• Republican Sen. Amy Koch defends her role in the budget talks
    Morning Edition invited Republican Sen. Amy Koch to defend her role in the budget talks.July 1, 2011
  • Shutdown stress begins for state workers, others
    The government shutdown that began early today was affecting state workers, the private sector and families who tried to visit the Minnesota Zoo.July 1, 2011
  • Voters: Why can't our leaders make a deal?
    Minnesotans around the Twin Cities answer the question, "Why do you think the Minnesota legislature and governor reach a budget deal?"July 1, 2011
  • The political dynamics of a shutdown
    This shutdown is much more extensive than the partial shutdown the state saw in 2005. A court order is keeping money flowing to services deemed essential. Reporter Tim Pugmire was up late last night as budget talks broke down.July 1, 2011
  • List: What's open and what's closed in the shutdown?
    A handy list of which state services are closed and which are open in the state government shutdown.July 1, 2011
  • Guards remain, staff gone at Minn. prisons
    Correction officers at state prisons are working without support staff. Daily activities and programs as well as recreation and inmate visits are canceled.July 1, 2011
  • Why couldn't Dayton and the GOP agree on a budget solution?
    Many state government functions are closed Friday, as Gov. Mark Dayton and Republican legislative leaders failed to solve a $5 billion budget shortfall by the June 30 deadline. How did it get to this point, and what can be done to get the state moving again?Midday, July 1, 2011
  • Q & A: How will the shutdown affect roads?
    Metro Transit buses and trains are operating on normal schedules, the Stillwater Lift Bridge is open, but road construction projects have stopped.July 1, 2011
  • Kaler: U of M to operate as normal after shutdown
    Eric Kaler said the school will operate as normal during the shutdown even without money from the state. Classes and research will continue and hospitals and clinics will stay open.July 1, 2011
  • Photos: Eve of the shutdown
    The Minnesota State Capitol was the center of activity on Thursday, June 30, 2011, as Gov. Mark Dayton and Republican legislative leaders tried all day to come up with a last-minute budget agreement to avert a government shutdown. Their efforts failed, even as state employees and others gathered outside to urge them to reach a deal.July 1, 2011
  • State government halts, finger pointing starts
    The Minnesota state government shut down early Friday after budget talks broke down Thursday between Gov. Mark Dayton and GOP legislative leaders.July 1, 2011
  • Analysis of the state government shutdown
    After the governor and legislative leaders failed to reach a budget agreement, Minnesota's state government has shut down. Midmorning gets reaction from around the state.Midmorning, July 1, 2011
  • State government shutdown: Day one
    Minnesota is in the first day of an unprecedented state government shutdown. How long will it last?Midmorning, July 1, 2011
  • Q & A: State employee shares sense of gravity
    Along with members of the public who might be affected by a state government shutdown are approximately 22,000 non-essential state employees who would lose their jobs for an unspecified length of time.June 30, 2011
  • Countdown to a shutdown
    Protesters rallied at the Capitol on Thursday as rest areas, state parks and the Minnesota Zoo prepared to close — all likely victims of a state budget that might not beat the clock. Without a budget agreement between Gov. Dayton and the Legislature, a state government shutdown will officially begin at midnight.June 30, 2011
Photo by AFP/Getty Images

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