Guns, guns, guns: Everyone's talking, but what's to be done?
Today on the MPR News Update: The Connecticut elementary school massacre continues to resonate in Minnesota. Also, we take a look back at how quickly the shooting deaths of police officers are resolved, return for another visit with a man coping with ALS, and tell you about another key departure at Best Buy.
GUN CONTROL? Gun owners responded to an MPR inquiry into what they thought should be the legislative reaction to the mass shooting in Connecticut. Some said an "assault weapons" ban would be ineffective, others disagreed, and yet others want teachers to be armed.
ARMED AT SCHOOL: A staff member at Seward Montessori School in south Minneapolis is on administrative leave after bringing a loaded gun to school Wednesday morning. The staffer, a woman in her late 50s, was escorted from the building. School district officials and Minneapolis police are investigating the incident.
GUN SALES UP: Minnesota firearms sales and requests for permits to carry guns are on the rise after the Sandy Hook school shooting. Local gun sellers say the shooting has prompted customers to buy guns for personal safety, as well as protection against possible future gun restrictions.
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TALKING ABOUT GUNS: We asked Minnesota parents in MPR's Public Insight Network to share their thoughts following the school shooting in Connecticut. We also asked them what it's been like to talk to their children about the incident. We've compiled a selection of their responses here.
AT THE WHITE HOUSE: Appealing to gun owners, President Barack Obama said he believes in the Second Amendment, the country's strong tradition of gun ownership, and the peaceful aims of most American gun owners. "I am also betting that the majority, the vast majority, of responsible law-abiding gun owners would be some of the first to say that we should be able to keep an irresponsible, law-breaking few from buying a weapon of war."
OFFICER DOWN: The killing of Cold Spring Police Officer Thomas Decker last month is the first fatal shooting of a Minnesota law enforcement officer since 1970 that was not solved within a few days, an MPR News analysis has found.
LIVING WITH ALS: Some of us mark time by major life changes or events. The same is true for Bruce Kramer and his family, who will never forget the moment two years ago when he was diagnosed with ALS. He spoke with MPR's Cathy Wurzer for part of her continuing series following his journey with the disease.
TAX LAWSUIT: The Minnesota Supreme Court has ruled that a lawsuit alleging some Minneapolis homeowners paid excess property taxes can go forward in tax court. Attorneys are seeking class action status for the case involving three neighborhoods: Near North, Camden and Phillips.
VERSO FINED: The Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Division has cited Verso Paper Corp. with two serious violations at its mill in Sartell, which was destroyed in an explosion and fire on Memorial Day that killed one worker. According to the agency report issued Wednesday, the violations may have contributed to or caused the accident.
MORROW STEPS DOWN: State Rep. Terry Morrow, DFL-St. Peter says he will vacate his seat before the start of the 2013 legislative session on Jan. 8 to take a job in Chicago as legislative director for the Uniform Law Commission, a non-partisan organization that provides model legislation to states. Morrow also is resigning his faculty position at Gustavus Adolphus College.
ANOTHER BEST BUY DEPARTURE: The Best Buy executive charged with pumping up the struggling retailer's online sales is leaving the company. Stephen Gillett, president of Best Buy Digital, is the latest in a string of top executive departures from the company this year. He will join the Symantec software company as chief operating officer.
THE LIGHT SHOW GOES ON (FOR NOW): Duluth Mayor Don Ness says the city has reached a new deal to continue the Bentleyville Tour of Lights at the city's Bayfront Park. A federal judge has twice ruled against the city for trying to ban "street preachers" from evangelizing at the festival. Festival founder Nathan Bentley said he considered making this the event's last year.
