The measure allowing county attorneys and their assistants to carry firearms while on duty was overwhelmingly approved by the Legislature after last year's courtroom shooting that wounded the Cook County attorney. Prosecutors must still gain a state permit to carry a gun.

A Wisconsin law permitting residents to carry concealed handguns went into effect Tuesday. By Saturday, the state has 20,000 applications. State officials expect as many as 200,000 in the first few months.

Fire officials are concerned with the extremely dry conditions and the potential for a dangerous fire season this spring. The Star Tribune reports the DNR began requiring permits for open burning this week because of the lack of snow cover. The U.S. Drought Monitor shows most of Minnesota is experiencing some degree of drought.

Tens of thousands of permits have poured in in just the first week. Wisconsin residents first have to pass a background check and proven they've taken firearms training before they can get a permit.

The House bill would apply to Clarence Opheim, who could be released from the sex offender program as early as this weekend. Existing law has no provision for notifying neighbors of the halfway house where he'll be living.