The Senate passed a measure on Tuesday that would enhance the regulation of cell-phone tracking devices currently used by at least two law enforcement organizations in the state. The Senate version, however, was amended at the last minute to weaken the legal standard allowing only limited access to citizens' location information, according to privacy advocates

Republican candidates and activists filed into the National Sports Center in Blaine on Saturday to participate in a preliminary straw poll of candidates in the gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races. Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson won the gubernatorial poll with 35 percent of the vote, and state Sen. Julianne Ortman won the U.S. Senate poll with 37 percent of the vote.

The Senate GOP caucus has filled out its staff leadership positions for the 2013 legislative session. Kevin Matzek will remain as chief of staff. He will be joined by Leslie Rosedahl as director of public affairs and Brad Biers as communications director.

Senate Republicans will have 38 slots to fill when the Legislature convenes on January 8. That’s down from the 43 staffers that DFLers were able to employ while serving in the minority over the past two years.