Meet the new Gopher coach; new games like keno may fund Vikings stadium

Today in the MPR News Update: Richard Pitino meets Minnesota Gopher fans today. Will we see an expanded lottery to help pay for the Vikings stadium? Whatever happened to that alternative teacher certification plan passed in the Legislature? Who will be elected to lead the state GOP and why? And, Minnesota ranks third on the Opportunity Index.

• Rich Pitino, new Gopher basketball coach, introduced
  Pitino is promising a fast-paced style at Minnesota that the Gophers will love to play and the fans will enjoy watching. He made his first appearance in Minnesota this morning.
• Rick Pitino says son is ready for Minnesota job
  A day after his son Richard Pitino agreed to become the next head coach at Minnesota, Rick Pitino proclaimed the 30-year-old up-and-comer "more than ready" for the challenge.
• U of M Pres. Kaler proposes buying Fairview
  The University of Minnesota is proposing to acquire its partner, Fairview Health Services. Officials from both are slated to meet Monday to discuss the offer.
• Dayton noncommittal on Mayo Clinic financing plan at Rochester town hall
  Gov. Mark Dayton spoke in Rochester Thursday about his proposed state budget.
• Vikings stadium funding needs could mean big changes for state lottery
  And at the Capitol, and out at the Minnesota State Lottery headquarters in Roseville, state officials are already weighing their options for funding the new Vikings stadium - and possibly big changes to the lottery.
• State still waiting for teacher candidates two years into alternative system
  More than two years after Minnesota lawmakers created easier ways for people to get into the teaching profession, the state is still waiting to license a single teacher under the effort. The problem: no organizations have applied for approval to start training under the alternative teacher licensure effort.
• Outside groups take over where Minn. GOP falls short
  The Minnesota Republican Party is deep in debt and facing uncertainty about its future. Meanwhile, several outside groups have formed to start on work that has traditionally been done by the party.
• Minn. ranks 3rd for quality of life in U.S.
  The quality of life in Minnesota is above average, ranking third in the nation according to a national comparison of social and economic factors measuring opportunity.
• Samsung mini-stores propel Best Buy stock
  Shares of Best Buy jumped 13 percent Thursday after Samsung, the big consumer electronics manufacturer, said it will open mini-stores in more than 1,400 of the retailer's locations.
• Minn. town restricts use of drones
  The small Minnesota town of St. Bonifacius is restricting the use of unmanned aerial vehicles or drones.

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Simply, it is Minnesota news on your schedule. The MPR News Update brings you up to speed with the state's top news, the best of our blogs and smart talk radio in the format that fits you best. Subscribe to Phil's podcast or read Hart's take on the best from mprnews.org.

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