Topic: Minnesota

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Playing the IRS card: Six presidents who used the IRS to bash political foes

Since the advent of the federal income tax about a century ago, several presidents – or their zealous underlings – have directed the IRS to use its formidable police powers to harass or punish enemies, political rivals, and administration critics. Here are six infamous episodes.
Briefing
IRS 101: Seven questions about the tea party scandal

The Internal Revenue Service is under the microscope now, as revelations have emerged that the agency wrongly targeted conservative groups seeking nonprofit status. Here’s an accounting of what has happened, along with the ramifications.
Major League Baseball 2013: bobbleheads and fireworks galore for fans

Fans in the know are as likely to buy Major League Baseball tickets based on scheduled giveaways and promotions as on the opponent. Here then is a list to help introduce you to this aspect of game attendance.
3 novels about home and estrangement

Robert Frost once defined home as “the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in.” In this week's fiction roundup, three men estranged from their families find out if he was right.
17 stories from 'Undefeated: Inside the 1972 Miami Dolphins’ Perfect Season’

Writer Mike Freeman explores the undefeated season of the Florida team in his book.

All Content

The Simple Dollar For long road trips, is it cheaper to rent?

It depends on many factors, but a rental car may ultimately cheaper than using your own for a long trip.
Studies fault Bayer in bee die-off

A corn pesticide manufactured by the German chemical company Bayer has come under scrutiny in two scientific studies that indicate that it is responsible for mass deaths of pollinating bees.
Why Wisconsin primary could be start of something big for Romney

With a decisive win Tuesday in the Wisconsin primary, Mitt Romney could finally claim the mantle of the inevitable GOP nominee. Wisconsin is also important to the Republican Party as a potential battleground state in November.
Mega Millions: Will lotteries and other gambling move to the Internet?

In December, the US Department of Justice announced that it was reversing its position that all Internet gambling was illegal, clearing the way for a potential boom in online gambling.
Best Buy closings: steep cuts. More to come?

Best Buy closings involve 50 big-box stores, 400 jobs at headquarters, and probably thousands more retail layoffs. Best Buy closings are the steepest yet for troubled retailer.
JetBlue pilot's outburst: Could side effects from medications be at fault?

Federal investigators and JetBlue officials poring over Clayton Osbon's medical records are expected to look for clues as to whether medications, or their side effects, might be an issue.
Mining boom in Michigan: economic boost or environmental nuisance?

Demand for metals on the world market is prompting a mining boom in Michigan's rural Upper Peninsula, where jobs are scarce. But possible environmental damage to forests, lakes, and rivers alarms some locals.
National grocery chains to stop selling beef containing 'pink slime'

Federal regulators say the filler, known in the industry as 'lean, finely textured beef,' meets food safety standards. But critics say the product could be unsafe and is an unappetizing example of industrialized food production.
Spring into summer: Unseasonable heat helps pave way for violent weather

Spring is just beginning, but in many parts of the country it already feels like summer. As a storm moves into especially warm humid air in the center of the country, Texas is under the gun for violent storms.
Difference Maker Dina Fesler opens a unique school in Afghanistan

Dina Fesler went to Afghanistan to learn how to teach U.S. students about the country. Now she's opened a school there.
Tax the rich ... more? Why Jerry Brown changed his plan to save California.

California Gov. Jerry Brown wants voters to back his ballot initiative to raise taxes. But this week he changed it to fend off a teacher's union that could have ruined his plans.
Student loans: Rates to double. What's the cost?

Student loans backed by the federal government are set to become more expensive this summer, when their interest rate doubles from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent. The rate hike would affect Stafford student loans, and thousands of students are protesting.
Social Security: eight key things to know

Social Security recipients should look into the possibilities of spousal benefits, as well as their own, to maximize their Social Security income.
Global News Blog Alpine skier Lindsey Vonn caps a banner year for American snow queens

Lindsey Vonn has wrapped up her fourth overall World Cup title this year – a feat matched by only one other woman in the history of alpine skiing. But that's not all.
The Vote Newt Gingrich on Super Tuesday: Time for a (third) resurgence?

It could be Newt Gingrich's big day: His home state of Georgia votes, and he looks certain to win it by a big margin. Moreover, he's surging in polls in some other states voting on Super Tuesday.
Super Tuesday 101: Who’s ahead where

Ten states are holding presidential primaries or caucuses Tuesday – and many Republicans are hoping the results begin to bring an unusually volatile primary season to a close.Here’s what to look for Tuesday night, state by state:
Why conservative critics are now backing Mitt Romney

Conservative Republican critics of Mitt Romney are now lining up behind him, in part because the bruising primary race is hurting the GOP in the eyes of voters, say polls.
Washington State caucuses could foreshadow Super Tuesday

The Republican presidential caucuses in Washington State are being held Saturday, three days before Super Tuesday. Mitt Romney is leading in polls, but Rick Santorum is strong there too.
Ohio school shooting: why the gun owner won't be held accountable

Ohio has no laws governing child access to guns on its books and there are not yet signs the shooting in Chardon will force a reassessment of the state’s gun laws.
Arizona, Michigan primary results restore Mitt Romney as GOP front-runner

With a blowout win in Arizona and a squeaker in the Michigan primary results, Mitt Romney can square his shoulders and advance to Super Tuesday as the solid favorite for the GOP nomination.
Primary results: Will Romney's Michigan, Arizona wins restore aura of inevitability?

The primary results for Michigan and Arizona are in and Mitt Romney won both on Tuesday. The Michigan primary victory, in particular, will help Romney stave off the recent charge by Rick Santorum in the polls.
The high stakes primary: why Michigan matters

Given that Michigan awards delegates proportionately, the winner of the primary could earn fewer delegates than the loser. Even so, the contest is a must-win for Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum.
Opinion: How student-built solar homes can help solve US housing and energy crisis

Few of the homes created by university teams in the Solar Decathlon are ever lived in – despite their extraordinary expense and tax on the environment. Instead of building temporary show houses, schools should build energy-efficient homes for local people who need them.
Chardon High School shooting: what we've learned since Columbine

Despite the horrific events of the day, the Indicators of School Crime and Safety report puts recent school-related violent deaths at an all-time low since it began tracking them in 1992.
Why Asian carp are such a threat

Five states failed to secure an injunction that would close shipping locks in an attempt to prevent Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes. What's so bad about Asian carp?