Minnesota's emergency operations center was up and running Thursday for any contingencies brought on by America's war in Iraq. Meanwhile, some 1,000 students rallied on the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis to protest the war. (03/20/2003)

U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld says the impact of a coalition forces strike on a leadership compound near Baghdad is being assessed. More analysis on the war follows. ( 03/20/2003)

Economists are concerned about the negative impact of a war and the cost of rebuilding Iraq will have on the U.S. economy. Before the fighting begins, the stock market and the Federal Reserve are reacting to looming conflict. ( 03/20/2003)

Local anti-war protesters wasted little time Wednesday night reacting to news that the U.S. has begun military strikes against Iraq. The activists say they won't back down, and will increase the number and intensity of their protests. (03/20/2003)

As an attack on Iraq becomes more likely, Minnesotans grew more anxious on Wednesday. Beefed-up security at major locations in the state, coupled with protest preparations, made it clear the effects of the coming war will be felt at home almost immediately. (03/19/2003)

Saddam Hussein has rejected President Bush's ultimatum to go into exile or face war. Iraqis are bracing for a U.S.-led attack. The White House says rejecting President Bush's ultimatum is Saddam Hussein's "final mistake." White House spokesman Ari Fleischer won't rule out a U.S. attack even before Bush's 48-hour clock runs out late Wednesday. Some 250-thousand troops are loading their ammunition in the Kuwaiti desert. ( 03/19/2003)

Leaders of Twin Cities labor unions are organizing an anti-war campaign. Representatives of more than a dozen unions representing steelworkers, transportation and communications workers, clerical workers, hospital employees and others have formed a new group, <i>Twin Cities Labor Against the War</i>. (03/19/2003)

It may begin with what the U.S. military is calling &quot;smart bombs&quot;, followed by rapid deployment of troops. War could happen as soon as Wednesday night to try to rid Iraq of Saddam Hussein, his supporters and weapons of mass destruction. ( 03/19/2003)

Student organizers at the University of Minnesota say they expect students from 26 area schools to walk out the day after bombing begins in Iraq. (03/19/2003)

President Bush moved inexorably Monday toward war with Iraq, declaring that diplomacy had come to an empty end. Saddam Hussein gave no sign he would bow to American demands to choose exile over armed conflict. &quot;The moment of truth is arriving,&quot; said Secretary of State Colin Powell after a decision to withdraw a United Nations resolution without a vote. We hear the current news and various reactions to the possible war with Iraq. ( 03/18/2003)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty says Minnesota is prepared to deal with terrorist threats that may follow the beginning of war with Iraq. President Bush warned Monday night that a war could trigger terrorist attacks in the U.S. Minnesotans will notice more security at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and at other public places. (03/18/2003)

President Bush has given Iraqi president Saddam Hussein an ultimatum to leave his country or expect to be forcibly disarmed. UN personnel have been instructed to evacuate after efforts to delay conflict collapsed. ( 03/18/2003)

President Bush will be addressing the nation tonight as a U.S.-led war with Iraq appears imminent. White House spokesman Ari Fleischer says the president will give Saddam Hussein a final ultimatum, saying that to avoid war, Saddam must &quot;leave the country.&quot; The White House scheduled the address after U.S., British and Spanish diplomats announced they won't pursue a U.N. vote on their resolution to give Saddam an ultimatum or face war. ( 03/17/2003)

As the U.S., Britain and Spain work on a resolution holding Iraq to a disarmament deadline that will garner enough votes on the United Nations Security Council, some question whether any international organization really has the power to prevent the use of force by nations against others. ( 03/17/2003)

It's a popular notion that war is good for the economy. But as U.S. troops mass on the border of Iraq, Minnesota experts doubt war will help the state's struggling economy. Over the last two years, Minnesota has lost 57,000 jobs. Three-quarters of those jobs have been in the manufacturing sector. Traditionally, manufacturers have benefited the most from military spending. However, state economists say a war in Iraq is unlikely to help them. (03/16/2003)