AM.MN: Duluth plea to move parked rail cars likely to fall on deaf ears

Didn’t people ride the rails during the Great Depression? On many Minnesota rail lines during this Great Recession, hobos wouldn’t move an inch because the stalled economy has left much rolling stock idle. The Duluth City Council will decide tonight whether to ask the North Shore Scenic Railroad to move train cars parked on its tracks that block views of Lake Superior, but the railroad’s owner says renting out its rails for boxcar storage is a money-maker. Meanwhile, in Lakeville, parked rail cars are proving perfect places for illicit activities. 

LAKE SUPERIOR: Senators versus the fish. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken joined the fight against a foreign invader: the Asian carp. Michigan is suing.  [KARE 11; Associated Press]

MINNEAPOLIS: Christmas came early. Council members voted themselves a 2.5 percent pay raise and decided to keep the $400 per month they get for driving places. [Star Tribune]

WILLMAR: Snowbirds asked to send in Census forms here. Those who wait to mail their info in from warmer climes will be counted there. [West Central Tribune]

LAKE PEPIN: Iceboaters enjoy clear sailing. The sport replaces drag racing on the iced-over Mississippi River. [Rochester Post-Bulletin]

STATEWIDE: Your eagle decal won’t get the state of debt. But buying a 2010 state-parks sticker as a gift can’t hurt. [Associated Press]

DETROIT LAKES: The 10,000 Lakes Festival is kaput. But you can re-live it online. [Park Rapids Enterprise]