Note to GOP re Benghazi: Stop calling it Watergate, Iran-contra, bigger than both, etc. First, it might well be, but we don’t know. History will judge. Second, overhyping will only diminish the importance of the scandal if it doesn’t meet presidency-breaking standards. Third, focusing on the political effects simply plays into the hands of Democrats desperately claiming that this is nothing but partisan politics.

Online shoppers already were supposed to report and pay the sales tax themselves, but almost nobody did.

The officer's attorney argued Jouppi couldn't get a fair trial in Duluth.

The percentage of the state in a severe drought dropped from about 13 percent to about 7 percent over the week.

The barbecue at the Dorothy Day Center has become an annual event.

Your daily news briefing, with the video of the day, top news and quote of the day.   

One proposal would set fines for people caught using synthetics and the other would allow businesses to apply for licenses to sell the products.

  1. DIY Embellished Garden Lamp2. DIY Patio Bottle Star3. DIY Junk Mirror4. Planting Doorknobs5. Marbles Embedded in Fencing6. DIY Glowing Garden Gazing Ball7. This is a bowling ball covered in pennies.8. DIY Mirror Mosaic Fence

  Fun fact #1: Cicadas have emerged and swarmed Staten Island, NY. Exterminators have perhaps their biggest project ever. Will the cicada infestation of 2013 be worse for Staten Island residents than the 2011 wild turkey infestation?

In some parts of the country,  every food gets a turn in the deep fryer.  From Oreos to butter.  It all seems more delicious with a batter and a crisp coating. Love it!  Not every day.  But for special occasions.

Molly Ball offers the GOP some GOOD ADVICE:

Jonathan Chait NAILS IT:

One would think that the ranking Republican member of the Senate Judiciary Committee would know what it means to “pack” a court.But, in the case of Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, one would be wrong.“Court-packing” is a term that dates back to the administration of Franklin Roosevelt, and it refers to expanding, or trying to expand, the number of seats on a given court for political reasons.

The results beat Wall Street predictions.

She replaces Duaine Espegard, a retired Grand Forks banker and former state lawmaker.

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The group plans to search for Mandy Matula of Eden Prairie on the Mississippi River in St. Cloud Saturday.

The coalition says the law takes Minnesota farther down the road to a clean, renewable energy future by making solar energy cheaper and more accessible for consumers.

The shooting victim was found earlier Thursday in the parking lot of Genesis Attachments.

Maybe more people coming for tournaments will actually stay in town.

The soldiers are working rotating 12-hour shifts to support Cavalier.

Junior Amber Trostad came in with a 99, while seventh grader Ally Tiedemann carded a 100.