Democratic Governor Tim Walz leads by under three points over Republican challenger Scott Jensen -- within the margin of error in the latest poll from Trafalgar Group, commissioned by conservative Alpha News.  Earlier polls put Walz's lead from seven points to as much as 18, but Carleton College analyst Schier says based on surveys so far, with more coming in shortly... ..."Governor Walz has a single-digit lead over GOP challenger Scott Jensen.  Now, how *big* a single-digit lead is what pollsters diasgree about." Early voting begins Friday in Minnesota.   The latest poll finds just under five percent  say they haven't decided.

Officials at the state Pollution Control Agency say the "wrong words" were used  and they deleted a tweet that said Minnesotans should try "Meatless Mondays" because meat production contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.  Some House Republican lawmakers say it shows Governor Walz's agency and Democrats are out of touch with the fact that ag production accounts for under five percent of greenhouse gases.  Starbuck Representative Paul Anderson: "I really and truly hope that this didn't reflect the attitude and true beliefs of the people at the agency, MPCA.  I think they're going to have to make their actions speak louder than [...]

Influential Republicans in the Minnesota Senate say a litany of questionable incidents shows fundamental problems with how the state Human Services Department oversees use of taxpayer dollars.  Ham Lake Senator Michelle Benson wants that agency broken up into smaller units: ..."because I am getting the sense, after 12 years, that the cultural change that needs to happen... is only going to happen if there's some fundamental change at DHS." State Human Services Commissioner Jodi Harpstead told lawmakers: "We're going to develop some recommendations for the governor in the regard to the structure of the Department of Human Services, so you'll be [...]

"If you know about this scheme if you have information concerning the scheme please contact us." That's the message to Minnesotans from U-S Attorney Andrew Luger in the aftermath of Tuesday's announcement that 47 defendants are charged for their alleged roles in a $250 million fraud scheme. Luger says the scheme exploited the federally-funded Feeding Our Future child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic. He says even more charges are possible.

Republicans say tight numbers in the latest poll show candidate for governor Scott Jensen and attorney general candidate Jim Schultz poised to win in November, while Democrat Tim Walz's campaign says Jensen trailing the governor even on a conservative website poll shows he's struggling with an extreme agenda.  We asked Carleton College political scientist Steven Schier, what in the closing weeks of the campaign could tip the election one way or the other? "The abortion issue's pretty well set.  I don't think there's going be any major, dramatic national or statewide abortion disclosures in the last two weeks of the campaign.   [...]

For local football fans wanting to navigate online sports betting, there are opportunities in some nearby states. Ever since the U-S Supreme Court paved the way for all states to legalize sports gambling, many have done it. Minnesota is still debating the idea, but neighbors such as Iowa and South Dakota allow it. Susan Sheridan Tucker, of the Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling, says if you plan to cross the border to place a wager, be mindful of how persuasive these apps can be through their advertising: "Many of the ads are promoting free play, and free dollars to encourage people [...]

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. According to preliminary data, there were 777 suicides in Minnesota last year--mirroring trends across the United States. Tanya Carter with the state Health Department says if you or someone you know is struggling... "Reach out you never know when you might put a smile on somebody's day you don't know what somebody's going through be attentive and really look look look at your neighbor check in on your loved one every now and then." Earlier this summer, the U-S rolled out a nationwide three-digit dialing code--988--to access suicide prevention and crisis support. Since switching to [...]

A committee in the Republican-controlled Minnesota Senate this morning (9am) takes a closer look at the state Human Services Department, after the legislative auditor found the agency did not adequately oversee distribution of tens of millions of dollars in housing assistance.  Anoka Senator Jim Abeler says there have been problems in other areas including child care programs, and "maybe it's time" to split that department into separate agencies: "They go from managing sex offenders to setting child care policy to running treatment for people with severe and profound disabilities -- and then overseeing all of that with their licensing department.  And [...]

The bagpiper receding into the distance as the late Queen Elizabeth the Second was laid to rest in Saint George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, while Minnesotans joined an estimated four billion around the world to pay their last respects: ..."to take out of this transitory life unto His divine mercy, the late, most high, most mighty and most excellent monarch, Elizabeth the Second." "I won't put her in any religious category, but clearly she has touched the hearts and minds of people all across the world." ...Catherine Jordan with the British American Project in Minnesota.

It's National Voter Registration Day (TUE) and Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon is visiting colleges to get the word out. Simon says he's visiting colleges because... "Young voters vote at lower rates than the rest of us and so the more you can get those good habits started early talking about voting even before its voting season or certainly before it's election day the better." Simon says registering to vote is easy. You can do it in person on election day, or you can do it online anytime at mnvotes.gov.