"We hope these students create the next Google," said one of the company's executives. The Google crew worked with 75 Minneapolis students who will be summer interns for Twin Cities businesses through the Step Up program. It was Google's first youth entrepreneurship summit.

However, when questioned about bringing tech jobs to the area -- Eric Schmidt says Google doesn't have any future plans in Minnesota. The company says its web-based tools have provided more than $1 billion in economic value to the state.

Google’s “instant” results appear in the search box the moment searchers begin typing a term. For every letter of the alphabet, Google autocompletes the most popular search terms. Type in T – and the first result is Minnesota-based retailer Target. Type in B and you'll see another state-based chain: Best Buy.

Michele Bachmann has taken some flack in the press from none other than her former campaign manager, Ed Rollins. When reporters pointed out that Rollins has had a history of sharp remarks about his former employers, Bachmann responded: “I guess I should have done that Google search."

Minnesota Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar voted to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act in a Senate committee hearing Thursday. The repeal effort still needs to pass on the Senate floor and faces challenges in the Republican-controlled House.

The search giant is joining with retailers such as Best Buy and Macy's to create Web-based circulars, similar to what appears in your Sunday paper. The service will display custom ads based on your location and search topics. Best Buy hopes the new ads will get Web surfers into their stores. Researchers says the new ads will likely give Google an even greater share of the online ad market.

The company is backtracking on the plan in order to keep its 6 million customers happy. Franken tells Forum Communications while he's pleased with OnStar's decision, he still has questions about how the company uses its customers’ information.

Sen. Al Franken expressed new concerns Thursday about how closely mobile phone companies track smart phone usage. He believes that companies may be tracking things such as the number of text messages a user receives and what phone numbers they dial.