Daily Dwindler

• The controversial conceal-and-carry gun law will be heading back to court. For those who don't know, the original law was struck down due to the fact that it was tacked onto a completely unrelated bill. The same two churches that successfully repealed the law the first time have brought a new suit against its reincarnation, this time on constitutional grounds. They're arguing that the laws notification procedures infringes on their religious freedoms. I'm not sure that's the best way to argue it, but for some reason the court won't accept an argument based on the law's simple stupidity.
• In case you're not up to speed on St. Paul politics (and why wouldn't you be?), the living wage issue was supposed to be a major wedge in the mayoral race between incumbent Randy Kelly (DFL, not endorsed) and contender Chris Coleman (DFL-endorsed). The issue was brought to the forefront by a coalition of religious organizations, labor unions, and grass-roots groups when they demanded that all city-subsidized firms pay their workers a minimum living wage of 130 percent the federal poverty level, or about $12.09 an hour. Coleman has supported the coalition from the beginning, and Kelly has waffled. But now, Kelly has stated that he supports the coalition "75 percent" (whatever that means), so it appears the fireworks are going to fizzle before they ever leave the ground.
• Minnesota may have been unable to pass a forward-thinking transportation bill, but at least some Minnesota projects received funding from the recently passed federal transportation bill, including the futuristic, multi-modal Twin Cities and regional transportation hub that will overtake the Union Depot in downtown St. Paul. Largely due to the efforts of Rep. Jim Oberstar (DFL) from Chisholm, the project will get $50 million dollars, and a large shot in the arm. Click here for some of the Pie-Eyed Picayune's other suggestions for downtown St. Paul.
• Remember that $.75 cigarette fee (er, tax)? I know, I know, how could you forget? Well, the true impact of the tax will likely result in a $1.10 to $1.15 rise in prices at the retail level.
• The PiPress has a Q&A with 'Prairie Home Companion' director Robert Altman. Question: No more Lindsay! Lohan!? Answer: Dang.
• Katherine Kersten returns from vacation with a riveting, exclusive, breaking story: T-Wolves owner and billionaire Glen Taylor is a really really nice guy!

Note: I wrote a news posting in addition to the Daily Special Edition: Fun New Laws! yesterday, but it has mysteriously disappeared from the PeP. I don't know if this has anything to do with the addition of Xtrachromosomeconservative to our gene pool, but I wouldn't put sabotage past him. Be wary, PePpers... In order to make up for it, I've including some o the points I put down yesterday.