Here is the latest Minnesota news from The Associated Press

ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) An Austin police officer took the stand yesterday to defend himself against charges that he stole prescription drugs from the department's evidence room. Curt Rude acknowledged taking the OxyContin, but says he did it as part of his own investigation into a friend's overdose death.

Information from: KAAL-TV, http://www.kaaltv.com DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Republican Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he welcomes his party's success in winning key governor races in New Jersey and Virginia. But he cautions that the GOP must improve its standing after big election losses in 2006 and 2008.

The governor spoke on a conference call with reporters yesterday before a weekend appearance in Des Moines.

Washington (AP) Randy Babbitt, administrator for the Federal Aviation Administration, says aviation is facing an "extreme need to refocus on professionalism." He says the Northwest Airlines pilots who overshot Minneapolis by 150 miles because they were working on their laptops are part of a larger professionalism problem among commercial pilots.

LAKEVILLE, Minn. (AP) Lakeville city officials are investigating two false starts of outdoor sirens designed to warn of approaching storms. The latest happened yesterday morning, and another on Oct. 30. Police Chief Tom Vonhof says the initial investigation suggests the false starts may be caused by an unknown radio signal.

Information from: WCCO-AM, http://www.wccoradio.com (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-05-09 0130CST | save this article / add to your favorites list