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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

2012 State Fair: The Great Minnesota Get Together Opens

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Thursday, August 23, 2012   

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Music, food, farm and fun are the draws today as the turnstiles open on the 2012 Minnesota State Fair.

The food often is the highlight of the fair, and spokeswoman Brienna Schuette says more than 450 foods are available - including 40 new ones.

"Everything from bacon ice cream to beef tongue tacos to poutine, which is a favorite out of Canada - also known as 'disco fries' - and lamb chops on a stick. So, it runs the whole gamut as far as all the new foods we're bringing in this year."

Another big attraction for the Great Minnesota Get Together are the shows in the grandstand. Schuette thinks this year's lineup is the best ever, and it begins tonight with Bonnie Raitt and Mavis Staples.

"We've got a great weekend of country music with Alan Jackson and Blake Sheldon. And then legendary R&B artist Anita Baker, Demi Lovato and Hot Chelle Rae are going to be here. Kiss and Motley Crue, Rascal Flatts, Journey, Pat Benatar and Loverboy are going to be here."

New attractions at this year's fair include nightly laser light shows and what's called the Luminarium.

"It is an 11,000-square-foot inflatable sculpture with caverns and tunnels that immerse fairgoers in light and color, and it's set to its own original soundtrack. So, you'll be able to walk through and experience the Lumiarium."

Hundreds of exhibits and information booths will be open on the fairgrounds. Mike Sheldon, spokesman for ClearWay Minnesota, says his group will be talking to people about kicking the habit, as the rate of smokers in the state has dropped to a record low 16 percent.

"We're certainly making progress, but that does mean there are still 625,000 Minnesotans who are still smokers. The issue that we have, too, is that the young adults, those who are the 18- to 24-year-olds, are smoking at much higher rates than the general population."

The Great Minnesota Get Together, the largest 12-day event in North America, is expected to attract about 1.8-million visitors during its run.

More information is online at mnstatefair.org.



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