Polinaut: August 22, 2007 Archive

The Daily Digest: 8-22-07

Posted at 9:15 AM on August 22, 2007 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

The digest was wrapping up yesterday when there was news -The 'Iggles cut Jeremiah Trotter!- and then there was NEWS - Minnesota Health Commissioner Diane Mandernach is resigning!

Mandernach sent an e-mail to staffers late yesterday afternoon. Here's a portion of what she wrote:

To all MDH employees:

It has been a tremendous privilege for me to serve as commissioner of health for the past four and a half years. I must inform you, however, that I will soon be leaving MDH. I have notified Governor Pawlenty that I plan to leave my position, effective October 2. My last day in the office will be September 20. I plan to spend some time with my family before deciding on any future plans.

Governor Pawlenty's office later confirmed in a statement. MPR, the Star Tribune, the Pi Press and AP have stories.

President Bush visits Minnesota to raise money for GOP Sen. Norm Coleman and declares Minnesota a disaster area. He also promises a "flood of help." The flood of help phrase makes both papers.

The House and Senate Transportation committees will hold another hearing today on the I-35W bridge rebuild. The Star Tribune says the state includes light rail in its bridge proposal.

AP says Minnesota had plenty of disasters and the drumbeat for a special session gets a bit louder. Legislative leaders and Governor Pawlenty will talk behind closed doors today.

A special session is probable but the scope is not defined.

AP takes a look at the drug company documents and finds that some state panel members took some cash.

WCCO says there have been plenty of delays at MSP.

Congress

A large part of Minnesota's Congressional delegation encourages President Bush to help the flood ravaged cities in southeastern Minnesota.

FEMA aid could take a month to help those hit by floods in southeastern Minnesota. DFL Rep. Tim Walz opens a satellite office.

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar will visit a few of the flood ravaged cities today.

DFL Rep. Collin Peterson says the U.S. can be energy independent in ten to fifteen years.

2008

KARE-11 says Norm Coleman is walking a "fine line" with the Bush fundraiser.

CQ has a story about those crazy candidates running for U.S. Senate.

The Fix ranks Minnesota's U.S. Senate race #7 (it used to be #5).