AM.MN: Toyota truck-loving St. Paul asks Ford to try making vans instead

Ford still plans to shut its plant in St. Paul that makes light trucks. But now city leaders are asking the company to consider turning the plant into a fuel-efficient small-van factory. Besides, via an exclusive promotional contract signed last year, the city is on record as liking Toyota trucks best.

Elsewhere in Minnesota news this morning …

ST. PAUL: Unallotment details due today. The specifics of the governor’s unilateral cuts to state agencies will soon be made known to all. [Associated Press]

COHASSET: Al Franken tours power plant today. The U.S. Senate’s rising star is becoming a more common sight outstate than a night-sky falling star. [Duluth News-Tribune]

ST. PAUL: Minnesota Senate to talk national health care reform. Do town hall-erers come out at 10 a.m.? [MinnPost]

DULUTH: Frequent walker struck, killed. Howard Edward Nelson was widely recognized for strolls throughout the city. [Duluth News Tribune]

ALEXANDRIA: City swallows more land. Still a ways to go though before it rivals its Egyptian namesake. [Alexandria Echo Press]

WILLMAR: Local lads near New Orleans on raft. All on trip down Mississippi River are from Willmar; they kicked Huck Finn off the raft in Memphis. [West Central Tribune]