The Minnesota Senate streamlined Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau's job title on Thursday (Feb, 28) as expected, rejecting her confirmation as commissioner of the Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT).

Gov. Tim Pawlenty's experiment in having his lieutenant governor pull double-duty came to an end on a 44-22 party line vote.

Pawlenty was "disappointed" by the Senate vote, he said at a Capitol press conference.

Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau has one less responsibility following action by the Minnesota Senate on Thursday afternoon. The Senate voted to reject her confirmation as commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation. (Photo by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)

Read more: As expected, Senate rejects Molnau's confirmation as transportation commissioner

After nearly a year of silence, the Minnesota State College Faculty (MSCF) union at Anoka Technical College (ATC) has made public its vote of no confidence in President Anne Weyandt.

When a no confidence vote is taken, the leadership does not remain normally in place long afterward, said Nancy Gale, MSCF president at ATC. See more in exclusive story in ABC Newspapers by Tammy Sakry.

Seven months and one day after a frenzied overnight knife attack on ex-girlfriend Penny Peters in Rush City, Steven J. Pawliszko was found guilty of attempted murder by a Chisago County jury.

See more in Patrick Tepoorten's ECM Post Review story.

A 3-year-old Coon Rapids girl remains in critical condition at Hennepin County Medical Center today (Thursday, Feb. 28) with burns following a fire in a Coon Rapids apartment Tuesday afternoon.

Jadea Oldenburg, 11020 Mississippi Blvd., has third-degree burns on her body from her knee to her chin, according to Coon Rapids Fire Marshal Todd Williams. See more in Peter Bodley's updated ABC Newspapers story.

Minnesota is projected to run a $935 million state budget deficit this spending cycle, according to the just released February economic forecast.

Read more: February economic forecast projects $935 million deficit

No one would ever know that the little energetic girl with her fairy-tooth smile, her infectious giggle and her drooping left eye was much different from many kids her age.

She is different, though. At closer glance it becomes evident that she does not talk much, but there are a lot of kids who are shy. See more in Bob Grawey's Star News feature story.

Christian and Katey have a special bond. Big brother says he would not trade his sister for anything in the world. (Photo by Rechelle Donais)

Two Prior Lake High School students were arrested on Feb. 20 for illegally selling a prescription drug.

Felony-level charges have been filed against Trent Thompson, 18, and a 15-year-old male, both of Prior Lake. See more in Jessica Harper's Thisweek Online story.

Congresswoman Michele Bachmann on Wednesday, Feb. 27 testified before the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support about her bipartisan School Choice for Foster Kids Act (H.R. 4311).

Read more: Congresswoman Bachmann fights for foster children in School Choice for Foster Kids Act