Flood clean up compromises trout stream; Needle sandwich; Walking the snake

Posted at 7:55 AM on July 17, 2012 by Michael Olson
Filed under: Around MN

Needles found in sandwiches on 4 U.S.-bound Delta flights
Reuters: "Delta Air Lines Inc said it was working with federal authorities after what appeared to be sewing needles were found in food on four U.S.-bound flights that left Sunday from Amsterdam, injuring one passenger."

St. Paul Police crime lab under scrutiny in drug case
MPR News: "Attorneys representing a Rochester man charged with drug possession asked a judge Monday to throw out evidence tested by the St. Paul Police Department's crime lab, arguing the lab's results are not reliable."

Naturalists up in arms over downed trees along Chester Creek
"The cutting was so extreme that it will take the stream two to three decades to recover," Deserae Hendrickson, area fisheries supervisor for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources told the Duluth News Tribune. Chester Creek is a designated trout stream, the tree-lined banks kept the water cool and provided excellent shade for the fish. The city hired a contractor to clean up the stream after the devastating floods on June 19.

'It's sentimental': Fallen trees brings mess, sense of loss after July 2 storm
Bemidji Pioneer: "Growing up, Erik Jensen liked to sit under the white pine tree that stood at the end of his family's driveway."

Minneapolis, St. Paul gain as growth shifts from burbs
Star Tribune: "Minneapolis and St. Paul are adding new residents by the thousands, reversing a decades-long trend of population losses to the suburbs and possibly reordering priorities for things like spending on highways and transit."

West Fargo denies request to allow constrictor snakes as pets
Robert Butts said "he only became aware of West Fargo's snake ban this year after the confrontation with other residents at the park. He said he was taking one of his snakes for a walk when he drew attention from onlookers at a softball game," reports the Forum of Fargo Moorhead.

Romney veep selection: Pawlenty, Portman or Jindal
Reuters: "Ohio Senator Rob Portman, former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal all offer various strengths to Romney should he decide to pick one of them to join his battle to unseat President Barack Obama and his vice president, Joe Biden, in the November 6 election."

Op-Ed: The latest shameful attack on Voter ID
Heritage Foundation: "The LWV should be ashamed that it is trying to suppress the vote of Minnesota citizens. Let's hope the Minnesota Supreme Court is not taken in by this discreditable attempt to circumvent the democratic process."

Also on MN Today
Duluth police: 5 heroin overdoses over weekend, one fatal
Out-of-state money floods Minnesota political campaigns
Nolan gets lift from DFL in 8th District
Thief River food-shelf closed temporarily
Despite tragedy, divers not deterred at 'the cribs' in Duluth
Ron Paul's delegate insurgency ends in Nebraska

Fighting pesticide use; Breaking even; When otters attack

Posted at 4:03 PM on July 17, 2012 by Michael Olson
Filed under: Around MN

Anti-pesticide movement gaining ground in Lakes Country
WDAY: "People in Lakes Country say they've had enough. They say pesticides from farm fields keep making them sick. They've part of an anti-pesticide movement that is gaining momentum. Their goal is showing the possible dangers of the air we breathe."

Goodhue County commission tables recommendation on silica mining
Post Bulletin: "With very little discussion, the nine-member board unanimously tabled the issue until July 30 so additional analysis could be done by residents."

10,000 jobs to break even
Minnesota Brown: "Mining wages up. Mining jobs down. New mining jobs unlikely to back-fill losses." More mining coverage

Is it fair to ridicule Romney for his 'retroactive retirement' from Bain?
New Yorker: "The concept of 'retroactive retirement' is well-established. Ben Affleck retroactively retired from the cast of 'Gigli,' thus restoring his bankability as a movie star. As the journalist Matt Yglesias recalled, Michael Jordan retroactively retired from his two seasons playing for the Washington Wizards." More 2012 coverage

Bachmann defends her witch hunt
Salon: "Rep. Michele Bachmann defended her attempt to root out 'deep penetration' by the Muslim Brotherhood into the U.S. government Friday, writing a 16-page letter explaining and expanding on her initial charges against Huma Abedin and others of being terrorist sympathizers." More 2012 coverage

Otter attack victim will dive back into Island Lake this Sunday
Northland News: "The Anoka woman, bitten by an otter 25 times last week in Island Lake, will be diving back in, this Sunday."

Spoof -- Beware: Duluth Attacking Otters

Perfect Duluth Day: "Please, beware of attacking otters in the Duluth area. There is at least one attacking otter on the loose and where there is one.... there has got to be more." Check out PDD for the glory of the full thread.