected Poems’ (Lone Oak Press, 1997). A commemoration of the 100th anniversary of McCarthy’s birth will include readings by St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and others on Tuesday.”
In other news…
Brazil’s sending him back: “Accused cult leader Barnard may be heading back to Pine County” [Star Tribune]
Bad news for the taconite industry: “Essar Steel Minnesota heads toward bankruptcy” [Duluth News Tribune]
East metro commuters might want to skip I-94 this summer. [Star Tribune]
We don’t know what NYT columnist Tom Friedman is going to say in this “Growing Up in St. Louis Park” talk but we’re guessing it’s got something to do with globalization. [Eventbrite]
Twin Cities Pride kicks off in St. Paul for the first time. [The Growler]
Duluth’s Homegrown Music Festival hits the Range. [Minnesota Brown]
