Republican leaders at the Legislature unveiled $1 billion worth of cuts at a news conference Tuesday as they start to address what House Speaker Kurt Zellers called a "pretty insurmountable" $6.2 billion deficit. Cuts, however, are only half of the equation they bandied on the campaign trail.

On Tuesday Republican legislative leaders unveiled roughly $1 billion in spending reductions as the first part of their plan to solve the state's $6.2 billion budget deficit. The biggest cut: $286 million in projected spending on aid to counties and municipalities across the state.

Pat Anderson didn't need to worry about winning over the crowd gathered at the University Club in St. Paul on Wednesday evening. Roughly 30 GOP activists and donors were on hand to raise money for her bid for state auditor.

Political action committees and legislative caucuses have already done mailings assailing the opposition. But now that the campaign has entered the final month, the rough-and-tumble race for the Legislature is kicking into high gear.

The Obama administration has allocated $500,000 to an ambitious St. Paul project aimed at helping challenged children in the Frogtown and Summit University neighborhoods to get a leg up on life.

Think of Bob Hume as that big, beefy, bespectacled hurler who shows up in the final innings when the baseball game is on the line-with a killer pitch.

Erin Dady, who played a key role in planning for the 2008 Republican National Convention, has been named St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman's new chief of staff. Dady previously served as the city's director of marketing and convention planning.

Sara Grewing has been named St. Paul City Attorney. Since 2007, Grewing has served as chief of staff for St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman.

DNC Chairman and Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine was in Minneapolis Wednesday to push for DFL gubernatorial candidate Mark Dayton, saying he is the Minnesota candidate who will support local governments.

In the days leading up to the DFL state convention in Duluth, the widespread belief was that Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak had established crucial momentum. Of course, that’s not exactly how it played out. Kelliher led on all six ballots and exited the convention center with the party’s backing. Rybak went back to Minneapolis City Hall. In the end, organization trumped charisma. Kelliher earned the party’s nod through months of meticulous planning, a well-executed convention floor plan, loyal support from her fellow House members and a final boost from organized labor.