Good morning, and happy Wednesday. Here’s the Digest.
1. If DFL Gov. Mark Dayton wins his supreme court appeal over his veto of legislative funding, Republican leaders say it will tip the balance of power at the Capitol. Dayton’s move took $130 million away from the Legislature for the next two years. The two sides agreed earlier this summer to keep state money flowing to the House and Senate while they fight out the bigger issues in court, but that agreement expires Oct. 1. If the lower court ruling stands, the Legislature gets its funding. But if Dayton wins, legislative leaders will face a choice: Do they tap their limited reserve funds to pay the bills until the 2018 session starts in February? Or do they negotiate a deal with the governor on the budget? (MPR News)
2. A Minneapolis bar is suffering backlash as news spread that its owner donated $500 to former KKK leader David Duke’s 2016 Senate campaign. Some performers canceled gigs at Club Jäger while patrons took to social media, vowing to take their business elsewhere after City Pages published a story about the political donation by the North Loop bar’s owner, Julius DeRoma, to Duke’s failed bid for the U.S. Senate seat in Louisiana. (Star Tribune)
3. The mayor of Crosby in north-central Minnesota has resigned. Jim Hunter was elected last year for a two year term and was arrested in March, charged with felony theft by swindle, assault and several other charges. Hunter had denied calls for him to step down prior to this week. The criminal charges filed in Crow Wing County District Court in March against Hunter weaved allegations of a love affair intertwined with an illegal financial scheme, culminating in confrontation and gunplay. Together with alleged lover and accomplice Candice Ann McCartan, Hunter reportedly ran a confidence trick against her husband, a criminal complaint stated. ( Pioneer Press)
4. Hennepin County officials want to buy the landmark Thrivent Financial building in downtown Minneapolis for $55 million. The proposal was on the County Board’s agenda Tuesday, but some commissioners expressed concerns and tabled a vote to get more information. Commissioner Mike Opat said the county already had enough space for its employees and didn’t see the need for additional property. (Star Tribune)
5. New Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo picked four veteran officers, all men, as his executive leadership team. But the city’s 53rd police chief says he knows the department must do more to break down barriers for women. “The number one demographic that we’re seeing decreases in terms of recruitment and hiring and retention is women,” Arradondo told MPR News in an interview Tuesday. He said he’s been talking to female officers on the force to ask them about the challenges of bringing more women into the department and why fewer women already in the ranks are taking promotional exams. Arradondo said he’s committed to including women on the force and in department leadership. Until recently, the chief and the department’s second-in-command were women. Janeé Harteau was forced out last month as chief after a Minneapolis officer responding to a 911 call shot and killed the caller. (MPR News)
