Special session talks go south

Gov. Mark Dayton and the leaders of the Republican caucuses in the Minnesota Legislature uttered plenty of discouraging words Tuesday after another meeting meant to plot a course toward a special session. Dayton emerged from the closed-door gathering of legislative leaders at his temporary offices in the Veterans Service Building in St. Paul saying he felt "much more discouraged" than when he went into the meeting less than an hour before.

Our View: More could be done

While Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton and the Legislature may get back together in St. Paul to consider unfinished business from the session, some work that will benefit the state's natural resources was accomplished. The omnibus supplemental budget bill signed into law June 1 provides funding provisions that support the Department of Natural Resources work, including funds for Minnesota state parks and trails operations.

Democratic leaders take aim at Trump at Minnesota convention

Leaders of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party took aim at likely Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump at their state convention Saturday and warned that divisions among Democrats could hurt the party in the November elections. Hundreds of leaders, party activists and elected officials gathered for the one-day convention in Minneapolis, the Star Tribune reported.

Land O’Lakes, Minnesota partner on water quality initiative

The state of Minnesota and Land O'Lakes announced a partnership Wednesday to improve water quality in farm country, leveraging the farmer-owned co-operative's retail network to help expand a state program that encourages farmers to voluntarily implement conservation practices. Land O'Lakes will promote the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program through its seed and crop protection business, WinField US, using its remote sensing technology to map the topography of fields to reduce erosion and better manage runoff.

Beyonce Concert Evacuated Due To Severe Weather

Thousands of Beyonce fans were evacuated from a concert in Minnesota on Monday night due to a severe weather warning. Around 35,000 fans were waiting for Beyonce to begin her Formation World Tour show at the open-air TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis when they were instructed to evacuate to the stadium concourse or nearby shelters due to a forecast of thunder and lightning.

The Latest: State House passes $260 million tax cut package

House members voted 123-10 Sunday afternoon to approve a tax relief package that would offer property tax relief to farmers and businesses, create a new tax credit for college graduates with loan debt and expand aid to Minnesota parents with childcare costs. The measure passed with only a handful of House Democrats opposed.