At a press conference in his St. Paul headquarters today, Sen. Norm Coleman announced that he will be ending all negative campaign ads for the remainder of the Senate campaign.

By Shannon Fiecke, Staff Writer

Until Friday, a campaign sign for Congressman John Kline was posted in the Chaska yard of Kevin Masrud.

Masrud, a network engineer, endorsed Kline at the Republican Congressional Convention. He and his children marched for him in the Chaska parade.

“I really like John,” Masrud said. “He was one of my heroes. I used to brag about him to my friends.”

The Scott County Historical Society is partnering with Southwest Newspapers (owner of the Valley News) to host candidate debates this month as part of its new political exhibit.

Send questions for the candidates to info@scottcountyhistory.org. Indicate whom the question is for.

The forum will be at the historical society, 235 Fuller St. S., Shakopee. Recordings of the debates will be available later on the newspaper Web site and local cable access.

The Scott County Historical Society is partnering with Southwest Newspapers (owner of the Valley News) to host candidate debates in October as part of its new political exhibit.

Send questions for the candidates to info@scottcountyhistory.org. Indicate whom the question is for.

The Scott County Historical Society is partnering with the Southwest Newspapers to host candidate debates in October as part of its new political exhibit. Send questions for the candidates to info@scottcountyhistory.org. Indicate whom the question is for.

The forum will be held at the historical society, 235 South Fuller St., Shakopee. Recordings of the debates will be available later on the newspaper Web site and local cable access.

Debates:

By Shannon Fiecke

As a newcomer to politics with two strong opponents, it wouldn’t have surprised Prior Lake police Detective Chris Olson to land at the bottom of the heap in the primary race for Scott County commissioner. So he was pleasantly surprised to lead the pack Tuesday, coming in with 553, or 46 percent, of the votes, securing one of two spots for the District 2 race on the fall ballot. 

It's primary election day. Polls will be open until 8 p.m.

See results of area contests on this Web site after polls close.

People throughout Minnesota looking for comprehensive voter information before the Sept. 9 primary can get help from the League of Women Voters Minnesota online voter guide at www.vote.lwvmn.org and a voter information hotline at 877-580-5008.

Nearly 50 percent of those participating in the 2008 House of Representatives State Fair Poll support raising the state’s sales tax by three-eighths of 1 percent with the money dedicated to the environment and arts.

During the 12-day run of the Minnesota State Fair, 7,465 fairgoers took the poll conducted by nonpartisan House Public Information Services. It is an informal, unscientific survey on issues discussed in prior legislative sessions and may again be topics of discussion.

By Mollee Francisco, Correspondent 

Odds are good that John McCain will take the stage at the Republican National Convention next week wearing a traditional suit and tie.

But Victoria resident Bob Truax wouldn’t be that shocked to see the presumptive Republican presidential nominee donning a pair of patriotic Zubaz.