This month’s meager primary voter turnout has caused Gov. Mark Dayton and leaders from both parties to once again mull moving the primary to June. Just 9 percent of registered Minnesota voters turned out for the August 14 primary.

While excavating sand is nothing new in Minnesota, the rush to excavate large quantities to ship to the Dakotas has quickly unearthed a prominent issue for state legislators and regulators.

Silica sand mining has become a booming business in southeastern Minnesota, and as a result it’s also become a burgeoning issue at the Legislature.

It wasn’t until the redistricting maps were released that DFLers became noticeably interested in Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District.

The Obama campaign in Minnesota said Monday morning that it would unveil a list of participants in a so-called Truth Team.

The Minnesota Legislative Auditor has released a much anticipated report about the problems lawmakers have encountered in their efforts to allocate the proceeds of a dedicated sales tax for environmental and cultural projects.

On Sept. 15, crews from scads of state and federal agencies launched a small fleet of research boats at Hidden Falls Regional Park in St. Paul, looking for an answer to a suddenly pressing question: Have two species of the dreaded Asian carp finally worked their way up the Mississippi River to the Twin Cities?

A year ago, the Legislative Audit Commission passed over a proposal to evaluate the way state agencies prepare the fiscal notes that have long served as the basis for doing state budgets. One year later, amid a session punctuated by public disputes about their accuracy, the commission made an investigation of fiscal notes one of the highest priorities for Legislative Auditor James Nobles and his staff.

Rep. Dean Urdahl wants to spend $550,000 in dedicated proceeds from the 2008 Legacy sales tax amendment to create a State Capitol Preservation Commission. The 16-member panel would be charged with selecting an architectural firm to draw up plans for a comprehensive, multiyear renovation of the century-old building.

Rep. Rick Hansen, a persistent critic of decisions made by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, has been removed from the 12-member body.