ST. PAUL (LEARFIELD) - A state Senate oversight committee today got an update on the new system set to replace the troubled Minnesota Licensing and Registration System known as MNLARS. MN-IT Commissioner Tarek Tomes says the new system will be a big improvement, but the days, weeks and months ahead will not be easy. "There will be as there always in the case of a large technology implementation, bumps in the road along the way," said Tomes. "There will be challenges that will require the state and its external partners to balance priorities, resources and stakeholder needs in order to implement [...]

MARSHALL (KMHL) – Officials from Harrison Truck Center in Marshall broke ground on a $3.5 million expansion project yesterday. The company’s Chad Harrison says the need for the expansion is because the company has been growing rapidly. "We're very excited, this location has grown over 175 percent in the last year," said Harrison. "They are busting at the seams and really need the space, we really can't even add anymore technicians without more bay space." Harrison credits the local staff with the growth. In addition, he says they've added outside parts sales that have really started to grow their part business. [...]

ST. PAUL (LEARFIELD) - Top Democrats in the Minnesota House say Senate Republicans "jumped the gun" by holding hearings on the turmoil in the state Human Services Department when that agency's new commissioner, Jodi Harpstead, had only been on the job one day. "We are going to have hearings about the Department of Human Services," said House Majority Leader Rep. Ryan Winkler (D-Golden Valley). "Senate Republicans jumped out early at a time when the new commissioner hadn't even had a chance to learn what was going on, I don't think those hearings were of any value." House Republicans want hearings during [...]