The State Fair opens, with everything from wine to swine
In the Update today, the Minnesota State Fair gets underway, Minnesota State Mankato deals with a scandal involving allegations of child pornography, and a legislative seat the DFL once had locked up is now up for grabs. And we look at the challenges faced by Minnesotas two premiere orchestras, and whether both can survive.
State Fair, from swine to wine
The Minnesota State Fair opened its gates this morning for another 12-day run, and Minneapolis resident Brian Motiaytis was the first in line at the Snelling Avenue gate, eager to carry on where he left off last year: Spending each and every hour of the day at the Great Minnesota Get Together.
Send in those State Fair photos
News Cut's Bob Collins has put out a call for your Minnesota State Fair stories and photos so he can post them on the blog. Meanwhile he's occupying himself with a trip back in time, browsing the Minnesota Historical Society's collection of fair photos.
Age helps bridge the language gap
As anyone who has tried to learn a foreign language knows, the key to fluency is speaking that new language as much as possible. That's exactly what the students in the University of Minnesota's intensive English program have set out to do, with the help of some retirees.
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Mankato reacts to the coach's arrest
Thursday is move-in day at Minnesota State University in Mankato and thousands of new students will descend on campus to prepare for a new school year. In addition to student orientations and new roommates, they'll encounter a community reeling with disbelief, as the university's head football coach faces accusations involving child pornography.
Gauthier's rest stop scandal
Embattled DFL state Rep. Kerry Gauthier emerged from seclusion yesterday morning to announce he would seek re-election. But after a day of pounding criticism, he changed his mind and withdrew from the race, having admitted to having a sexual encounter with a 17-year-old boy at a highway rest stop.
The culture wars overrun the economy
Mitt Romney wanted to preside over a made-for-TV gathering showcasing his economic credentials and GOP unity. Instead, he's heading to Tampa with the national debate focused on rape and abortion and with the divisions within his party -- and with running mate Paul Ryan -- on full display.
More bad drought news
As the nation's drought deepens, Minnesota is getting drier too. New data from the U.S. Drought Monitor on Thursday shows more than half of Minnesota is now rated at least abnormally dry. Fifty-two percent of the state is now either abnormally dry or formally in drought.
The 'Smokey Bear' effect
Scars from thousands of sections of tree rings show how often fires burned in the U.S. Southwest down through history; It was every five or 10 years, mostly. But things have changed, and experts point to what they call the "Smokey Bear" effect as part of the reason why.
West Nile virus cases on the rise
The Minnesota Department of Health says the number of human cases of West Nile virus in the state this year has increased to 27, up from 20 on Monday. But so far, the mosquito-borne virus has caused only one death in the state.
Deal reached for flood relief
Gov. Mark Dayton announced Wednesday that he had reached an agreement with House and Senate leaders on a $167 million package of state assistance. He had originally proposed $190 million in relief, but Republicans thought that number was too high
Do we need two orchestras? Can both survive?
Minnesota's two premier orchestras are facing tough financial dilemmas this fall that could alter the state's classical music landscape by changing musicians' pay, ticket prices and even musical quality. To help understand the expected controversy, we've created a guide to some key facts.
