Spanish version of National Anthem gains controversy

State Board to investigate State Supreme Court

The State board that governs lawyers responsibility to the public has launched an investigation after a complaint was filed to the board after Sen. Dean Johnson's comments that he talked to the justices about the marriage ammendment. The justices have denied having any such conversation with the Senate Majority Leader. In a taped conversation Johnson was quoted as stating that he had talked to the justices and that the court would not touch the issue [marriage amendment].

Sen. Koering gets endorsement

After a long fought battle State Senator Paul Koering of district 12 was endorsed as the republican candidate. Senator Koering was forced to come out last session and admit he was gay as the Senate considered an amendment to ban gay marriage. Senate minority leader Dick Day was there to support Sen. Koering.

Grams considers challenging Oberstar

Former Senator Rod Grams is considering challenging 8th District Congressman Jim Oberstar in northeast, MN. Grams reportedly has the support of other republican elected officials. Oberstar has consistently done well in the predominantly DFL district and won every election by substantial margins.

Senate Cmte grills staff of St. Peter facility over security

A Senate committee today grilled the staff of the St. Peter Treatment facility for what it called lapses in security.

House passes Twins stadium bill

The MN House of Representatives held nearly 9 hours of debate today before passing a bill financing a Twins stadium. Next the bill goes on to the Senate Finance Committee and then to the full Senate. The Governor has said that he will sign a Twins stadium bill barring any major problems.

Tony Snow to be next White House Press Secretary

Tony Snow of Fox News Channel, is expected to become the next White House Press Secretary tomorrow morning at a press conference. Snow was a former speech writer for former Pres. George Bush. Snow takes over for Scott McClellan who has stepped down as part of shake up in the White House staff.

Feds respond to high gas prices

Pres. Bush responded to escalating gas prices saying that he has ordered the Justice Department to investigate price gouging and to assists states in that process. He also halted the filling of the Strategic Oil Reserve until the fall. Oil companies are expected to report record profits for the 1st quarter this week. The blame game continued on Capitol Hill as democrats accused Bush of having too many give aways to the oil industry in the recently passed energy bill. Republicans accused democrats of blocking legislation that would have increased drilling domestically which would relieve the supply. Part of the problem has been that the government mandates that certain additives be used due to pollution during the spring and summer in certain parts of the country. The additives add to the cost of the fuel. Unfortunately there is no short term solution to this situation.

New Orleans to have runoff election for Mayor

Mayor Ray Nagin and LA Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu beat out 20 other candidates for mayor to compete in a runoff election in May. Louisiana state law requires a runoff if a candidate does not reach 50.1% of the vote. Mitch Landrieu's sister is a US Senator.

Iraqi parliament elects new PM

In the Iraqi parliament session PM Talabani chose al-Malaki to be the next Prime Minister of Iraq. Much of the delay stemmed from the current Prime Minister refusing to give up his position. The White House and many leaders in Iraq were finally able to pressure Talabani to step aside and elect a new Prime Minister. This allow the Iraqi government to form a unity government and eventually allow US forces to leave Iraq. The US is likely to remain in Iraq but at much smaller troop levels.

New Orleans voters go to polls to elect mayor

New Orleans citiznes will be going to the polls to elect their next mayor. Mayor Ray Nagin is also running for re-election. Whoever wins the election will have a daunting task ahead of them including: getting crime under control, getting the levees fixed before hurricane season begins, repair and revitalize the business community and provide basic city services. These are just a few of the many issues facing the city as it attempts to rebuild.

CIA officer fired over leak

A CIA officer has been fired over the leak of classified information. Mary McCarthy was relieved of her duties and could face criminal charges by the Department of Justice.

House Tax Cmte approves Twins stadium

The House Tax Committee approved a bill for a new Twins stadium. An amendment to authorized a referendum failed. The bill authorizes a local options sales tax for Hennepin County. There is no state money. The Twins will contribute $130 million and the local options sales tax will finish the rest. There is no roof for the stadium. Twins president Jerry Bell said that the team would not be coming back to the legislature for funding for a roof because the current design would not allow for one. The next committee for this bill is Ways and Means. There is a full House vote later this week. The Senate Tax Committee will be taking up its version of the Twins stadium bill. The Tax chair said that while he and the majority leader support the bill they do not know how the rest of the DFL Caucus will vote on it.

Homeland Security cracks down on businesses

The Department of Homeland Security made a pre-dawn raid at a business that hired illegal aliens. The department announced that it was part of a nationwide effort to crack down on businesses who hire illegal aliens. In the raid illegal aliens as wells as the executives of the company were arrested.

Iraqi parliament to meet in session on Sat.

Federal officials issue arrest warrant for escaped convict Michael Benson

Federal officials have issued an arrest warrant for Michael Benson who recently escaped a state mental hospital in St. Peter, MN. Benson is a level 3 sex offender and is considered very dangerous. He is believed to be driving a 1997 green Ford Crown Victoria Lic.# MN MXB 801. Authorities advise not to approach the individual but call 911. He was reportedly last seen in Cass County in northern Minnesota. Federal officials issued the arrest warrant because they believe he may have fled the state. It also give the MN BCA acess to national databases.

Chinese president visits United States

White House begins making staff changes

As Josh Bolten became the new White House Chief of Staff some new changes have been put into motion. Scott McClellan has decided to step down as the White House Press Secretary. He will stay on until a new replacement is found. Fox News Channels Tony Snow is rumored to be the replacement. Karl Rove will be reassigned from his current role as Deputy Chief of Staff to focus on the mid-term elections. These are among the changes the White House is making amid the presidents low approval ratings. Bush also nominated a new director for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Office of the Trade Representative.

Crude oil prices expected to rise during summer driving season

New York judge fines Transit Workers Union

A New York judge today fined the New York Transit Workers Union $2.5million for illegally authorizing a strike. The strike happened just prior to Christmas and state officials say it cost the state billions in lost revenue for businesses and the state. It is illegal under New York state law for a public employees union to go on strike. The Governor wanted the union leaders to do jail time.

Former IL Governor George Ryan found guilty

An Illinoise jury returned guilty verdicts in the case of former Republican Governor George Ryan. Ryan was found guilty on federal charges of racketeering and corruption while Governor and Secretary of State. Ryan said he would appeal the decision.

St.Paul Ford plant to close

Ford Motor Company announced that the St. Paul plant will be closed in May of 2008. The decision came as Ford is attempting to restucture and be more profitable in the face of foreign competition. The plant avoided the chopping block back in January but was faced with the inevitable. The property that the company currently sits on is considered valuable real estate and is expected to be worth millions to potential developers.

Proposed property tax rebate contingent on tobacco case

The House Republicans and Gov. Pawlenty have proposed a property tax rebate for homeowners this session. This is however contingent on the state supreme court upholding the tobacco fee passed last session as a way to balance the state's budget. Attorneys for the tobacco companies argued that the tobacco fee was in violation of the agreement that it had with the state regarding health care costs. The assistant state attorney general argued that the agreement only prohibits future lawsuits by the state and also said that the states legislative authority cannot be hindered by contractual obligation. The state supreme court heard oral arguments this week and is expected to issue a ruling soon.

McCain visit fuels speculation of McCain/Pawlenty ticket in 08

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) visited Minnesota to fundraise for Gov. Tim Pawlenty who is expected to run for re-election for his second term. When talk turned to presidential possibilities both denied the speculation. Sen. McCain said that Gov. Pawlenty is someone who has alot of potential and is a rising star in the republican party. Gov. Pawlenty said of Sen. McCain that he is somone that he has always looked up to as hero.

MA proposes requiring all residents to carry health insurance

The Massachusett's state legislature in order to control health care costs is proposing a bill that would require all residents to carry health insurance. The bill would also require companies to offer health insurance to their employees. The state would be the first in the nation to attemp to mandate health care statewide. The governor is expected to sign the bill who is a republican and is a likely candidate for president for 2008.

Israeli cabinet to declare Ariel Sharon permanently incapacitated

The Israeli cabinet will be voting to officially declare Ariel Sharon permanently incapacitated to allow the acting P.M. to takover and form a new government. The acting P.M. Ehud Olmert's party recently won a majority of seats.

Bush nominates acting FEMA Director for permanent position

New York jury convicts NYPD cops of mafia style murders

Two NYPD cops were convicted of mafia style murders. A jury convicted them of getting paid by the mob to help them murder individuals the mob wanted dead. The officers would kidnap the unsuspecting individuals thinking they were headed to jail when in fact the cops would deliver them to the mob.

DOJ empanels grand jury to consider charger against Congresswoman McKinney

DHS Deputy Press Secretay caught in child porn sting

French president Chirac to sign new labor law despite protests

French president Chirac is likely to sign a new labor law allowing youth under 26 to be fired without cause with a few minor changes. French youth have been protesting the proposed changes which gives workers generous benefits once hired. The French government has been under increasing pressure to boost the sluggish economy and the high unemployment rate. The unemployment rate among youth is at 23%. The new law is meant to encourage employers to hire younger workers without the threat of legal action by the government if they fire them for incompetence.

House Republicans unveil Bonding bill

The House Republicans unveiled their proposed Bonding bill this year to the tune of $950 million dollars. The Senate already had proposed their Bonding bill for $990 million dollars.

Senate cmte votes down marriage bill on party line vote

The Senate Judiciary Committee heard the bill regarding the amendment for traditional marriage at the State Capitol amid heavy security. The bill would constitutionally ban gay marriage and its legal equivalent ie civil unions. The bill was voted down by a party line vote 5-4. The DFL party currently has the majority in the Senate. The hearing was expected to put to rest calls for the Senate to pass an amendment to ban gay marriage to put to voters on the ballot. Republicans vow to use this vote against democrats primarily in rurals areas of the state where gay marriage is frowned upon during this election year. The DFL party defended the vote stating that the state already has a a law on the books prohibiting gay marriage with DOMA. Conservatives fear the judiciary may overturn the state statutue.

Moussaoui jury says he is eligible for death penalty

The next phase will be whether Moussaoui will get the death penalty or life in prison. Moussaoui signed his own death warrant by testifying in his own defense and stating that he knew about 9/11 before it happened.

Capitol Hill police seek arrest warrant for Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-GA)

The US Capitol Police have asked the the US Attorneys Office that an arrest warrant be issued for Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney (D-GA) for allegedly hitting an officer after she failed to yield to the officer at a security checkpoint at a House office building. It is routine for members of congress to bypass security provided they are wearing their official lapel pin. Congresswoman McKinney has refused to wear her lapel pin. She says she is being targeted because she is black and a woman but the officer in question has signed an affidavit to what he did. Also a Capitol Hill staffer also witnessed the incident and confirms what the officer did.

Tom DeLay will not seek re-election

Congressman Tom DeLay has decided he will not seek re-election for his congressional seat. DeLay stepped down earlier this year as majority leader to fight charges brought about against by a Texas prosecutor. DeLay had won his primary but now has decided to drop out of the race.