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Front Page: Stocks Rally on Bailout Plan, I-35 Bridge Has First Day, South Korea Withdraws Troops, Prison Riots

CitizenSugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 07:00:47 -0700

Stocks Rally on Bailout Plan:
European stocks rebounded sharply after US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson announced yesterday evening plans to introduce new laws to buy hundreds of billions of bad debt from struggling banks. Options include establishing a government agency to buy bad loans, a plan that could, "ultimately undermine the dollar, push up inflation" according to one expert.

I-35 Bridge Has First Day:
The rebuilt I-35 W Bridge in Minneapolis had its first full day of service yesterday, three months ahead of schedule. Hundreds of vehicles lined up on both sides of the span to inch across shortly before 5 a.m. The 10-lane, $234 million span replaced the bridge that collapsed on August 1, 2007, killing 13 and injuring 145.

South Korea Withdraws Troops:
South Korea is set to completely withdraw its remaining troops in Iraq by the end of the year. The country has had troops stationed in Iraq for a reconstruction mission at the request of the US. From a high of 3,600 troops, now only 520 remain. The Defense Minister said, "There is no more need for us to stay there."
More Than 20 Die in Prison Riots:
Over 20 inmates in an overcrowded Tijuana prison died in riots this week according to police. The violence broke out after a prisoner died, apparently after abuse from a guard. The prison was built to hold 3,000 and now houses 8,000.

Grads Tossed For Rebel Flag — Has the Meaning Changed?

CitizenSugar — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 06:00:58 -0700

Three seniors in Bloomington, MN, missed walking in their graduation last night as punishment for displaying the Confederate flag on their trucks. For displaying the flag, the three were suspended from all school activities including their own graduation ceremony.

"The Confederate flag is a symbol of, in some cases, hatred, bigotry and it has the potential to create a very disruptive environment," said a spokesperson for the Bloomington School District, on the decision to punish the three. Officials say the Student Code of Conduct prohibits behavior that may provoke or offend other students.

The Confederate flag controversy isn't new, but this part caught my attention — to see how the students defend the actions and the flag,

Huge Storms Swipe Iowa and Minnesota Killing Eight

CitizenSugar — Mon, 26 May 2008 07:04:59 -0700

Storms brought huge hail, heavy rain and tornadoes to Iowa and Minnesota this weekend, killing at least seven people in Iowa and one 2-year-old in Minnesota.

The raging storms left parts of towns reduced to rubble and heavy rain and lightning continued with wind gusts of 70 mph. The National Weather Service pegs the storms to a massive warm system that had been centered over the southern and western great Plains several days ago. Moving north into Minnesota and Canada, the cold high that followed sparked severe storms.

Nearly 100 people have died in tornadoes so far this year — the biggest death toll in a decade — and the danger has not passed yet. Tornado season typically peaks in the spring and early summer.

Source

US Senator From Minnesota: Jesse Ventura vs. Al Franken?

LibertySugar — Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:23 -0700

Jesse Ventura is hinting at a run to be the US Senator from Minnesota this fall. Only problem, there is already an eccentric and popular personality with his hat in the ring — satirist Al Franken! Let's compare credentials. Franken has worked on Saturday Night Live, and written books like Lies and the Liars Who Tell Them. He is also a pioneer of progressive talk radio.Jesse "The Body" Ventura is a former governor of Minnesota, Navy veteran, and radio and TV host. Oh and don't forget — he's also a veteran of professional wrestling. Who would you like to see in the Senate — the wrestler or the comedian? Are both skills equally suited to Congress?Source

US Senator From Minnesota: Jesse Ventura vs. Al Franken?

Jesse! He'll bring his independent spirit to the Washington Ring.

Al! He never backs down from progressive values, and Washington needs some humor.

Other. I'll tell you in the comments.

Funny Man Al Franken's Campaign Flummoxed by Blogger

CitizenSugar — Sat, 03 May 2008 09:00:52 -0700

Al Franken, former SNL funny man turned face of Air America is the Senate candidate running for election in Minnesota, interested in discussing problems that concern his constituents. You know the good issues like jobs, health care, and the environment. Enter the blogosphere. Oops. Unfortunately for the Franken campaign, what he's now being forced to discuss is his failure to pay his income taxes on time. To the tune of $70,000 in 17 different states.

Republican blogger Michael Brodkorb started the blog MinnesotaDemocratsExposed and scooped the mainstream media to out Franken's suspicious bookkeeping and calls Franken “mean spirited and un-Minnesotan” candidate behind a “desperate and ridiculous” campaign. Franken says of the blog, "when people talk about the right wing noise machine, that's what it is." Brodkorb says, "I do think it has some influence right now, but that's never what I sat down to do. This was always about a political junkie looking for an outlet."

Franken is taking on Republican incumbent Senator Norm Coleman.

But, Al — if it's true, how is it noise?

Source

Minnesota Bridge Collapse: Deal Reached To Compensate Victims

CitizenSugar — Fri, 02 May 2008 08:55:08 -0700

Minnesota Bridge Collapse: Deal Reached To Compensate Victims State lawmakers said Friday they reached a $38 million agreement to compensate victims of the Minneapolis bridge collapse that killed 13 people and injured 145 others.

Would You Rather Party with the Democrats or Republicans?

LibertySugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 10:00:16 -0700

Minnesota lawmakers want Republicans to get drunk. Well, not exactly, but they are considering a law that would keep bars serving alcohol until 4 am and liquor stores open on Sundays for the 11 days surrounding the Republican National Convention this summer. Last call is currently 2 am.Establishments located within a 11 mile radius of the convention center would feel the alcohol love. Either Minnesota politicians are afraid a dry convention wouldn't be any fun, or they're trying to find a way to help the businesses rake in a few more dollars. The Republican convention will be held at St. Paul from September 1st through 4th, and about 35,000 visitors are expected to attend. The Democrats will be gathering in Denver in late August. Which convention would you rather attend?Source

Would You Rather Party with the Democrats or Republicans?

Democrats! There are sure to be some passionate people, as well as some fireworks.

Republicans! Save me the drama, I just want to have some Grand Ole Fun!

Somali Women in the US Join Together for Business Success

CitizenSugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:32 -0700

Somali women living in Minneapolis, one of the nation's largest concentration of Somali immigrants, are using a custom of home to great business success. Though the women have owned small shops for years, they're pooling their money and moving on up. Relying on a collective model used in Somalia — plus two years of planning — 21 women have socked away $500 apiece. Adding donations of two business groups of $20,000 they're ready to develop their very own mall of shops.

Their mall will be the first such women's Somali cooperative in the country, according to people involved in the enterprise. It gets even more impressive, just