Topic: St. Paul (Minnesota)

The Tim Pawlenty story: Next stop, the White House?

At a Monitor breakfast with reporters, the Republican governor from Minnesota points proudly to his roots from working-class St. Paul. As a potential presidential candidate, he breaks the GOP stereotype. Biography matters in politics. But America's in a crunch, and solutions matter more.

The great debate: Is Obama a socialist?

Is Obama a socialist? What does the evidence say?

Some critics cite government 'takeover' of business and 'giveaways' to the poor as signs that President Obama is a socialist. Members of the Socialist Party are among those who disagree.

US professor Peter Erlinder seeks bail for Rwanda genocide denial charges

Peter Erlinder was arrested last month as he was preparing a case for charges of Rwanda genocide-denial against opposition presidential candidate Victoire Ingabire. The court will decide Thursday afternoon.

Next on the feds' menu? Overhauling school lunches.

The Obama administration is trying to improve the nutrition of school lunch menus, and it's putting at least $4.5 billion behind it.

Arizona immigration law: boycotts starting to take a toll

Boycotts from Mexico and several US cities aren't likely to throw Arizona back into a recession, but the fallout from the Arizona immigration law is hurting some businesses in the short term.

Why Arizona's new immigration law makes sense

Given the nearly 6.5 billion non-Americans in the world and the tens of millions of those who would rather live in the United States, limits must be placed on immigration or the nation would be swamped with foreigners.

Arizona immigration law: Can city boycotts work?

After new Arizona immigration law, the Web lends weight to city councils' calls for boycotts of Arizona, and cities within the state may have legitimate beefs, say legal experts.

1980 'miracle on ice': an American in Moscow recalls Soviet reaction

A US student learned something about Soviet diplomacy while visiting during the 1980 Olympic men's hockey 'miracle on ice.'

Six Picks: Recommendations from the Monitor staff

The final season of 'Lost,' Garrison Keillor's radio show in movie theaters, Laura Veirs's lovely homespun 'July Flame' CD, and more.

Guest blog: America's most literate cities, 2009

When bookstores and newspapers everywhere are hurting, how do you decide which city reads the most?

Do Hmong deported by Thailand face danger in Laos?

Thailand deported more than 4,500 ethnic Hmong to their homeland of Laos, saying they were largely economic migrants, not persecuted refugees. But the US government condemned the move.

US strikes at Mexican cartel's drug-and-gun trade

A violent Mexican cartel, La Familia, is target of US raids. More than 300 arrested.

A major price drop for solar panels

Solar power has suddenly become more affordable.

Favre, the football lifer, reemerges in Minnesota

The future Hall of Famer signed for the Vikings Tuesday. Money and a potential Super Bowl are factors, but he also apparently can't bear the thought of retirement.

Franken wins – 239 days after election

Senate incumbent Coleman bows out after Minnesota's Supreme Court rules for the Democratic challenger. Democrats gain crucial 60th Senate seat.

How an immigration raid changed a town

Tiny Postville, Iowa, struggles to regain its footing one year after the largest immigration sweep in US history.

Job losses hit black men hardest

Some 8 percent of black men in the US have lost their jobs since November 2007, according to a recent study.

For adults who crave children's lit

How pastors are soothing congregants in recessionary times

They search for the right words to express from the pulpit – a balance between compassion and urging worshipers to find deeper meanings.

The little book publisher that could

Todd Boss, a new voice in the world of poetry