John Harrington, a former St. Paul police chief who retired after just one two-year stint as a DFL state senator, will become the new chief of police that enforces the law on Metro Transit buses, light rail and commuter rail. He'll oversee law enforcement on a rapidly growing network of light rail and bus transit in the Twin Cities.

Metro Transit rolled out a pair of hybrid-electric public transit buses at the Minnesota State Fair Friday, which will serve Minneapolis and surrounding communities. The buses -- which mark a first in the U.S. transit industry -- were funded by a $1.2 million federal grant and were built in-state.

The Metro Transit police department has a "lack of accountability at all levels," "confusion and negative perceptions at all levels," and does not appear to have anyone in charge of technology, according to a new report from the Upper Midwest Community Policing Institute.

St. Paul-based Metropolitan State University celebrates its 40th year and aims to expand in the Minneapolis suburbs.