AM.MN: Budget situation ‘solvable’? Try ‘incomprehensible’

“Solvable” is how Gov. Tim Pawlenty describes Minnesota’s forecasted $1.2 billion state budget deficit. Others from around the state used different words. East Grand Forks: “Worried.”  Minneapolis: “Sad.” St. Cloud: “Tough.” Rochester: “Deja vu.” Wadena: “Outrageous.” Winona: “Incomprehensible.” Crookston: “Era of unallotment.” Clay County: “Bleak.” Moorhead: “Frightening.”

Elsewhere in Minnesota news this morning … 

MINNEAPOLIS: “Obama has let us down.” Eleven arrested as marchers stopped downtown traffic, protesting the president’s escalation of the Afghan war. [FOX 9]

SIXTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: Maureen Reed is primary-bound. She’ll try for the DFL Party endorsement, but the Independence Party that once tapped her for lieutenant governor won’t cross-endorse. [MinnPost]

ST. PAUL: High-living Tom Petters faces possible life in prison. The jury found the Ponzi schemer guilty on 20 counts. [Minnesota Public Radio]

MISSISSIPPI RIVER: Barges can’t take a few snowflakes? The shipping season ended after 254 days. [Associated Press]

FRAZEE: State ought to help towns tap wind power. Iowa’s ahead on alternative energy, said DFL gubernatorial candidate Matt Entenza. [Frazee-Vergas Forum]

HIBBING AND MINNEAPOLIS: Prince and Bob Dylan to vie for best rock vocal performance Grammy. Native sons’ nominated songs’ titles are already fighting: Prince’s “Dreamer” vs. Dylan’s “Beyond Here Lies Nothing.” [St. Paul Pioneer Press]