...level or higher than the state average.Still, there is work to be done, said Jennifer Godinez, associate director of the Minnesota Minority Education Partnership.Quist added, "Even though Brainerd is doing very well, there is a sizable...

Foreclosures in the state have fallen to the lowest level since 2006, the Minnesota Homeownership Center reported this month. There were 17,895 homes sold at sheriffs' sales in 2012, which amounted to a 16 percent decrease compared to 2011.

...not have this narrow vision."Turning their attention to assistance for laid-off workers, Anthony Alongi, director of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development's (DEED'S) Dislocated Worker and Trade Adjustment Assistance...

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minnesota's legislative auditor said Friday he's investigating a data privacy breach at the Department of Natural Resources in which an employee accessed the driving or motor vehicle records of about 5,000 people without authorization. That list includes several journalists, attorneys and government employees, and possibly some legislators.

...Minnesota, but the precise number is unclear because no state agency keeps track of them. Jim Franklin, executive director of the Minnesota Sheriffs' Association, said they're primarily used in urban Minnesota. "But like any technology, sooner...

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - A Minnesota math test that will soon be tied to graduation is causing consternation among some educators, who planned Tuesday to formalize a push to drop the requirement. The Star Tribune reports (http://bit.ly/TZWcrG ) that a task force reviewing state testing practices was expected to recommend breaking the link between passage of the test and graduation. Such a move would require approval from the state Legislature and governor.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - A half dozen police chiefs and sheriffs argued Tuesday in a packed Capitol hearing room that Minnesota isn't doing enough to protect against gun violence, kicking off three days of hearings on a host of new proposed limits on firearm ownership. Hundreds of people from both sides of the debate swarmed the Capitol office building for the hearing, jamming the committee room and several overflow areas a day after President Barack Obama visited Minneapolis to tout his federal gun-control proposals.

Count Katie Tretter and her family of rural Brainerd among those calling for legislation to restrict the use of body-gripping traps. Tretter contacted the Brainerd Dispatch Thursday to report that Birdie, her 4-year-old British Labrador, was killed Dec.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - An influential Minnesota House Democrat touted her bill Thursday that would more than double the state's cigarette tax, saying she's motivated by public health concerns and not additional tax money.

...disposal ceremony after all the wreaths were removed. WreathsForTheFallen.org officials thanked David Swantek, director of the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, and all the grounds keepers for providing the resting place for the country's honored...