House passes noxious FISA bill; here's how Minnesota's delegation voted

Pop-up shops With retail vacancies high, reports the Star Tribune, malls are looking more favorably on “pop-up shops:” short-term leases, often with a focus on the holidays (think Spirit Halloween Superstores) or smaller, local businesses trying to see whether they can make it in the big time. MORE

Maybe you were looking for election news? Check here.

• Pop-up shops New business models for recession
• Dinosaurs doing battle Giant booksellers slug it out
• Farmland conservation: Not so much Conservation Reserve Program cuts loose millioins of acres
• Pawlenty, Bachmann shooting from the lipMORE »

Margaret Reinhardt writes:MORE »

"Sometimes I think that newspapers have lost their way given the competition with other news sources particularly television. Newspapers have always had something that TV news doesn't: the opportunity for readers to provide feedback via commentaries, letters to the editors, and op-ed pieces. Along comes online newspapers with a quick way to allow feedback, and publishers are back in the game of attracting readers. Indeed reader comments are popular, but are they the right thing to do?

Willie Murphy's new album A Shot of Love in a Time of Need/Autobiographical Notes (Red House Records) is going to fly off shelves like stores are giving it away.MORE »

When the leaves fall from your trees each year, consider them a resource --they contain nutrients that your lawn or garden needs!MORE »

These are some of the stories we are working on. If you would like to contribute information or opinions, please e-mail the writers!

• Freak Dancing Some high schools have been cracking down on “freak dancing”, where dancers grind against each other on the dance floor. As we work on this story, we welcome your stories and opinions: Where’s the line between freedom of expression and inappropriate behavior? Is this an issue at your local high school? Does your school have a policy, and how is it working? E-mail sheila@tcdailyplanet.net, or click here and leave a comment.

• Church suppers - Jeremy Iggers has posted a blog entry about upcoming church suppers, but he needs your suggestions of upcoming suppers to expand the story. Please post your recommendations as comments on the story or send him an e-mail at jeremy@tcdailyplanet.net.MORE »

The wise transit choice may not be the popular one...yet - Paul Nelson: Rail transit has a much greater leeway of operation and reliability over rubber tire travel in winter. This is the problem that our auto/car system suffers from. The expense to maintain roads in winter is enormous, and the accident rates in winter are high.MORE »