The Minnesota Legislature begins its next session on Feb. 17 and there will be some big changes for visitors to the building with new security checkpoints at entrances. The move comes in wake of attacks on lawmakers at their homes last summer and a breach of the Minnesota Senate chamber when a man broke into the building after hours. | Link to more in the comment section. | WCCO & CBS News Minnesota

The Minnesota Legislature begins its session Tuesday with a divided chamber. The House is tied and the Senate has a one-seat majority, making bipartisan cooperation essential for passing legislation. Local lawmakers from Rochester are focused on two major issues heading into the session. The first is addressing fraud in the state's social services system to ensure vulnerable Minnesotans receive the help they need. The second is gun legislation, with lawmakers on both sides expressing a desire to