Rick Kupchella's - BringMeTheNews.com

Twins Cities’ sports scene No. 9 in nation

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:33:11 +0000

As bad as the Minnesota sports scene may seem, the rest of the country doesn't necessarily view it the same way. AOL Real Estate used its own criteria to rank the sports scenes across the country, and the Twin Cities came up No. 9 on the list.

Pekovic scores 27, Wolves cut down Nets, 108-105

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:07:13 +0000

Nikola Pekovic scored 27 points to lead the Timberwolves to a 108-105 win over the Nets on Friday night. Pekovic’s previous career high was 16 points. He also pulled down 11 rebounds for a double-double. Kevin Love added 20 points and 10 rebounds.

Rebounding 101 with Kevin Love

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:54:40 +0000

Kevin Love is always at the top, or near the top of the league lead in rebounding. He tells the Pioneer Press that there are three keys to rebounding. They are the "will to win", being in the right position and assuming every shot is a miss.

Tobacco compliance reaches record high

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:06:02 +0000

The Minnesota Department of Human Services reports 97.6 percent of retailers checked selling tobacco products are following underage tobacco laws. In order to receive federal funding for prevention and treatment efforts, Minnesota is required to have a least an 80 percent compliance rate. During the 12-month survey, law enforcement agencies issued about 600 citations to store owners.

Kluwe opines on the Super Bowl

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:56:25 +0000

Vikings punter Chris Kluwe has an opinion on just about everything, including the Super Bowl. He's predicting a Patriots victory because head coach Bill Belichick knows how to put his team in a favorable position, and quarterback Tom Brady won't want to feel the sting of another Super Bowl loss.

Blackburn, Baker healthy and ready for 2012 season

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:17:52 +0000

Injuries were a major problem for the Twins in 2011. That's why the news that Scott Baker and Nick Blackburn are healthy is a step in the right direction for the 2012 Twins. Blackburn says if everyone can stay healthy, the upcoming season "should be a different story."

Michele Bachmann: Republican primary could end soon

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:12:21 +0000

The Minnesota Congresswoman told Bloomberg that money will be the factor that narrows the field. Bachmann has yet to endorse any of the remaining Republican contenders. She dropped out of the race for the White House after finishing sixth in the Iowa caucuses.

Minnesota sex-offender program releasing its first convicted pedophile

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:03:34 +0000

Clarence Opheim will be freed to a Minneapolis halfway-house after 19 years in the sex-offender program. The Star Tribune reports the 64-year-old is the first patient to be released since the program started in 1994. Opheim was convicted in the late 1980s of criminal sexual assault of a teenage boy. His whereabouts will still be monitored with an electronic ankle-bracelet.

Vikings fans holding “Stadium Huddles” on Super Bowl Sunday

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:18:41 +0000

The parties are meant to show support for finalizing a stadium deal at the State Capitol. "Stadium Huddles" are taking place all across the state this weekend. You can learn more by joining Minnesota Momentum or checkout the new stadium playbook page on Vikings.com.

Wisconsin legislator brings gun to Assembly, cites toxic atmosphere

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:33:18 +0000

Republican Bill Kramer, the leader of the state Assembly, says he's been carrying a concealed gun to floor sessions and feels he needs the weapon because of the toxic atmosphere surrounding state politics right now. The AP says protesters angry over Gov. Walker's union law have been harassing Republican lawmakers.

University of Minnesota coaches brace for Joel Maturi replacement

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:32:28 +0000

Coaches are waiting to see whether the new University of Minnesota athletic director will be as supportive of lower revenue sports like gymnastics and wrestling as Joel Maturi is. Maturi fought to maintain support for sports that don't bring in as much money as cash cows football and basketball. University President Eric Kaler says all contracts are frozen until a new A.D. is hired.

Sen. David Hann questions salaries for health insurance exchange staff

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:57:15 +0000

"There is no clear purpose for what these people are doing," the Republican senator says about nine staffers who, in total, are receiving more than $787,000 in salary for their work on the state's health insurance exchange system.

MF Global owes farmers at least $100 million

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:10:46 +0000

Reuters reports the Chicago Mercantile Exchange has set up a $100 million fund to help farmers and ranchers who lost money after the collapse of commodities trading firm MF Global. Many farmers and agricultural businesses in Minnesota saw their accounts frozen after the firm suddenly went belly-up.

Minnesota researcher says divorce, longer lives are behind STD rise in older Americans

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:55:08 +0000

People are living longer and getting divorced more. One researcher at the University of Minnesota's Program in Human Sexuality says those are among the factors behind an increase in sexually transmitted diseases happening for people in their 60s and 70s.

Amy Senser civil suit resumes as attorneys meet in secret

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:48:11 +0000

Lawyers in a wrongful-death lawsuit against Amy Senser met on Friday to discuss whether a limited evidence-gathering process could continue. A judge had halted the evidence-gathering process in the civil case last year while Senser faces criminal charges. A lawyer involved said the discussion was confidential and did not say whether the judge had made a decision.

Duluth becoming beer tourism destination

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:40:33 +0000

A handful of craft beer breweries and brewpubs opened or are in the works in Duluth. The flurry of activity puts the northern port city in line to be a major player among cities drawing aficionados of tasty suds.

Northern Minnesota, Wisconsin among highest risk areas for Lyme disease

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:20:18 +0000

Parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin have among the highest rates of deer ticks carrying the bacteria that causes the debilitating Lyme disease infections. The revelation comes from the first study that looks at the number of disease carrying ticks rather than the number of people infected with the disease.

Komen backs off decision to cut funding to Planned Parenthood

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:40:37 +0000

Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure reversed an earlier decision to cut off funding for the agency after the news sparked a national uproar. The breast-cancer advocacy group maintains its original decision was not the result of pressure from anti-abortion groups.

Ponder believes Manning and Giants will reign

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:28:40 +0000

Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder appeared on a national radio show today and compared Giants quarterback Eli Manning to Patriots quarterback Tom Brady before Sunday’s big game. He praised both men, but said this year, he believes Manning and the Giants will come out on top.

Video Vault: Super Bowl XI highlights (Vikes-Raiders, 1977)

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:19:29 +0000

At least one person on the BMTN staff was actually at this game. He was 16, and his Dad took his three sons from freezing St. Paul to balmy Pasadena on a wild charter flight. (Everybody was smoking cigarettes and cigars. On the plane!) Thanks, Dad. And thanks YouTube, for allowing someone to post this three-part look back at the last time the Purple were in the big game.