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Minnesota

State shows off Capitol’s $310M

face lift with weekend bash

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — It’s time to party: The Minnesota Capitol is back open.

The Capitol has technically been open since January after a massive renovation to the century-old building kept it closed to the public for several years. But construction crews were putting the finishing touches on the building and its grounds until late last month.

The formal grand opening event beginning Friday calls for concerts, fireworks set to Minnesota music and political panels. It runs through Sunday.

Department of Administration spokesman Curt Yoakum says it’s a celebration of the building and the state’s way of giving it back to the public.

The $310 million renovation restored the Capitol’s crumbling roof, repaired heating and ventilation systems and restored priceless artwork throughout the building. It also more than doubled the building’s public gathering spaces.

Minnesota’s Rep. Lewis calls

protest at his home dangerous

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Rep. Jason Lewis is taking issue with protesters who showed up outside of his home.

The Wednesday morning protest at the first-term Republican congressman’s suburban house was organized by Take Action Minnesota, a liberal advocacy group. Video footage posted on Lewis’ Facebook page shows more than a dozen protesters chanting outside a home before delivering a large letter calling on Lewis to oppose cuts to Medicaid funding.

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