Few substantive differences emerge among 8th District DFL candidates

Three DFLers debate in Duluth to challenge Cravaack

MPR News: "Three DFLers are vying to run against the freshman, state Sen. Tarryl Clark, former congressman Rick Nolan, and former Duluth City Council President Jeff Anderson. Each tried to make a distinct case at a candidates' forum in Duluth on Thursday night. In front of a crowd of about one hundred people at the College of St. Scholastica, all three voiced their support for a single-payer health care system, reduced spending on the military, and for increased investment in infrastructure, including the proposed Northern Lights Express rail line between the Twin Cities and Duluth. ... They also all support controversial copper-nickel mines in the region, as long as sufficient environmental safeguards are in place. Anderson, who grew up in Ely, spoke most plainly about his support for mining."

Duluth News Tribune: "If the just more than 100 people at a 90-minute forum were looking for distinction among the three Democratic candidates hoping to unseat U.S. Rep. Chip Cravaack, it was hard to find Thursday night." The Northland News Center also has a story about the forum.

Also on Minnesota Today

U.S. Senate candidates share concerns, priorities

Bemidji Pioneer: "The four candidates seeking the Republican endorsement for U.S. Senate all agree that Amy Klobuchar needs to be replaced, but their main areas of concern varied, covering national debt, Obamacare, foreign policy and the size of government."

USA Today finds old Minnesota lead plant sites

KARE11: "Two sites in the Twin Cities are among 400 such locations nationwide noted in a special investigation published by USA Today on Thursday morning. The probe identified potential pollution sites at old factories that the article claims did not get enough reaction from government authorities."

Rukavina letter threatens Pequaywan Township over mining vote

Duluth News Tribune: "State Rep. Tom Rukavina says he was only about half serious when he sent a scolding letter to the Pequaywan Township board threatening to take away the township's share of taconite tax money after town supervisors voted for a resolution critical of copper mining."

Republicans link Dayton's likes with bills he won't

Pioneer Press: "Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton chastised Republican lawmakers Thursday, April 19, for tacking some of his veteran/public safety initiatives onto a money-management bill he opposes."

Student loan interest rates loom as political battle

New York Times: "The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that a one-year freeze on the interest rate for subsidized Stafford loans would cost $6 billion. 'Bad policy based on lofty campaign promises has put us in an untenable situation,'" said Rep. John Kline (R-Minn).

N.F.L. Warns That Vikings Could Move

New York Times: "N.F.L. Commissioner Roger Goodell will fly to Minnesota on Friday to warn state lawmakers that if they do not help the Vikings build a new stadium, the team will be forced to explore other options, including leaving the state."

Yanks' four homers cost Twins in the Bronx

MLB.com: "Considering their past struggles in the Bronx, it would be easy for the Twins to take solace in splitting their four-game series against the Yankees."

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