AM.MN: Vikings get stadium-funding on ballot (at State Fair)

Public funding for a new Vikings stadium didn’t get far at the state Legislature this year, but lobbyists didn’t come up completely dry either: The Minnesota House of Representatives has put the issue on its annual State Fair poll. Visitors to the House’s booth at the fair will also be asked about unallotment, early voting and medical marijuana. But the gift ban doesn’t apply, so beware of anyone trying to buy your vote with a Pot Roast Sundae or Brett Favre Goat-on-a-Stick.

Elsewhere in Minnesota news this morning …

MINNEAPOLIS: State Republicans to convene early. In 2010, they’re counting on April showers to bring a November governor. [Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal]

DULUTH: Pollution tour draws dozens. An environmental group’s charted cruise hit 23 contaminated sites in the Twin Ports harbor. [Duluth News Tribune]

ST. PAUL: Dems anted up for Franken. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee paid the new senator’s recount lawyers $500,000 in July. [Associated Press]

IRON RANGE: Unemployment sinks. But it’s still in the teens on the Range — and even went up a tick in Virginia, to 17.1 percent — while the statewide jobless rate for July was 8.1 percent. [Mesabi Daily News]

SARTELL: Private docks on public land can stay. But those who put a personal pier into the Mississippi River must pay $30 for a permit, the city council decided. [St. Cloud Times]

BEMIDJI: Annexation blues. The city can’t afford costs of absorbing township land as agreed — including Algoma Park, with a basketball court that’s short a backboard and nets.  [Bemidji Pioneer]