The papers are full of the St. Paul corruption allegation story. I will fight my impulse to say wake me up when someone's indicted and give you a quick rundown. First of all Mayor Randy Kelly confirmed on Tuesday that the allegation involves one of his top staffers, Sia Lo. Lo has denied any wrongdoing. Kelly is also trying to blame his political opponents for leaking the story. Here's what the Star Tribune is saying:

Hours after St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly angrily confirmed Tuesday that his assistant Sia Lo is the target of an FBI corruption probe, ex-Police Chief William Finney urged that a federal grand jury be convened in the case.

Kelly blamed unnamed political enemies seeking to derail his reelection campaign for leaking information that Lo is under investigation. Kelly described the allegations as "of a serious and grave nature" but stressed he will consider Lo innocent "unless there is evidence to suggest otherwise."

Finney was one of the first and few city officials to know about the allegations of corruption against Lo before they were made public in a Star Tribune report Tuesday.

Two sources with knowledge of the case have told the Star Tribune that Lo allegedly demanded a bribe last year from a businessman interested in doing a real estate deal with the city. Kelly declined to discuss details of the investigation, saying he was instructed by FBI agents to stay silent.

By the way, Finney says he's not trying to smear Kelly, even though he supports Kelly's opponent Chris Coleman. Speaking of the mayor's race, Kelly picked up the endorsement of a few Democrats. Here's the story from the Pioneer Press:

St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly announced Tuesday the backing of two longtime Democratic heavyweights, U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar and U.S. Senator Mark Dayton, and swore his allegiance to the DFL party as he seeks a second term this fall.

Kelly was flanked at a news conference by several other members of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor party, including past St. Paul city leaders and out-of-town legislators, as if to show he has not entirely burned his bridges with DFLers after endorsing President Bush last year.

"In spite of speculation that I might become a Republican, that I might take a position in the Bush administration, I am here," Kelly said. "I'm a Democrat, I've been a Democrat all my life, I intend to remain a Democrat."

His critics, however, pointed out that none of the state officeholders who currently represent St. Paul showed up to support Kelly. "Maybe he looks better from farther away," quipped House Minority Leader Matt Entenza, DFL-St. Paul.

Also noticeably absent was Kelly's own Congresswoman, Rep. Betty McCollum, DFL-St. Paul, whom the mayor said he didn't have the opportunity to invite.

Hmmm...let's see, did I invite everybody? Anybody I'm forgetting? Hmmm...can't think of anyone...

Back at the Capitol the smoking ban is ready for a few more rounds. Here's MPR's Michael Khoo:

The Senate Health and Family Security Committee gave the smoking ban its blessing and forwarded it on to the next committee stop.

The plan would ban smoking in all indoor public spaces, statewide. Supporters of the measure cite studies identifying second-hand smoke as a health hazard and carcinogen. Opponents, however, say a ban would drive smoking customers away from bars and restaurants.

Several Minnesota cities and counties have already adopted local bans that differ in the types of businesses covered. A smoking ban is also under consideration in the House, but that measure exempts bars from the state prohibition.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty has said he supports a smoking ban, but hasn't advanced a specific proposal of his own.

And remember that sales tax increase proposal that was floating around Minneapolis City Hall? It's chances don't look good. here's Rochelle Olson's story from the Star Tribune:

Minneapolis City Council President Paul Ostrow told his colleagues Tuesday that it's time to lead by raising the city sales tax a half cent.

But the three council members at the Intergovernmental Relations Committee meeting weren't inclined to follow.

Council Member Lisa Goodman said: "If you want to be the person to lead the charge for increasing taxes in the city of Minneapolis, more power to you."

She had nothing but criticism for Ostrow's proposal after hearing from city lobbyist Gene Ranieri, who said that any effort to increase the sales tax probably would result in a reduction of local government aid.

Ranieri said he has heard preliminary talk at the State Capitol that if cities seek to increase sales taxes, there will be offsetting cuts in aid.

Committee Chairman Scott Benson said: "That would eliminate any benefit from a sales tax."

Goodman said: "I don't see why we would move forward on something that our own lobbying team would see as a possible detriment."

Finally Cathy Wurzer pointed out this item from the Chicago Sun-Times.

Rumble is former Minnesota Gov. Jesse "The Body" Ventura, the former pro wrestler, is thinking about tackling the U.S. Senate. One governmental body builder is enough.

I wonder if he'll do that before or after his run for president?