Bachmann proves she's still a GOP star
At the Republican National Convention, Rep. Michele Bachmann shows that she's still a political star, former Sen. Norm Coleman tells reporters he's advising Mitt Romney on international affairs and Ron Paul's Minnesota delegates are still waiting to be courted. We have those stories, the latest on Hurricane Isaac, pediatricians opposed to the marriage amendment and more on today's MPR News Update.
Bachmann works the crowd
Eight months after she left the presidential race, Rep. Michele Bachmann still retains a celebrity-like following. Using that, she whipped-up support among fellow Republicans for the Romney-Ryan ticket and downplayed any notion of another presidential run in the future.
Coleman says he advises Romney
Also at the RNC, former Sen. Norm Coleman told reporters in Tampa that he, former Minnesota congressman Vin Weber and former Gov. Tim Pawlenty are part of a small group that meets regularly to analyze international affairs and offer their take to the Romney campaign.
Ron Paul's supporters wait to be courted
As the Republican National Convention celebrated the nomination of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan last night, a solid majority of the Minnesota delegates were backing a different candidate -- Texas Congressman Ron Paul.
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Isaac comes ashore
Hurricane Isaac pushed water over a rural levee to flood some homes, knocked out power and immersed beach-front roads in Louisiana and Mississippi early Wednesday as it began a drenching slog inland from the Gulf of Mexico with a newly fortified New Orleans in its path.
DNR hears cheers, jeers on fight with invasives
After a summer of watching invasive species spread to more lakes, Minnesota lake property owners worry the Department of Natural Resources and local governments are not doing enough to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species.
Good bye to the ivory tower
Ahmed Samatar has been thinking about Somalia for more than 35 years, ever since he left the country to attend the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in his 20s. Now he's getting ready to run for the presidency in his homeland.
Fewer school levy referendums
Of the state's 337 school districts, so far only 36 have told the Minnesota School Boards Association that they plan to ask voters for money this fall through levy referendums. Association officials say the levy requests could go as high as 40 to 50 once final numbers are released.
More trouble at the Minnesota Security Hospital
The number of employee injuries at the state's largest facility for the mentally ill and dangerous has increased rapidly this year, and the number of permanent psychiatrists has dropped from six to one. Internal documents obtained by MPR News show the facility lacks enough doctors to provide coverage to all units.
New mileage standards
The Obama administration has finalized regulations that will force automakers to nearly double the average gas mileage of all new cars and trucks they sell by 2025. The rules mean that all new vehicles would have to get an average of 54.5 miles per gallon in 13 years, up from 28.6 mpg at the end of last year.
Good but limited economic news
The Commerce Department says the U.S. economy grew at a 1.7 percent annual rate in the April-June quarter, boosted by slightly stronger consumer spending and greater exports. That's encouraging news, but growth at or below 2 percent is not enough to lower the unemployment rate.
Still on the state payroll
While Minnesota House Speaker Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Grove, and other Republican leaders call on Rep. Kerry Gauthier, DFL-Duluth, to resign because he brought "dishonor" to the Legislature, an employee of the Minnesota House is drawing a public paycheck even though he's been charged with 12 counts of possessing child pornography.
Pediatricians against the marriage amendment
Basing its decision on decades of scientific data, the Board of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics voted unanimously to oppose the amendment, saying it would demean same-gender parents raising children, and lead to more bullying and hate crimes against gay and lesbian adolescents.
More West Nile cases
Eight new cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Minnesota over the past week. Health officials have identified 35 cases of the mosquito-borne disease in Minnesota this summer, one of which resulted in death.
Get those school immunizations
Many children and teens will need immunizations and checkups before they head back to the classroom this year. MPR's medical analyst Dr. Jon Hallberg offers some advice about what to expect during these appointments.
