Klobuchar in debt talks

Sen. Amy Klobuchar predicts there will be a debt ceiling and deficit reduction bill coming out of the Senate soon.

Klobuchar said she's been meeting privately with several bipartisan groups of senators trying to negotiate a deal that will be acceptable to both Democrats and Republicans.

The "Gang of Six" -- Democrats Dick Durbin of Illinois, Mark Warner of Virginia and Kent Conrad of North Dakota, and Republicans Saxby Chambliss of Georgia, Mike Crapo of Idaho and Tom Coburn of Oklahoma -- met for months earlier this year trying to reach a deal. Coburn pulled out in May after an impasse over raising taxes, stalling negotiations.

But with the August debt ceiling deadline nearing, talks within the group started up again, and Coburn has considered rejoining.

Klobuchar said a Senate bill to raise the debt ceiling and reduce the deficit could be introduced in the Senate this week. The deal would involve increasing the borrowing limit, she said, while cutting spending, closing tax loopholes and ending subsidies.

Klobuchar said she plans to talk next week with Minnesota business leaders, including top executives at General Mills and 3M, to encourage them to help get the word out about the ramifications of default. She also plans to explain to constituents how they could be personally affected by default.

"We can't play Russian roulette with the economy," she said.

JEREMY HERB, JIM SPENCER

No dice to horse racing

A few hours before Thursday's budget deal was announced, paving the way for the resumption of horse racing in Minnesota, the judge ruling on continuing operations during the state government shutdown rejected the central argument of the tracks' owners.

Reconsidering her previous denial of the appeal by owners of the Canterbury Park and Running Aces tracks, Ramsey County Chief Judge Kathleen Gearin once again denied it in an order issued Thursday.

Unlike other organizations that argued to Gearin that they perform a core function for the state, the tracks' attorneys argued that racing operations should be allowed to stay open because the Minnesota Racing Commission, the government agency that regulates racing, is fully funded by Canterbury and Running Aces.

However, Gearin found that the tracks rely on a legislative appropriation that wasn't issued before the government shutdown began July 1.

In Shakopee, where Canterbury's track and card club is one of the biggest employers, the track laid off 1,000 workers. About 600 people have been laid off at the Running Aces track near Forest Lake.

BOB VON STERNBERG

Ellison trashes his knee

Rep. Keith Ellison needed surgery Wednesday after falling and injuring his knee during a workout.

Ellison tore a tendon in his left knee when he fell that morning while running on a treadmill in the House gymnasium, spokeswoman Jennifer Gore said.

The Minnesota congressman remained in a Washington-area hospital overnight after the surgery, she said.

A full diagnosis on the extent of Ellison's injury is not yet available, Gore said.

JEREMY HERB