Per a news release, Sen. Al Franken helped three members of the Minnesota Swarm pro lacrosse team -- an assistant coach, a scout and an equipment manager -- with a visa issue that otherwise would have prevented them from being in Minnesota for a pair of home games this weekend. From the release: On Monday, the team, along with officials from the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce, contacted Senator Franken for help when it looked like the time necessary to process the visas would prevent the three Canadian citizens from getting approval to enter the United States until next week. Senator Franken's staff spent Monday and Tuesday working with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Service to secure approval of the proper visas, and all three arrived at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport on Thursday.

The Swarm faces Edmonton at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Rochester at 2 p.m. Sunday. Both games are at Xcel Energy Center.