A few final debates echoed through the state Capitol Monday, as lawmakers haggled over tax increases and union organizing in a session that's already seen a big spike in spending on schools and a landmark law legalizing gay marriage.

A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods and destroying an elementary school with a direct blow as children and teachers huddled against winds up to 200 mph. At least 51 people were killed, and officials said the death toll was expected to rise.

Even without an effective change-up, Julio Teheran still had enough to pitch into the ninth inning.

Deadly tornadoes that have raked communities in Middle America over the past week, including Monday's massive twister that carved a path of destruction through the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, belie what had been a relatively quiet start of the 2013 tornado season.

Julio Teheran pitched 8 1-3 strong innings, Dan Uggla hit a three-run homer and the Atlanta Braves won their fourth straight game with a 5-1 victory over the struggling Minnesota Twins on Monday.

New research indicates that Lake Superior's warming water is probably already affecting its most abundant big fish: the cold water-loving siscowet lake trout.

A few final debates echoed through the state Capitol Monday, as lawmakers haggled over tax increases and union organizing in a session that's already seen a big spike in spending on schools and a landmark law legalizing gay marriage.

Minnesota #####@ #? Atlanta ######@ #

A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods and destroying an elementary school with a direct blow as children and teachers huddled against winds up to 200 mph. At least 51 people were killed, and officials said the death toll was expected to rise.

A Minnesota teenager whose farewell song "Clouds" became an Internet sensation with nearly 3 million views on YouTube died Monday after battling a rare form of bone cancer, his family announced.

The Legislature has sent Gov. Mark Dayton a bill that lets anyone vote by absentee ballot without being forced to provide an excuse.

Billionaire Warren Buffett isn't just Berkshire Hathaway's chairman and CEO. He's also the chief salesman.

A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods with winds up to 200 mph, setting buildings on fire and landing a direct blow on an elementary school. At least 37 people were reported killed.

The tornadoes that have raked communities in Oklahoma, Texas and other states over the past week belie what has been an unusually slow start to the 2013 tornado season.

New research finds that Lake Superior's warming water probably already is affecting its most abundant big fish, the cold water-loving siscowet lake trout.

Authorities are investigating the discovery of a body in the trunk of a car towed from Brooklyn Park to a wrecker lot near downtown Minneapolis.

A Minnesota teenager whose song "Clouds" became an Internet sensation has died after battling a rare form of bone cancer.

A monstrous tornado as much as a mile wide with winds up to 200 mph roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods, setting buildings on fire and landing a direct blow on an elementary school.

Minnesota lawmakers are looking more likely to bump right up against the midnight deadline to adjourn the legislative session.

The Minnesota House has passed a bill that allows a union drive among home daycare providers and personal care attendants after about 10 hours of debate strung out over more than two days.