State Legislature

A proposal expanding the right to use deadly force in self-defense continues its advance through the Republican-controlled Legislature. The gun bill from GOP Rep. Tony Cornish goes before a House judiciary panel Wednesday after passing a public safety committee last week.

Developers have plans for a gambling and entertainment hub in downtown Minneapolis that they say could draw tourists from across the Upper Midwest. Alatus LLC will take its plans for the Las Vegas-style casino, restaurant and retail complex to the state Capitol Wednesday.

The proposal to add casino-style gambling to at least two Minnesota horse-racing tracks gets its first committee hearing of the current legislative session. The Senate state government panel hears the so-called "racino" proposal in a hearing Wednesday evening.

A Senate panel is expected to vote on two proposals to restrict abortion in Minnesota. The Judiciary and Public Safety Committee's Tuesday agenda includes a ban on abortion starting about midway through pregnancies at 20 weeks of gestation.

Three weeks before lawmakers hope to leave St. Paul for the year, a select few are at work over political maps that would play a role in elections for years to come.

More Minnesota leaders could be in line for special security protection under a bipartisan bill coming up on its first legislative hearing. The bill would direct state public safety officials to provide temporary security to Minnesota Supreme Court justices, legislators or statewide officeholders if credible threats arise.

A bill to ban gay marriage in Minnesota's constitution gets a hearing in a state Senate committee that's likely to draw heavy interest from both sides of the issue.

The Minnesota Senate has passed a bill requiring all Minnesotans to present a photo ID in order to vote. The bill passed Thursday on a vote of 37-26. Republicans who sponsored the bill say it will boost confidence in state elections after two recent statewide recounts.

A bill that would expand the state's law on the use of deadly force in cases of self-defense has passed a House public safety committee on a 10-7 vote. It will now go on to the House judiciary committee.

A lawyer for the tribe that runs Minnesota's most popular casino says it will consider serving alcohol if the Legislature expands gambling in the state.