MN News

REELING REPUBLICANS        GOP members of state Legislature have to regroup        ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota Republicans are trying to figure out their new role in the state Legislature.        In the wake of last week’s elections, they can be a source of noisy resistance against an all-Democratic government, an accommodating minority that is content with scratching out small victories or something in between.        The formal conversion of control occurs in January when the Legislature returns with Democrats in charge of the House and Senate to go along with a Democratic governor. It’s the first time since the 1990 session that one party has held all three at once.        In last week’s election, Republicans forfeited the legislative majorities they claimed just two years earlier.        If legislative Democrats remain unified, for instance, they can pass education policy or write the $35 billion-plus two year budget without any GOP votes.

VICTORIA’S SECRET-HEADDRESS        Victoria’s Secret apologizes for use of headdress        FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) – Victoria’s Secret has said that it’s sorry about putting a Native American-style headdress on a model for its annual fashion show.        The company responded to criticism over the weekend by saying it was sorry to have upset anyone and that it wouldn’t include the outfit in the show’s television broadcast next month.        Thousands of people commented on the company’s Facebook page after the apology was issued. Some saw the floor-length headdress worn by model Karlie Kloss as art, while others say it displayed ignorance toward Native American cultures and history.        Feather headdresses, or war bonnets, are a symbol of bravery and are worn by Native American leaders in some tribes, including chiefs. Women don’t wear war bonnets.        Kloss has tweeted her own apology.        Paul Frank Industries Inc. and the band “No Doubt have run into similar criticism and apologized this year for their use of headdresses.

ANIMAL HOSPITAL ARSON        Tips lead to arrest in Minn. animal hospital arson        (Information in the following story is from: KSTP-TV, http://www.kstp.com)        NORTH BRANCH, Minn. (AP) – North Branch police say tips from the public led to the arrest of a suspect in an arson at an animal hospital earlier this month.        KSTP-TV (http://bit.ly/Q9fxMt ) reports police arrested a 21-year-old North Branch man on suspicion of second-degree arson. He is being held in the Chisago (shih-SAH’-goh) County Jail.        Five dogs and a cat were rescued without injury after the Nov. 4 fire at the North Branch Veterinary Hospital.        Authorities had offered a reward of up to $2,500.

LAWSUIT AGAINST LAWYER        SD woman sues Minn. lawyer for failure to sue        (Information in the following story is from: Argus Leader, http://www.argusleader.com)        SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – A South Dakota woman allegedly dropped out of her wheelchair by employees of the state DMV in Sioux Falls is suing her former lawyer for failing to sue the state in time.        The Argus Leader reports (http://argusne.ws/TwsFZ2) that 43-year-old Belinda French, of Garretson, is accusing Minnesota lawyer Rob Leighton of sitting on her case until the statute of limitations ran out, which robbed her of an opportunity for compensation for her injuries.        The lawsuit says French, who suffers from spina bifida and osteoporosis, was injured on Dec. 30, 2009, during a visit to a DMV office in the Minnehaha County Administration building.        French hired Leighton to her, but the lawyer reportedly failed to file the lawsuit within the allotted time.        Leighton declined to comment on the lawsuit.

UMINN-ORCHESTRA LOCKOUTS        Orchestra lockouts discourage U of Minn. students        (Information in the following story is from: The Minnesota Daily, http://www.mndaily.com/)        MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Music students at the University of Minnesota are discouraged by musician lockouts at the Minnesota Orchestra and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra.        Before the lockouts, students in the university’s School of Music regularly interacted with musicians from the Twin Cities orchestras.        The Minnesota Daily (http://bit.ly/TtDKtG) reports members of the Minnesota Orchestra would often lead small-group University Symphony Orchestra rehearsals. At times, the two orchestras would rehearse side-by-side.        Conducting students also learn from orchestra members, by observing SPCO and Minnesota Orchestra rehearsals.        Minnesota Orchestra musicians were locked out Oct. 1 after the orchestra’s management and the musicians’ union failed to reach a contract agreement. SPCO musicians were locked out shortly after, marking the first time both orchestras have been locked out simultaneously. Both have canceled concerts through the end of 2012.

TWIN CITIES HOME PRICES        Twin Cities home prices, sales rise in October        (Information in the following story is from: Minnesota Public Radio News, http://www.mpr.org)        ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Twin Cities home sales and prices rose in October.        Minnesota Public Radio News (http://bit.ly/SQVqyE) reports the median home price climbed to $175,000, up nearly 15 percent from the same period last year. October was the eighth consecutive month of price gains.        Prices were up for traditional homes, and foreclosures and short sales alike.        Pending and completed sales also rose from last year.        The Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors says reduced supply of homes for sale and greater demand are playing a big role in helping the Twin Cities housing market recover.

VIKINGS-PONDER’S PROGRESS        Ponder’s performance makes Vikings proud        EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) – Christian Ponder’s confidence was a welcome return for the Minnesota Vikings, both in the pocket and at the podium.        The second-year quarterback didn’t turn the ball over and threw two touchdown passes in Sunday’s victory over Detroit. He cracked one-liners at his news conference afterward, too, more evidence of his satisfaction in a slump-snapping performance.        Several veterans after the game praised Ponder’s play unprompted, well aware of the mounting criticism toward him.        Ponder was 7 for 7 on third downs during scoring drives and completed throws to nine different receivers. Ten, if you count himself, thanks to a batted ball by the Lions that landed in his arms.        The Vikings (6-4) have their bye this week. They next play at Chicago on Nov. 25.

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