Hello and welcome to Thursday. Let’s take a look at the Digest.
1. New census estimates show Minnesota’s population grew by nearly 186,000 people since 2010. Most of that growth is coming in the Twin Cities, and the metro area population tops3 million people for the first time. (MPR News)
2.A group of legislative Republicans want to restrict which bathrooms and locker rooms transgender people can use. A bill they released Wednesday would require people to use the facilities designated for the gender they were identified as when they were born. It also bans employers from allowing people to use the bathrooms designated for the sex they now identify with. Gov. Mark Dayton threatened to veto the measure if it reaches his desk. He says it’s an appalling political maneuver designed to appeal to conservative voters. (MPR News)
3. Republican Party of Minnesota Chair Keith Downey talked to a group of Muslims at an event near the Capitol Wednesday. Much of what he said was in response to comments from Donald Trump. He argued that it’s important not to violate anyone’s right to practice their religion but that candidates should also be allowed to say what they think. (Star Tribune)
4. House Speaker Paul Ryan’s speech Wednesday about the lamentable state of American politics was just one step in a GOP effort to wall off congressional races from the campaign for the White House if Donald Trump is the Republican nominee. (Washington Post)
5. The Supreme Court may be headed to its first 4-4 decision after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. The case involves the Little Sisters of the Poor, the Affordable Care Act and whether health insurance should cover contraception. (NPR)
