JEFF BAENEN

Associated Press
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Bixby Energy founder accused of lying to investors

The founder of Bixby Energy Systems Inc. was indicted Wednesday on a charge of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, a week after the Minnesota-based alternative energy company admitted defrauding investors of up to $7 million.

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Eleanor Mondale, daughter of Walter Mondale, dies

Eleanor Mondale, the vivacious daughter of former Vice President Walter Mondale who carved out her own reputation as an entertainment reporter, radio show host and gossip magnet, has died at her home in Minnesota. She was 51.

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Hand-drawn St. John's Bible completed, on display

It was a task of biblical proportions — drawing every letter and illustration in a Bible painstakingly by hand. Now, 13 years after its inception, the brightly colored and massive St. John's Bible is complete, and pages from the finished work are about to go on display.

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US hikers jailed in Iran make rare call to family

Two American hikers held captive in Iran have called home for only the third time since their arrest nearly two years ago.

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Minnesota Public Radio CEO, founder to step down

Bill Kling started Minnesota Public Radio with just one station in a college town more than 40 years ago and built a broadcasting empire that stretches into southern California and South Florida. Now, MPR's parent company will look for a new leader after Kling, its founder and only CEO since 1966, announced Friday that he plans to step down next year.

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New wave of US cities look at bike-sharing plans

The new message to commuters in Minneapolis: Hit a bicycle pedal instead of a gas pedal.

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Nurses in Minn., Calif. set strike dates

Thousands of nurses in Minnesota and California on Friday announced plans to walk off the job for a single day next month if they don't reach contract agreements with hospitals.

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How does it feel? Teenager shows he's 'got Dylan'

How does it feel to be a Bob Dylan soundalike?

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Newbery winner Gaiman gives readers `Instructions'

Winning the highest honor for children's literature is changing Neil Gaiman's image from cult favorite to celebrity author. And it's making him think twice before he Tweets.

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Minn. bridge collapse widow adopts Haitian twins

Betsy Sathers wears the glow of a new mother as she perches on the couch in her family room, smiling and chatting with visitors while still managing to keep an eye on the 2-year-old twins burbling and cavorting at her feet.

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Video game watchdog shuts down, victim of economy

A Minneapolis group that has issued an annual report each holiday season since 1996 to help parents decide on video games for their children is shutting its doors because of the poor economy.

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Video game watchdog shuts down, victim of economy

David Walsh said when he was assembling his first report card on video game violence 13 years ago, children were attacking on-screen monsters or aliens with imaginary chain saws and guns.

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Fans can investigate Sherlock Holmes in Minn.

Anyone searching for clues about the enduring popularity of Sherlock Holmes need not look only to his headquarters on London's Baker Street.

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Vikings RB Peterson gets 109 mph speeding ticket

Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson could lose his driver's license after police clocked him driving at 109 mph — nearly twice the posted speed limit — on a suburban Minneapolis highway last weekend.

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Ventura turns investigator for 'Conspiracy Theory'

Jesse Ventura is back for another stab at TV stardom, this time hosting a program that digs into conspiracy theories, including alternate views of what was behind the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and the purpose of a sprawling research center in remote Alaska.

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Students get schooled on hip-hop at Minn. college

DJ Freddy Fresh slaps a vinyl record on the turntable, cues it up and tells a student, "Remember, the top of the note was there, right? Grab it."

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Lighter in debt, Star Tribune nears Ch. 11 exit

When the Star Tribune emerges from bankruptcy protection later this month, Minnesota's largest newspaper will be far leaner than it once was — but with the same pressure to generate revenue.

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Minn. firm can't arbitrate credit card, other debt

Attorney General Lori Swanson said Sunday that her office reached a sweeping legal settlement that requires a Minnesota company to get out of the business of arbitrating credit card debts and other consumer collection disputes nationwide.

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Jayhawks reunite with classic lineup

While critics give the Jayhawks credit for helping invent alt-country, co-founder Mark Olson is quick to downplay the band's contributions to the rustic blend of rock and country that blossomed in the 1980s and '90s.

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Ailing guitarist gets second chance changing hands

Guitarist Billy McLaughlin was at the top of his game a decade ago, a fingerstyle player noted for his technique of tapping on strings, when he began having problems controlling his left hand, missing notes with no clue why. Audiences thought he was drunk.

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Keillor looks back as 'Prairie Home' turns 35

For the 35th anniversary of his "A Prairie Home Companion," humorist Garrison Keillor will be in "Lake Wobegon" when he reads the news from Lake Wobegon.

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Death of Somali teen a mystery to Minnesota family

Burhan Hassan was an infant when he left his homeland of Somalia. He grew up American, a bright student with dreams of becoming a doctor or lawyer. But now his family is trying to find out why the 18-year-old was killed under mysterious circumstances in Somalia.

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Hearing delayed on Star Tribune drivers' contract

A Teamsters official says the union and the Star Tribune have agreed to postpone a bankruptcy court hearing set for next week on the newspaper's request to cancel its contract with unionized drivers.

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Judges denies NFLPA plea to hold off suspensions

A federal judge denied on Friday a request by the NFL Players Association to put the suspensions of five players on hold while the case over use of a banned substance is being appealed.

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Web site to raise money for Minn. cancer patient

The family of a 13-year-old cancer patient who fled Minnesota with his mother because they objected to chemotherapy are using the Web to raise money for expenses that could mount as he restarts the therapy Thursday.

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