House and Senate lawmakers began meeting this week to hammer out a bonding plan for some of the state's biggest building projects. Folks in northern Minnesota are upset that some of the projects they support were cut out of the House bonding bill. (03/03/2005)

The Minnesota Senate unanimously approved legislation Thursday to strictly control the sale of cold and allergy medicines used to make methamphetamine. (03/03/2005)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty and three tribes have reportedly reached a deal on a Twin Cities casino venture between the tribes and the state. The governor and tribal leaders are set to unveil the details of the plan Friday. (03/03/2005)

A Minnesota House committee dealt a serious - and potentially final - blow to a proposed ban on smoking in restaurants around the state when the measure failed on a voice vote Wednesday. (03/02/2005)

Some Minnesota school children can't get in-state tuition to Minnesota's colleges and universities. But that might change soon. A bill before the Legislature would give Minnesota students who are not legal residents of the United states the right to pay the same amount as kids who were born here. (03/02/2005)

New numbers show the state economy lost 5,600 jobs between December and January. That doesn't bode well for the state budget forecast, released this week, which relies on the economy to add 44,000 new jobs this year. (03/01/2005)

Nearly 6,000 people gathered outside the state Capitol Monday to show their support of public schools. (03/01/2005)

State finance officials say Minnesota's budget deficit has shrunk to a projected $466 million for the next two years. That's about a third smaller than the number predicted in December. Gov. Pawlenty and Republican leaders hailed the news, while DFLers said the forecast shows the state's budget woes persist. (02/28/2005)

State lawmakers are under a lot of pressure this year to increase funding for public schools. The pressure is increasing as many parents are tired of budget problems in local schools. (02/28/2005)

The number of people who are living in Minnesota without health insurance is on the rise for the first time in 15 years. A study by the Minnesota Health Department and the University of Minnesota says there are 77,000 more people without health insurance than in 2001. (02/25/2005)

Three northern Minnesota Indian tribes are closing in on an agreement with the state to build a Twin Cities area casino. The proposed half-billion dollar entertainment and hotel complex would be operated by the tribes through the Minnesota State Lottery. Not all tribal members are convinced the plan is a good idea. (02/24/2005)

A bill that would legalize Texas Hold'em tournaments cleared its first legislative hurdle on Wednesday. It's one of the smaller gambling proposals lawmakers are likely to consider this session. (02/23/2005)

The Minnesota House has overwhelmingly passed an $816 million package of public works projects. And as part of the legislation the House has, for the first time, approved some seed money for the proposed Northstar commuter rail line between Minneapolis and Big Lake. (02/22/2005)

The House Health Policy and Finance Committee signed off Tuesday on legislation that would hike cigarette taxes 99 cents a pack and cut three health care taxes for small businesses. (02/22/2005)

A proposed indoor smoking ban for Minnesota bars and restaurants has cleared another legislative hurdle. The Senate Commerce Committee approved the measure Monday on a 9-7 vote. (02/21/2005)