Minnesota Congresswoman Betty McCollum wants to prohibit the Pentagon from sponsoring NASCAR, pro wrestling, or fishing events. Her effort went nowhere last year, but this time she has a Republican co-sponsor and the measure gained committee approval.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and a string of $1,000 donations to area Salvation Army kettles has inspired at least one 'copycat' giver.

The $58.7 million deal will provide the U.S. Army with 20-millimeter training rounds. ATK will formally move its headquarters to Arlington, Va., on Saturday.

Army engineers say they're restoring a high-power setting on an electric barrier that they hope will prevent the invasive Asian carp from migrating from Chicago waters to the Great Lakes and Mississippi River. One official with the Army Corps tells the Associated Press he's confident the barrier is working, and that the higher setting is just an extra precaution.

Alliant Tech last year filed a protest asking the federal government to review a contract that the U.S. Army awarded to rival BAE Systems. Alliant on Tuesday told the Pioneer Press that the government has dismissed the company's protest.

The Recycling Association of Minnesota announced a statewide holiday light recycling program starting Nov. 15. Minnesotans can drop off old or broken holiday lights at Ace Hardware and other participating locations throughout the holiday season.

Minnesota's new political maps are out, and they pair Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann with Democrat Betty McCollum in the 4th District. But, as the Star Tribune reports, members of Congress don't have to live in the districts they represent, so she's free to run for re-election in her old 6th District.

Chief Warrant Officer Two Lucas Sigfrid was a Champlin Park High School graduate who attended St. Cloud State University before joining the Army. He was one of four soldiers killed when two helicopters crashed on a training mission at a base in Washington state.