State & Local Coverage
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Kelliher Aims At Pawlenty In Latest TV Ad07/18/2010Tim Pawlenty isn't running for Governor, but he is the focus of DFL endorsed candidate Margaret Anderson Kellier's latest TV ad that will start airing this week. Full Video |
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Baby Pictures! Dolphin Born At MN Zoo07/18/2010Press release from Minnesota Zoo: Special Delivery! Dolphin Calf Born at the Minnesota Zoo Apple Valley, MINN – July 18, 2010: The wait is over! After about two hours of labor and twelve months of pregnancy, “Allie,” one of three Atlantic bottlenose dolphins at the Minnesota Zoo, gave birth to a calf on Saturday, July 17, 2010 at 10:51 p.m. The newborn calf, weighing approximately 30 pounds and measuring 2-3 feet long, is the second born to Allie, 23. This is father “Semo’s” fourth calf. The sex of the calf has yet to be determined. “Allie has great maternal skills,” said Marine Mammal Supervisor Diane Fusco. “As mother and calf bonding is critical, Allie followed her calf right up to the water’s surface and the calf has been swimming along side her since. Allie and the calf are taking synchronized breaths and the calf is being maneuvered by Allie so it is not wandering away from her. We'll continue 24-hour observations for the next several weeks to monitor the calf's progress.” Male dolphins play no role in the rearing of their calves, and because the father could become aggressive toward the mother and/or calf or possibly interfere with the mother/calf bonding process, Semo will be introduced to the calf once the calf is strong and well-bonded with Allie. Semo, 45, is believed to be one of the oldest reproducing male dolphins in human care. Marine mammal staff noticed that Allie was close to delivering the afternoon of Friday, July 16 after she refused food. When the calf was born the following evening, it immediately swam to the surface of the pool to take his/her first breath. “The birth was normal, and Allie and the calf appear healthy at this time,” said Minnesota Zoo Senior Veterinarian Jim Rasmussen. “We are encouraged by the calf’s appearance and we are cautiously optimistic about its progress as these first few weeks are precarious for the calf.” The calf is darker in color than Allie and has small whiskers on its rostrum (nose) that will soon disappear. Trainers suspected Allie was pregnant last year when they observed breeding behaviors and noticed her elevated progesterone levels during a series of routine medical examinations. An ultrasound confirmed the pregnancy. To prepare for a healthy calf, marine mammal staff continually monitored Allie’s health by collecting blood and conducting ultrasound examinations. They monitored her appetite and behavior, while conditioning her to spend time in the maternity pool which was used for the birth. In addition to Semo and Allie, the Minnesota Zoo houses Allie’s mom “April,” 42. Dolphin Stadium will be closed today, July 18, 2010, for Allie and the calf to bond and be nurtured. If all goes well, the calf is expected to go on exhibit in the fall. The Minnesota Zoo is located in Apple Valley, just minutes south of Mall of America. For more information, call 952.431.9500 or visit mnzoo.org. The Minnesota Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and an institutional member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). Full Video |
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Hail Hits Central MN - Storm Damage Video Round Up07/18/2010Above: Large hail hits the area in western Stearns county from Sauk Centre to Richmond, MN. The footage shows golfball to base ball sized hail falling while driving and while parked. The hail did a lot of crop damage to the area as well as extreme hail damage around the city of Richmond, MN where houses sustained major hail damage. Additinal footage of a wall cloud over Lake Osakis in Osakis, MN. More storm video below: Shelf cloud near Meeker and McLeod counties Hail in Mound MN Forest Lake MN storm Storm approaches Elk River Full Video |
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Bag Of Pennies Dumped On Governor Candidate As "Tip"07/15/2010By Craig Stellmacher At Tom Emmer's Server Summit, an activist dumps a bag of pennies on him for tips, after a week of political circus develops over his remarks about tip credits and lowering the minimum wage for servers. Emmer is the Republican endorsed candidate for Minnesota Governor. Full Video |
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Full Video-Angry Waiters Confront Governor Candidate Emmer07/15/2010Video by Craig Stellmacher Does Tom Emmer want to cut wages for waiters and waitresses? At a town hall he held in a restaurant, the Republican endorsed candidate for Minnesota Governor repeatedly insisted he does not. But no matter how it is implemented, the "tip credit" policy he says Minnesota needs would reduce the earning power of servers, which angered many in the crowd. Full Video |
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Pogemiller:P awlenty Seeks More "Irresponsib le" Borrowing07/15/2010Legislative Advisory Commission Chair Larry Pogemiller expresses his disagreement with Governor Tim Pawlenty's proposal for short term borrowing for cash flow purposes. Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Tom Hanson was seeking support for a $600 million line of credit. In addition, the department plans to delay payments to school districts and higher education systems to help with cash flow. The Legislative Advisory Commission took no advisory action during the Monday, July 12th, hearing. Below: Press release from State Representative Loren Solberg of the House Ways and Means Committee on Governor Tim Pawlenty's proposal to borrow money. LAWMAKERS PRESS ADMINISTRATION FOR DETAILED CASH FLOW PLAN Governor Tim Pawlenty’s top finance leaders revealed today that another round of emergency budget actions will be necessary to keep Minnesota from running out of money later this year. However, members of the Legislative Advisory Commission declined to support the moves until the administration provides critical details. The Governor has proposed borrowing from schools and public college and universities. He also wants to delay business tax refunds and payments to health providers. “It is difficult to buy into a plan that does not fully exist,” said Rep. Loren Solberg, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. “Once again the Governor wants students, businesses and the sick and elderly to bail him out, but he has no idea how his actions would impact them.” For instance, the administration has proposed withholding another $83 million from school districts and $89 million from the University of Minnesota until next summer. But state finance officials cannot explain how these institutions might deal with such a move. “The Governor’s staff admitted they have only had preliminary talks,” said Solberg. “Schools are already cutting classes and instructors in response to earlier budget cuts. We need to fully understand how they would handle yet another budget blow.” Solberg said other payment delays could also impact Main Street businesses. “If the administration once again delays sales tax refunds, will that force small businesses to lay off workers or delay hiring new ones,” asked Solberg. “All of these cash-flow maneuvers have impacts that the Governor should fully consider before he moves forward.” The Pawlenty administration also wants to secure up to a $600 million line of credit if necessary to keep the state of Minnesota out of the red. Finance officials told lawmakers they will continue to work out the details of their cash flow plan and return with additional information. Full Video |
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Waitress Corrects Emmer On Menu Price & Wage Relationship07/14/2010A waitress from Keys Restaurant reads back Minnesota GOP candidate for Governor Tom Emmer's own words about waitress wages being responsible for increased menu prices at Minnesota restaurants. Tom Emmer responds. Full meeting video to be posted soon. Full Video |
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Waiter Gives Emmer Heat On Minimum Wage07/14/2010"Craziness" is how a waiter at Minnesota Republican Gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer's Town Hall meeting characterized Emmer's proposal for a "tip penalty". What Emmer calls a "tip credit" would allow employers to pay lower than minimum wage to employees who get tips. Full Video |
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Toyota Crash Evidence Sparks Protest For New Trial Of Fong Lee07/13/2010By Bill Sorem Koua Fong Lee ‘s 1996 Toyota was involved in a traffic accident in 2006 that killed 3 people. Lee’s pregnant wife was a passenger in his car and she escaped unharmed. Lee claimed that he attempted to brake, but that his Toyota accelerated into the other car. Toyota’s have since been found to have faulty brake systems that produced similar crashes. Ramsey County Attorney opposes a new trial so Lee remains in prison. There is an evidentiary hearing set for August 2 that could reopen the case. Trudy Baltazar, Cottage Grove, is a complete novice about rallies and protests. She heard the Lee story and became energized to set up a Facebook page and to organize the July 12 rally in front of the Ramsey County Attorney’s office. Full Video |
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Single Payer Health Care Focus For Kelliher, Supporters07/13/2010By Bill Sorem DFL endorsed candidate for Minnesota Governor Margaret Anderson Kelliher fired up her supporters on a weekend of action (dubbed MAKtion by her campaign) at a July 11 Lauderdale, Minnesota rally sponsored by reNEW.mn, a TakeAction program, and Minnesota Health Plan. The door knock focused on the MAK campaign, specifically the single payer universal health coverage plan long championed by State Senator John Marty. reNEW.mn was following thorough on a pre-endorsement pledge to work for whichever of the 3 supported candidates won the DFL endorsement. Marty was one of the contenders for the DFL endorsement. Margaret recently unequivocally endorsed Marty's proposal. Full Video |
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News Roll:
MN Press Releases
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DFL Leaders Push For Health Care Reform
Reps McCollum & Ellison and Mayors Rybak & Coleman fire up volunteers
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MN Future News- See Map Below
MNGOP State Convention Friday, May 18, 02:00 AM
Human Rights & torture Sunday, May 20, 02:00 AM
Sen Franken Hearing On Accretive Health Allegations Wednesday, May 30, 03:00 AM
