Ap

 Adrian Peterson already holds many Vikings' records. He is first in rushing attempts (1754), yards rushing (8,849), rushing TDs (76), 1,000 yard seasons (5), yards per game rushing (99.4), to mention just a few. The awesomeness of these records is: one, that he has accomplished it all in six years; and two, the decisiveness with which he is shattering previous records. Presently, Bill Brown and Chuck Foreman are second in TDs, only 24 behind. Robert Smith is second in rushing yards, though he trails by 2,031 yards despite playing two more seasons. The next closest yards per game rusher? Smith again, at 69.6 yards, about 30 yards short of AP. After we witnessed Peterson's Herculean efforts last Sunday in the dramatic 37-34 win over the Packers, most Minnesotans are certain that number twenty-eight is this year's NFL MVP. Sure, Peyton Manning has done amazing things in Denver this year. He has kept pace or surpassed Tom Brady and/or Aaron Rodgers. He is alongside Drew Brees. And … [Read more...] about Villaume: Where does AP rank among the greats?

A new report out this week by the College Board shows that number of Minnesota students taking Advanced Placement (AP) courses has almost doubled over the past decade. Minnesota students apparently like to be challenged. "Our students are not only challenging themselves and proving that they are ready for college and career, they are also earning a college credit which means substantial cost savings as they make the transition to postsecondary education," said Minnesota Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius. In 2013, Minnesota students earned 126, 093 college credits by taking AP exams. With an average rate of $348.93 per credit hour, the department estimates students and their families have saved nearly $44 million. It's also worth noting that Minnesota students aren't just taking the AP test. They're passing it, too. A decade ago, 5,882 students passed the exam. Last year, 11,497 received a passing score, according to the College Board report. The report also shows that while the … [Read more...] about More Minnesota students taking — and passing — Advanced Placement (AP) courses

Public records freaks like myself think of the end of each week as "FOIA Friday," the day we bombard government agencies with requests to hand over their records. I have been waiting since April 14 for a list of troubled housing authorities from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The HUD web site indicates that on May 12 it was "assigned for processing." I received a letter on April 30, with my correct name and address, but with the heading, "Dear Ms. Donaldson." The letter indicated that within 20 working days of the request, the Department would make a determination. I'm still waiting for that, or maybe Ms. Donaldson is. A report obtained by the Associated Press through a FOIA request described a disturbing hole in nuclear weapon safety: In a training exercise that simulated the takeover of a nuclear missile silo by terrorists, an Air Force team failed to recapture the site. The exercise took place last summer at Malmstrom Air Force Base, which is near … [Read more...] about FOIA Friday: AP report finds disturbing security failure at missile silo