State/Regional News

Frozen lakes and the recent spring snowstorms have grounded migrating loons and grebes in northern Wisconsin and Minnesota. The storms forced birds down in areas where they normally wouldn't stop, and the lack of open water has given many of the aquatic birds little or no place to take off or land.

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This week's update from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows more improvement in parts of south-central and eastern Minnesota, where areas that had been abnormally dry are now rated normal.

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Minnesota's health care exchange already has made several key contracts and requests for proposals readily available to the public on its website.

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Opponents of gay marriage say they expect more than 1,000 people who share their views to turn out for a historic vote in the Minnesota House. House members are scheduled to debate and vote Thursday on legalizing same-sex marriage. The Senate is expected to vote Monday.

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Police say they don't yet know the identity of a body recovered from the Mississippi River in downtown St. Paul. Sgt. Paul Paulos says there's no information about whether the deceased is male or female.

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Extra security officers are patrolling Minnesota's Capitol as the House debates the highly-charged issue of legalizing gay marriage. State lawmakers have been advised that 30 to 40 additional uniformed officers will be on hand to maintain a safe environment during debate Thursday.

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Safety officials are suggesting a Mother's Day gift for anglers - wear a life jacket when heading onto Minnesota's icy waters for the fishing opener this weekend. The Department of Natural Resources says the lack of life jacket use is the No. 1 contributing factor to boating deaths in Minnesota.

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Competing minimum wage bills are splitting Minnesota Democrats on an issue they consider a priority this legislative session. The Minnesota Senate on Wednesday approved a bill to bring the wage floor up to $7.75 per hour by August 2015.

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The University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Vikings have reached agreement on the Vikings' use of TCF Bank Stadium for two seasons.

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An elections bill that would let people vote absentee without a valid excuse has won approval from the Minnesota House. The bill containing no-excuse absentee voting passed Wednesday on a 74-60 vote with minimal Republican support.

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