Minneapolis primary primers

It's less than two weeks before the September 13 political primaries. While Minneapolis isn't quite a one-party town, the DFL is dominant enough for the primaries to be more important than the general election in determining the eventual winner in some races.

Minnesota Public Radio ran an informative, succinct story on how a proposed highrise development in Uptown is affecting the primary race in Ward 10. And the bi-weekly Southwest Journal and its sister publication the Skyway News have put together a strong package of stories for their respective voter's guides. The SWJ features previews of the primaries in Wards 10, 7, 13, and 8. There is only one contested primary race in Skyway's circulation area--Ward 3. But in addition to a preview of that contest, Skyway includes rewarding features that are also in SWJ, regarding cops and public safety, the smoking ban, and the pension mess in Minneapolis. The city's best parks board reporter, Scott Russell, chimes in on relevant park board races. Even the taxing and library board candidates are covered.