am.mn logo“There’s nothing to” the Politico report that Norm Coleman would decide by the end of the year about running for governor. That decision is “down the road,” he says … as in “he plans to ’step back and look at the political horizon’ around the end of the year.” Coleman is focused on his new think tank (sorry, “do tank“), which was to be called America’s Action Network, but now apparently will be known to the world as the American Action Network.

Elsewhere in Minnesota news this morning … 
STATE CAPITOL: Conservative group wants Pawlenty back. A return trip to speak at CPAC could be a welcome getaway just as the state legislative session gets underway. [Polinaut]

FIFTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: How Afghanistan looks through U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison’s eyes. Literally, via YouTube. [Hot Dish Politics]

STATE CAPITOL ROTUNDA: Michele Bachmann to speak at spending-cap rally. She is backing Pawlenty’s proposed constitutional amendment Monday. [Polinaut]

MINNEAPOLIS: No police officer, firefighter cuts. The council’s budget committee trimmed the levy hike to 7.3 percent.[Star Tribune]

CHISHOLM: Historic Time Theater partly saved. Or partly doomed, depending. [Hibbing Daily Tribune]

KEEWATIN: “Everything will start hopping again.” That’s the mayor’s take on news that U.S. Steel will recall workers to Keewatin Taconite Co., aka Keetac. [Duluth News Tribune and Fox 21 News]