AM.MN: Which endangered species delays bridge now? Certified inspectors

An unsafe Larkin Township bridge that’s been closed for 10 months might not get replaced in time for farmers to cross with their fall harvest, even though a contractor got the job in June. The presence of two endangered species — the Topeka Shiner minnow and the tree swallow – delayed work at first. Now the problem is the absence of another endangered species: certified bridge inspectors. State budget cuts have left counties in the area short-staffed and the township unable to hire a consultant. One official pegged the Catch-22: “When you get [bridge-replacement] money from the State of Minnesota to the tune of several hundred thousand dollars, you’ve got to make sure the work is done right.”

Elsewhere in Minnesota news this morning…

GILFILLAN: Farmfester pesters Walz. At the annual rural roundup for pols, U.S. Rep. Tim Walz rebuffed some red baiting by citing his military record, and Rep. Collin Peterson likened Congress’ current session to “drinking from a fire hose.” [Politics in Minnesota; West Central Tribune]

STATEWIDE: Tattoo them. To tell the gubernatorial candidates apart. [Minnesota Daily]

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL: Not one town. To see how the low-key Saintly City differs from high-strung Moneyapolis, travel Marshall Avenue as it turns into Lake Street (try the 21A bus). [City Pages; Kevin Kling]

DULUTH: Mark them absent. School board candidates who back a Plan B alternative to the district’s Red Plan for closing and building schools were no-shows at a candidates forum. [Duluth News Tribune]

WAYZATA: Back on the tax rolls. One-time state GOP party chair Bill Cooper returned to run TCF Bank after fleeing to Florida, ranting about Minnesota taxes; he’s been paid in stock but now he’ll take a salary and, presumably, pay state taxes on it. [St. Paul Pioneer Press; Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal]

BEMIDJI: When “Tommy” met Paul. The local playhouse, named for pioneer-era psychedelic hero Paul Bunyon (giant blue ox? enormous flapjacks?), puts on a similarly warped vision of post-War Britain by staging The Who’s rock opera. [Bemidji Pioneer]