A World War II veteran who missed graduation at his Minneapolis high school 69 years ago will finally cross the commencement stage on Saturday. The 88-year-old joined the Marines in 1943 and was called off two days before his Roosevelt High School graduation ceremony.

As students return to campus, college health officials are trading popular handouts of coupons and credit cards for ear plugs and sleep shades.

St. Paul Public Schools officially kicked off its campaign for a renewal and extension of a property tax levy Saturday, KARE 11 reports. There are 40 districts across the state that have an operating levy question on the November ballot.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan was at Irondale High School for a town hall meeting Friday afternoon with Sen. Amy Kolbuchar and Gov. Mark Dayton. This fall, the New Brighton school will be the first-in-the-state to offer freshmen and sophomores advance courses that can earn them a two-year college degree.

Carleton College and Macalester College are among the top 100 schools in the United States, according to Forbes. Carleton came in 31st and Macalester ranked 78th. Fifteen other Minnesota colleges and universities were named on the annual list of America’s 650 Top Colleges.

High school students thinking about going to college may have the opportunity to apply for free Nov. 12-16 during Minnesota College Application Week. Last year, Governor Dayton proclaimed that the second week in November is to be dedicated to informing students about the college application process, especially first generation college students, students of color and low-income students.

A new study lays out recommendations for boosting enrollment even further as more students take advantage of programs that can earn them college credits while still in high school. The programs can save students and their families thousands of dollars in tuition. Students who get an early start often do better once they're in college as well.

Many of Minnesota's business leaders are frustrated with Gov. Mark Dayton for scuttling some of their biggest goals in the legislative session. Dayton closed the book on the session by vetoing a largely Republican-written bill that would have provided property tax relief for small businesses, as well as increasing tax credits for research and development and to those who invest in start-up stage companies.