Franken says public option for health care provides competition for insurance companies

Congressional officials say there's a move afoot among top Senate Democrats to try to strip the health insurance industry of its exemption from federal anti-trust laws.

• Sen. Al Franken talks about need for public option in health care reform bill

Gov't investigates health insurance company mailer

WASHINGTON - The government is investigating a major insurance company for allegedly trying to scare seniors with a mailer warning they could lose important benefits under health care legislation in Congress.

Minnesota loses 10,300 jobs in August

ST. PAUL – National economists say the recession technically is over, but Minnesota economic leaders say workers have yet to feel an improvement.

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UND nickname opponent says council acts on vote

GRAND FORKS, N.D. - An opponent of the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname says the Spirit Lake Tribal Council has formally acknowledged the results of an April election on the reservation in which the majority of voters supported the nickname.

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Obama fires up crowd at Target Center

Says he won't accept status quo on health care
MINNEAPOLIS – President Barack Obama assailed critics of his health care initiative Saturday, seeking to grab the megaphone from his opponents and boost momentum in his drive for congressional passage of his chief domestic priority.

• Rally in Minneapolis
• Faces in the crowd
• President Obama and Sen. Klobuchar
• Obama pauses during speech
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• Minnesotans hear Obama's pitch for health care change

Minnesotans hear Obama's pitch for health care change

MINNEAPOLIS – Thousands of people filled Target Center on Saturday to hear President Barack Obama press the case for changing America’s health care system, some lining up overnight to assure themselves of a spot.

• Protester shows his opposition
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Schultz ending local talk show

Ed Schultz’s latest reincarnation as a local talk show host didn’t last long.

• Ed Schultz
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ND auto dealers submit $9M in 'clunker' rebates

BISMARCK, N.D. - North Dakota auto dealers have submitted just under $9 million in Cash for Clunkers rebate requests to the federal government.

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Health care rally draws hundreds

The morning started with emotional speeches from a Fargodome parking lot stage – and chanting and waving of flags from beyond the yellow tape that separated supporters and opponents of comprehensive healthcare reform.

• Man on protest walk from North Dakota to Washington
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• Heidi Heitkamp addresses supporters rallying for health care reform
• Heitkamp says majority of Americans want health care reform
• Heidi Heitkamp
• Health care rally
• Rally opponents

GOP senator signals fading hopes on health care

WASHINGTON - A leading GOP negotiator on health care struck a further blow to fading chances of a bipartisan compromise by saying Democratic proposals would restrict medical choices and make the country's "finances sicker without saving you money."

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Local businesses tell Pomeroy they see economic news as mix of good and bad

FARGO - Local business leaders told Rep. Earl Pomeroy this morning they believe the economy is bouncing back, but there are still areas of concern.

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Neb. senator wants answers on Cash for Clunkers

OMAHA, Neb. - U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns has joined several other Republican senators seeking answers regarding reimbursements to car dealers through the federal government's popular Cash for Clunkers program.

Fargo won’t appeal LED sign decision

Fargo city commissioners decided Monday not to appeal a district court decision forcing the city to allow a local businessman to build a four-sided electronic messaging sign on the edge of a residential neighborhood.

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Pastor says Minneapolis tornado serves as warning against approving sin

MINNEAPOLIS - A blog post by John Piper, a Minneapolis pastor, called Wednesday's tornado in Minneapolis "a gentle but firm warning to the ELCA and all of us: Turn from the approval of sin. Turn from the promotion of behaviors that lead to destruction. Reaffirm the great Lutheran heritage of allegiance to the truth and authority of Scripture. Turn back from distorting the grace of God into sensuality."

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Father: ' I have never doubted her gender' after teen runner's performance prompts gender test

BERLIN – A day after winning her first 800-meter world title amid a gender-test controversy, the father of South African teenager Caster Semenya dismissed speculation his daughter is not a woman.

• Caster Semenya
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• Semenya runs
• Semenya wins
• Semenya celebrates