The report found full-time online students made less progress on standardized state math tests than students in traditional schools. It also found that one in four full-time online students dropped out of school.

Her lawyer says Susan Thornton will keep her job leading the panel that assigns lottery proceeds to Minnesota environmental projects. Thornton was fired last week with no notice and no specific reason given. A letter from lawmakers apparently rescinds that decision.

The Commerce, Public Safety and Natural Resources departments are all facing similar lawsuits over union contracts that award benefits to early retirees but not to older workers.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is warning farmers across the state to take precautions as they begin the fall harvest of their crops because the dry conditions could present fire hazards. The DNR says fires can be sparked by equipment in dry fields, so they urge farmers to prep their machinery to avoid overheating and sparks.

Monday's U.S. Supreme Court ruling struck down Montana's ban on corporate money in politics. Minnesota's campaign finance director says changes the Legislature made after 2010's landmark court case mean this week's ruling should have little impact here.

GOP leaders sent a request to Gov. Dayton Friday asking for more information on the recent paroles of two convicted murderers. Republican House Speaker Kurt Zellers wants a legislative hearing to review the two paroles of Timothy Eling -convicted of a 1982 cop killing- and John Scruggs- believed to have ordered the execution of a teenage girl.

Private online gambling is illegal in Minnesota, but the state lottery has been experimenting with an online "subscription service" to make up for a decline in traditional ticket sales. Now some critics are wondering whether the state is overstepping its authority.

The Campaign Finance and Disclosure Board says in some circumstances, groups funded by private donations that take sides on ballot measures -- like next year's marriage amendment -- will have to report the exact source of those donations with the state.