The former rectory of the Guardians Angels Catholic Church in Oakdale has officially become the first homeless shelter in Washington County. The manager of the facility -- which can house about six families a night -- is also meant to promote the awareness of homelessness.

Eight recently confirmed cases of tuberculosis in Grand Forks County have a common link: the cases have all been diagnosed in people who are homeless and have stayed in area shelters. WDAY in Fargo reports 250 people in the Grand Forks area have been tested for TB since the first three cases were confirmed in October.

The new leader of the majority the Minnesota Senate, David Senjem, has filled out his leadership team. Sen. Julianne Ortmann, of Chanhassen, will serve as deputy majority leader and Sen. Bill Ingebritsen, of Alexandria, will an assistant senate majority leader.

A new report by BMO Capital Markets paints a picture of Minnesota's economy as slowly but surely recovering. The unemployment rate of less than six percent is helped by fresh hiring in the construction industry and an easing of job cuts among government employees. Housing is still considered a weak spot, but at least prices are recovering and there are signs that more building is on the horizon.

Mortgage rates have slipped to a new low, bolstering hopes that the beleaguered housing market will continue to strengthen. The latest numbers suggest that this will be one of the busiest spring housing markets in several years.