The school district recorded a net gain of about 200 students this year, a tiny gain – but a nice change of pace after so many years of losses. The district registered nearly 38,000 students this year, down from about 41,100 in 2005-06.

A St. Paul firefighter will receive a more than half million dollar settlement in a disability dispute. William Eldredge claims the fire department tried to fire him and transfer him to a lesser paying job because he had an eyesight disability.

For five decades, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra has touted itself as the only full-time chamber orchestra in the United States -- a prestigious ensemble noted for its international touring, recordings and Grammy Awards. But in tough labor talks that seek $1.5 million in annual savings, the SPCO is reconsidering whether it can afford full-time musicians.

Lynn Seibel has been charged with 17 counts of criminal sexual conduct in Minnesota stemming from the years that he was a drama teacher at the Faribault prep school. Police suspect he had inappropriate contact with students. But he is also charged in Los Angeles, where he lives and where police say they found child porn on his computer. He appeared in court on those charges Thursday and has pleaded not guilty. Minnesota authorities plan to let the California case run its course before bringing him back to the state.

A bartender at Erick's Bar in St. Paul cut off a customer and tried to escort him out, then the man stabbed him in the stomach. Other patrons darted after the suspect, tackled him and wrestled the knife away. The man apologized and told police he lost control.

A pedestrian was sent to the hospital in critical condition after being struck by a school bus in St. Paul. The man in his 50s or 60s was struck while the bus was taking a left-hand turn from Western Ave. onto Aurora Ave. He was transported to Regions Hospital and is expected to survive.

Instead to listening to lectures in class then working through the math problems at home, students in Stillwater will now watch their teachers' presentations over the web or on DVD -- then do their homework during class.