Thom Petersen

Jan 21, 2014

DFL Rep. Collin Peterson reports $357,000 cash on hand

Over the course of the entire year, Peterson received just over $500,000 in total donations, with about $71,000 of that figure coming from individuals.

Oct 9, 2013

MPCA plan targets nitrogen runoff from farms

Minnesota used to be a wheat state. But the state agricultural scene has drifted dramatically in favor of soybean and corn crops, which these days yield a much more productive and profitable harvest for the state’s cropland.

Aug 9, 2013

On second thought: Put farm repair tax on agenda, says Dayton

A special legislative session appears imminent. Gov. Mark Dayton has suggested Sept. 9 for a one-day gathering of the House and Senate. But the exact agenda for the session has remained uncertain in recent days. Dayton indicated on Tuesday that he wanted disaster assistance relating to storm damage in 18 counties to be the sole item on the agenda.

Jul 18, 2013

Southeastern MN lawmakers mull solutions to hay shortage

State lawmakers from southeastern Minnesota are assessing their options to help livestock producers who are facing steep prices for forage to feed their cows. Three extreme weather trends have happened in succession in the last year to create a hay shortage.

Dec 26, 2012

Morrow’s quiet leadership will be missed

St. Peter DFLer played key role on Vikings stadium, other sensitive issues.

Nov 14, 2012

Suburbs now more vital to DFL majorities

The new DFL legislative majorities that will take power in January owe a lot to the rejiggering of the geographic balance within their caucuses.

Oct 19, 2012

Wiener, Faust slug it out for open 11B House seat

If misleading ads are one index of a hotly contested political race, then the battle for House District 11B is surely among the most vigorous in the state.

Oct 12, 2012

Cravaack, Nolan battle for the soul of the 8th

The scene at the first public debate between candidates in Minnesota’s northeast 8th Congressional District this year was far tamer than the same event just two years ago.

Jun 22, 2012

In the swing district of HD 11B, circumstances have turned an incumbent pairing into a dual primary free-for-all

While this November’s legislative elections might still seem far off, the scene in east-central Minnesota’s House District 11B is marked by immediacy on both sides of the aisle.

Oct 19, 2011

Clark cash haul suggests expensive DFL primary

The notion that Tarryl Clark is gunning for the DFL endorsement in her quest for Congress has all but been abandoned by party activists in Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District.

Oct 5, 2011

Can Fanning break logjam in CD 8 DFL?

With the entry of Daniel Fanning into the 8th Congressional District race, the DFL field seeking to challenge U.S. Rep. Chip Cravaack next year has grown more populous and more complex.

Aug 10, 2011

Battle continues over small energy producers

As more farmers, businesses and homeowners look to put up wind turbines and solar panels to generate power, utilities like rural electric cooperatives are pushing back against a state law that they say puts them at a disadvantage.