Grim outlook for Beargrease race, St. Croix bridge an “albatross,” woman leads Mass

Outlook not good for Beargrease sled dog race

WDIO: "The possibility this year's Beargrease Sled Dog Race will go ahead on schedule is looking bleak, due to the continued lack of snow. Officials say if things don't look a little whiter by next Monday the race could be shortened, postponed or worse canceled."

McCollum: St. Croix River Crossing is an albatross

Rep. Betty McCollum writes in the Star Tribune: "I oppose the bridge as planned because there are many other needs."

Woman makes stand at altar by leading local Mass

St Cloud Times: "Mary Frances Smith realizes what she is doing is shocking to some or blasphemous to others.Smith risks being excommunicated by the Catholic Church for celebrating Mass on Sunday at St. John's Episcopal Church in St. Cloud."

Grand Forks homeless shelter overflowing with demand

WDAY: "Although we've had a mild winter--it hasn't made things easier at the Northland Rescue Mission. The shelter is housing at least 115 more people than it can hold."

Mankato parks workers aren't giving up on skating rinks

Mankato Free Press: "It's been a frustrating winter for people who like to skate on outdoor rinks and for the people who create them, but Mankato parks workers aren't yet ready to throw in the towel and open the municipal swimming pool instead."

Minnesota's new GOP chair thinks ideas can trump turmoil

Star Tribune: "The man riding to the rescue of the state's Republican Party may be the best-connected political figure you've never heard of."

Thornton back in at LCCMR

Political Animal: "The top staffer of a state office that helps funnel Minnesota lottery proceeds to environmental projects has not been terminated. Or was never terminated. Or has been un-terminated. Or her termination has been suspended."

Racino odds go up as Minnesota Senate changes leaders

KSTP: "Senator Dave Senjem is now in as Majority Leader. And, Senator Claire Robling is a new Assistant Majority Leader. Both Senjem and Robling are huge proponents of Racino gaming as a possible revenue source to build a new Vikings stadium."

News anchor, anti-abortion activist to be the 'face' of Minnesota anti-gay marriage amendment

Washington Independent: "Kalley King Yanta, a former anchor for a Minneapolis-based television station and an anti-abortion-rights activist, has joined the Minnesota for Marriage group to anchor videos intended to convince Minnesotans to vote for the anti-gay-marriage amendment on the ballot in 2012."

Minnesota has put certain tax cuts on autopilot

MinnPost: "On July 1 this year, Minnesota's highway fuel tax will go up a half-penny to 28.5 cents a gallon, the last of seven phased increases that began in 2008. Absent legislative action, it won't go up again -- ever. Before you raise a cheer, let's consider what that may mean for the safety, comfort, efficiency and even the cost of driving in the long run."

What in the name of winter is going on?

Mankato Free Press: "So brown grass allows the daytime temperatures to rise higher than would happen with a sparkling blanket of white snow. The lack of snow also means there isn't much melting and evaporation, processes that consume energy that otherwise can feed higher air temperatures."

WGTN-TV 3 makes the move to live streaming

Worthington Daily Globe: "Snowbirds heading out of the area for the winter no longer have to worry about missing little Johnny's basketball game, and citizens wanting to peek in on the Nobles County Board meeting without showing up at the Government Center are in luck."

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