Jessica Olson, owner of the new Kalon Salon and Spa business in Blaine, styles the hair of Jennifer LeVasseur of Monticello. Photo by Eric Hagen

Blaine grad opens salon

By Eric Hagen on April 9, 2013 at 7:00 am

A Blaine High School graduate is owner of the new Kalon Salon and Spa in Blaine.

Evidence of construction on the State Capitol has been evident to visitors for months, with scaffolding clinging to the building. (Photo by T.W. Budig)

State Capitol renovation one of major items in governor’s bonding bill

By ECM on April 8, 2013 at 4:46 pm

Rep. Tom Hackbarth, R-Cedar, at a State Capitol press conference on Monday, April 8, renewed his efforts at passing racino legislation. (Photo by T.W. Budig)

Legislators revisit racino discussions

By Tim Budig on April 8, 2013 at 2:35 pm

It was a good idea and still is, Rep. Tom Hackbarth said. “We were very close last year,” Hackbarth said of lawmakers passing racino legislation.

Sen. Karin Housley, R-St. Marys Point, brought a tax increment finance bill before a Senate committee on Thursday (April 4). Stillwater resident Gary Elert (left) and Stillwater Mayor Ken Haryckia appeared in support of the legislation. (Photo by T.W. Budig)

TIF bill looks to extend construction deadline, create and retain jobs

By Site Admin on April 4, 2013 at 8:01 pm

Kammy Kramer, an Eagan mother with two autistic children, spoke at a Capitol press conference on Tuesday, April 2, marking World Autism Day. (Photo by T.W. Budig)

Autism awareness highlighted with insurance legislation

By Tim Budig on April 3, 2013 at 10:29 am

Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton not only accepted the autism awareness blue lantern Tuesday, April 2, but waved it. Kammy Kramer, an Eagan mother with two autistic children, was delighted.

Congresswoman Michele Bachmann speaking on the Republican campaign trail in Ames, Iowa, earlier this year.

Ethics office probing Bachmann has tense relationship with House members

By ECM on April 1, 2013 at 10:44 am

David LaRochelle, an accomplished children’s book author/illustrator, flips through some of the 198 rejection letters he has received from publishers over the years. “If I had given up after getting a rejection letter I never would have had 30 books published,” LaRochelle said, encouraging students to pursue their dreams. Photo by Sue Austreng

Children’s book author/illustrator visits Epiphany School

By Sue Austreng on March 30, 2013 at 7:00 am

Gripping a Sharpee in his right hand, children’s book author/illustrator David LaRochelle carefully wrote the numbers 1-10 on a giant piece of paper mounted on an easel in the classroom as Epiphany Catholic School sixth-graders filed in.

Three-year-old Ashley Hoyhtya, Blaine, collecting her eggs. Photo by Bill Jones

Photos of the Week for March 29

By ABC Newspapers on March 29, 2013 at 7:00 am

Photos of the Week for March 29, 2013

Kentaro Takada, left, returns to provide stability in the midfield.

United FC is ready to start next chapter of Minnesota soccer

By Jason Olson on March 28, 2013 at 12:58 pm

March madness is typically reserved for the most intense time of the college basketball season, not the pre-soccer season.

Jennifer Quach, Coon Rapids High School sophomore, not only won a Gold Key at the Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards competition for her ceramics and glass piece, “Sassy Frassy,” she was also voted one of five “best of show” winners and will continue on to national competition in New York City.

District 11 students earn awards in art event

By Community Contributor on March 26, 2013 at 7:00 am

A number of students from Anoka-Hennepin School District middle and high schools received awards in the 2012-13 Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards (MSAA) competition.

A creative worship team from Wisconsin performs “Be a Hero” during creative ministry competition at the March 8-9 Puppet Festival at Coon Rapids United Methodist Church. Photo by Sue Austreng

Puppets take the pulpit during annual Puppet Fest

By Sue Austreng on March 26, 2013 at 7:00 am

Hundreds of puppeteers, ventriloquists, artists and performers practiced proclaiming the Gospel message during the annual Puppet Festival, staged at Coon Rapids United Methodist Church March 8 and 9.

Michael Paymar, DFL-St. Paul, is the chairman for the House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee. (Photo by T.W. Budig)

Gun bill approved by committee, moving on to House floor

By Tim Budig on March 22, 2013 at 10:31 am

A sleeker gun bill cleared a House committee on Thursday, March 21, after a heftier one floundered for lack of votes.

Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, met with the ECM Editorial Board last Friday and said fully funding all-day kindergarten is a top priority for the State Senate. He said it will take $170 million to fully fund the program. (Photo by Howard Lestrud, ECM Publishers)

Senate Democrats want to fund all-day kindergarten statewide

By ECM on March 19, 2013 at 10:58 am

Raymond to fill Spring Lake Park council vacancy

By Tammy Sakry on March 18, 2013 at 11:28 am

Although Larry Raymond only received 7.7 percent of the vote in the last election, he ranked higher with the Spring Lake Park City Council.

Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton released his revised state budget on Thursday (March 14). While increasing taxes on wealthier Minnesotans, the governor drops his sales tax expansion proposal. (Photo by T.W. Budig)

Governor’s revised budget less bold and less controversial

By Tim Budig on March 14, 2013 at 4:02 pm

Democrats lauded Gov. Mark Dayton’s proposed state budget as the boldest seen in decades.

Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, holds a photo of children aloft during a Senate hearing Tuesday (March 12) on his marriage legislation, saying it's about families. (Photo by T.W. Budig)

Same-sex marriage bills pass in House and Senate committees

By ECM on March 13, 2013 at 9:42 am

Historic marriage legislation is heading to Senate and House floors.

Sen. Alice Johnson, DFL-Spring Lake Park, turns to speak with seatmate Senate Tax Committee Chairman Rod Skoe, DFL-Clearbrook, on the Senate floor.

Sen. Alice Johnson finds the Senate busy but more sedate than the House

By ECM on March 11, 2013 at 4:27 pm

Sen. Paul Gazelka, R-Nisswa, questioned on the Senate floor on Thursday (March 7) whether the health care exchange that passed the Senate would ever produce the savings Democrats suggest. (Photo by T.W. Budig)

Same-sex marriage proposals in House and Senate March 12

By ECM on March 8, 2013 at 3:24 pm

Next Tuesday (March 12) will be a big day at the State Capitol.

Program on Theodore Roosevelt

By Community Contributor on March 8, 2013 at 7:00 am

President Theodore Roosevelt will be the subject of Coon Rapids Senior Services’ March Tea Talk presentation.

Rep. Debra Hilstrom, DFL-Brooklyn Center, stood before the House chamber on Wednesday (March 6) to present her gun legislation. Standing to the right of Hilstrom is Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek, with Rep. Ton Cornish, R-Vernon Center, standing to the left. (Photo by T.W. Budig)

Is gun bill a “common-sense” change or a cop out?

By ECM on March 6, 2013 at 5:10 pm

Rep. Debra Hilstrom of Brooklyn Center suggested the gun issue came to her rather than the other way around.

Rep. Connie Bernardy, DFL-Fridley, listens to veteran David Stanton of New Brighton talk about veterans and jobs while appearing before a House committee on Monday (March 4). Bernardy is carrying legislation providing tax credits for hiring veterans. (Photo by T.W. Budig)

Legislators debate bills designed to help veterans

By ECM on March 5, 2013 at 12:27 pm

Legislation to close a veterans residency gap in Minnesota is being pushed by a Forest Lake lawmaker.

Child care provider Cindy Bills (left) of Rosemount appeared before a Senate committee on Monday (March 4) to oppose legislation concerning possible child care provider unionization. (Photo by T.W. Budig)

Child-care legislation expanded to include personal-care attendants

By ECM on March 5, 2013 at 9:18 am

Legislation providing for a unionization vote among certain child care providers has been expanded to include a possible vote among personal care attendants.