Paulose still under fire

US Attorney Rachel Paulose is still under fire and under investigation by the Office of Special Counsel. This division is from the Justice Department but answers directly to the White House. Paulose has been accused of creating a hostile work environment within the US Attorney Office in MN. Several of the attorneys within the office have resigned from the management role in the office. It was thought that she was hired strictly because of her alliance with the Bush administration. A former Justice Department testified in congress that that was not the case. This case raised questions as to the real reason former US Attorney Tom Heffelfinger. Heffelfinger however insists that he left on his accord and not because the White House pressured him to resign to make room for Paulose. Was he forced to resign in favor of Paulose? Congressman Keith Ellison is demanding answers.

Iranian Leader to address UN and Columbia University

The Leader of Iran spoke at the UN on Sunday. His visited has brought much protest. The NYPD and the State Department denied his request to lay a wreath at ground zero citing security reasons. The Secret Service is providing protection while he is in the United States. Iran is on the list of countries that are state sponsors of terrorism by the State Department. He is also expected to address Columbia University to the ire of some.

Flatiron Corp. to rebuild 35W bridge

MNDOT awarded the contract to rebuild the 35W bridge to Flatiron Corp. and which has several corporate entities. They were responsible for building a bridge in Florida in record time and a project in CA. The cost is estimated at $234 million. The contractor has said it will have the project done in 437 days. Several contractors have filed complaints that their projects were less expensive. MNDOT spokesman stated that price was not the only factor used to consider the contractor. They also were required to meet certain technical requirements as well as how fast the project could be done without comprising the integrity of the project. The contractor will be rewarded up to $25million for completing the project early.

Ramstad to retire from Congress

Congressman Jim Ramstad announced his resignation from Congress. His career began in the MN State Senate. Ramstad was known as a moderate who could work with both sides in Washington in a town full of political division. Republicans have held Minnesota's 3rd District for nearly 60 years. The district has trended more liberal in recent years. Ramstad also sat on the powerful Ways and Means Committee.

US remembers 9/11

Gen. Patraeus grilled on Capitol Hill on Iraq

General Patraeaus report to Congress on the Progress of the Iraq War gained plenty of attention. The House Foreign Affairs Committee grilled the general as well as the ambassador on the succcesses and failures in Iraq. Today they testified in the Senate.

Pawlenty calls Special Session for flood relief

Gov. Tim Pawlenty ordered the Legislature into special session to provide relief to victims of the flood in Southeastern MN. FEMA has kicked in several million after the president declared it a federal disaster area. The state legislature is expected to provide an estimated $160million in state aid primarily in bonding. The legislature is not expected to address the issue of the bridge collapse because the governor and legislative leaders could not come to consensus on how to fund the projects.

APEC meets in Australia

Congress holds hearing on safety of bridges

The House Transportation Committee chaired by Jim Oberstar (D-MN) held a hearing today on the safety of bridges of America. Minneapolis Mayor RT Ryback testified on that comittee. Ryback supported the idea of raising the gas tax in order to pay for bridge repairs. Mary Peters, Transportation Secretary spoke on behalf of the Bush Administration and told the committee that there were other ways to pay for bridge repairs besides raising the gas tax such as rerouting current funds.

Senator Larry Craig (R-ID) to resign

After being caught in a sex sting at a Minneapolis airport and pleading guilty to a misdemeanor Senator Craig is expected to resign from his office on Sept. 30th. Senator Craig is expected to attempt to repeal his guilty plea but many legal experts say that is highly unlikely.