Now, the Democrats take a turn

Today on the Update, we hear from Minnesota DFLers in Charlotte for the Democratic National Convention. Many Iron Range taconite mine workers have a new deal to continue mining. As colleges begin classes, many students in the Twin Cities promise not to drink or take drugs. Dairy farmers are getting squeezed by the drought. And a new study raises serious questions about whether organic food is healthier.

Compare the platforms
The Democrats unveiled a party platform at their national convention Monday that calls for higher taxes on wealthier Americans, comprehensive immigration reform, improved care for Medicare recipients, support for expanding the Affordable Care Act, and backs same-sex marriage and abortion rights.

Parties insist conventions matter
Tens of thousands of rank-and-file state party delegates, consultants, donors and journalists spent last week at the Republican National Convention. The same will be true this week for Democrats at their convention. Still, "That role by the parties has really been undercut by the development of much larger and more successful fundraising operations outside the party," University of Minnesota political science professor Larry Jacobs says.

Dayton lights into Ryan
Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton is criticizing Republican Paul Ryan for getting his facts wrong and for misleading the nation's voters during last week's speech at the Republican National Convention.

We're still debating women's rights?
Following Rep. Todd Akin, R-Mo. debunked assertions about "legitimate" rape and pregnancy, the Daily Circuit looked at the extremism in the conversation over women's rights. How can we depolarize this issue and find some common ground?

Sober U
As college students head back to school this week, a small incoming class at Augsburg College is trying to do it while staying sober with the help of a program that may give them another shot at a healthier life.

Health exchange unhappiness
Minnesota health insurance brokers and agents are worried that state officials are implementing the federal health care law in ways that will hurt their businesses, and closing them out of the process.

A new Boundary Waters fire
Firefighters attacked a wildfire burning on a peninsula separating the west side of Cummings Lake from the northeast side of Otter Lake in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

Going organic? Health benefits questioned by study
One of the researchers involved in the research says the finding came as a surprise. But Dr. Dena Bravata notes "there are many reasons why someone might choose organic foods over conventional foods," from environmental concerns to taste preferences.

Curbing wasted produce
Millions of pounds of produce go to waste in Minnesota each year, and hunger relief organizations are stepping up their efforts to capture it, and get it on the plates of those who need it.

Dairies squeezed by drought
Minnesota dairy farmers these days are watching corn and soybean prices almost as closely as the price of milk. High costs for cow feed brought on by drought have made some farms unprofitable. The last two months have been especially stressful.

United Steelworkers reach contract agreement
Leaders of some Iron Range communities are breathing a sigh of relief after the United Steelworkers union agreed to terms Sunday on a new labor contract with U.S. Steel. The company employs roughly 1,300 union members at its MinnTac and KeeTac facilities on the Range.

You want fries with that?
A Minnesota casino has cooked up a world-record bacon cheeseburger that's 10 feet in diameter and weighs more than a ton. The behemoth burger was served up Sunday at the Black Bear Casino Resort near Carlton. It tipped the scales at 2,014 pounds.

Say what?
Billboard slogans are usually short and catchy, but a new McDonald's billboard apparently reads more like a run-on sentence with most of the words mashed together -- in Hmong.

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