An Oklahoma man died and another was airlifted to Regions Hospital after both were overcome by the release of anhydrous ammonia at about 5:58 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16, at CF Industries in Rosemount.

The ammonia leak occurred in the semi-tanker loading area, and CF Industries staff quickly contained it, according to a release from the Rosemount Police Department. See more in Managing Editor Tad Johnson's ThisweekLive story.

The search continued Monday, Nov. 16 to locate Farmington pilot Andrew Lindberg and his plane that went missing Friday evening after leaving Airlake Airport in Lakeville bound for Hallock, Minn.

Volunteers from the Civil Air Patrol were alerted of the missing aircraft early morning Saturday, Nov. 14 by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida. See more in Kara Hildreth's ThisweekLive story.

by T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol reporter

Democratic lawmakers express a willingness to examine a spending limits constitutional amendment recently proposed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, but remain cautious.

Two weeks ago Pawlenty presented the initiative, which, if approved by voters, would cap state general fund spending at the revenue level received during the previous two-year spending cycle.

Read more: Democratic lawmakers show willingness to study amendment

Standing tall with legs of steel, Iraq War veteran Sgt. John Kriesel offered students firm handshakes and a few jokes after sharing his story.

The day before Veterans Day, Kriesel spoke to seventh-graders at Dodge Middle School in Farmington about the realities of war, the hard work of recovery and how to rebound physically and mentally after tragic loss.

See more in Kara Hildreth's ThisweekLive story.

Iraq War veteran Sgt. John Kriesel shared his story with seventh-graders on Nov. 10 at Dodge Middle School in Farmington.

(Photo by Rick Orndorf)

by T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol Reporter

Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Mark Holsten today (Monday, Nov. 16) told a House/Senate natural resources committee his agency had no intentions of relinquishing $20 million in bonding lawmakers approved for a proposed state park.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty many months ago proposed the creation of Lake Vermilion State Park on land currently owned by U.S. Steel — about 3,000 acres near Soudan Underground Mine State Park and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

Read more: DNR unwilling to relinquish bonding dollars for proposed state park

by T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol Reporter

Some lawmakers — Rep. Tom Hackbarth, R-Cedar, for instance — look to the expansion of gaming as a means for the state to capture extra dollars in tough economic times.

But Rep. Paul Gardner, DFL-Shoreview, believes the easiest ways of bringing in state revenue aren’t always the best.

Read more: Gaming money is too easy, says Rep. Paul Gardner

by T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol Reporter

The House Rules Committee today (Monday, Nov. 16) approved a resolution that will have House attorneys filing a “friend of the court” brief in support of legal actions against recent Pawlenty Administration state budget unallotments.

“Members of the Minnesota House feel strongly that we need to address the important issues raised by this case,” said House Majority Leader Tony Sertich, DFL-Chisholm.

Read more: House Rules Committee backs legal actions against Pawlenty unallotment

NEWS RELEASE

St. Paul, MN -- Sen. John Marty announced today (Monday, Nov. 16) that he will lead a northwest Minnesota health care reform tour to discuss our broken health care system and state-based solutions to Minnesota’s health care crisis.

The three-day tour will begin on Friday, Nov. 20 in Bemidji and conclude on Sunday, Nov. 22 in International Falls.  At five town hall meetings across the region, Sen. Marty and local legislators will discuss the Minnesota Health Plan, a proposal to provide health care coverage for all Minnesotans for all their health care needs in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

Read more: Legislators will host health care reform tour

As many as 700 people from each of the five suburban stations gathered Saturday to celebrate the arrival of the Northstar commuter rail services that started today to see for themselves what a train commute will be like. See more in Star News story.

People of all ages crowded into the Northstar rail station in Elk River to catch a ride. Service for the Northstar Commuter Rail line actually began today (Monday, Nov. 16). Rail stations for Northstar are located in Big Lake, Elk River, Anoka, Coon Rapids and Minneapolis Target Field. Officials say there were 1207 paying passengers on the first morning of the run. (Star News photo)

The Blaine City Council has authorized the purchase of three high-tech electronic surveillance cameras that will be installed in city parks in an effort to reduce vandalism.

Police Chief Chris Olson presented the $20,466 request for the digital, solar-powered devices as a consent agenda item at the council’s Nov. 5 meeting. See more in Editor Tim Hennagir's Blaine/Spring Lake Park Life story.