Loon design selected for new Minnesota state seal

• They could still alter some aspects, including text, dates and the loon's eye color.

Catch up fast: The state Legislature created the commission last session and tasked it with picking a new flag and seal by the end of the year.

• Members of the public submitted thousands of ideas for consideration.

The intrigue: Commissioners reported receiving more than 6,000 public comments on the seal designs and more than 15,000 public comments on their top six picks for the new state flag, per the Star Tribune.

What's next: The panel meets again on Dec. 12 to continue to work toward selecting a new design for the flag.

• Members face a Jan. 1 deadline for making a final pick. Unless the Legislature vetoes the choices, the flag and seal will be debut next spring.

Go deeper: MPR News interviewed Ross Bruggink, the graphic designer who submitted the leading seal, about his process. Read or listen.