News – Latest News

Forest Service to Relaunch Balky BWCA Permit System March 4

Those who Reserved Permits Earlier Will Have to Reapply

DULUTH, Minn. – The U.S. Forest Service plans to relaunch a balky new Boundary Waters Canoe Area reservation system on March 4. The system crashed when it first went live Jan. 30 on the first day to apply for permits. Only a few people were able to reserve permits before the system failed. The Forest Service says the technical issues…

UPDATE: Duluth Firefighters Respond to Kitchi Gammi Club

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth firefighters responded to the historic Kitchi Gammi Club in Duluth Thursday night. According to authorities there was a small chimney fire in the building located on 831 East Superior Street. Officials say there was no damage from the fire and no injuries were reported. Categories: News, News – Latest News

Minnesota House Votes to Eliminate ‘Marital Rape Exception’

The Vote was 130-0

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota House has voted to eliminate a defense that prevents people who rape a spouse or domestic partner from being prosecuted for criminal sexual conduct. Rep. Zack Stephenson, the bill’s lead author, told lawmakers before the 130-0 vote Thursday that repealing the “marital rape exception” will result in seven additional convictions per year. The Coon…

Kaul Wants $2m for Salaries, 19 More Analysts

Kaul's Budget Request was Obtained Thursday

MADISON, Wis. – Attorney General Josh Kaul has asked Gov. Tony Evers to let him spend $4.4 million in the next state budget to hire more evidence analysts and set up pay raises for them. The Associated Press obtained Kaul’s budget request Thursday through an open records request. Kaul wants to spend $1.8 million to hire 15 additional lab workers,…

Snowfall in the Upper Midwest This Week Setting Records

Some Areas saw a Foot of Snow

MINNEAPOLIS – Upper Midwest snowfall is setting records. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports the nearly 9 inches of snow Wednesday in the Twin Cities shattered the snowfall record for February, at 31.5 inches. The previous record was 26.5 inches in 1962. Other parts of Minnesota got as much as a foot of snow, and St. Cloud also set a record…

Study: Wisconsin most reliant on property taxes in Midwest

Wisconsin is Ranked Seventh in the Country

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin’s municipalities rely on property taxes far more than most states, according to a new report. The state’s municipalities received about 42 percent of their revenue from property taxes, Wisconsin Policy Forum said in a study released Thursday. The national average totals around 23 percent, according to the nonpartisan research group. The study ranks Wisconsin seventh…

Report: University of Minnesota Should Rename 4 Buildings

A Report was Released Wednesday

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A task force is recommending that the names of former administrators who promoted racist and anti-Semitic policies be removed from four University of Minnesota buildings. The group appointed by university President Eric Kaler released a report Wednesday that suggests scrubbing the school’s student union building of its namesake Lotus Coffman, a former president who was behind efforts…

Wisconsin GOP Propose $3.7 Million to Combat Homelessness

Republicans Unveiled Their Plans Thursday

MADISON, Wis. – Assembly Republicans are proposing $3.7 million to combat homelessness in Wisconsin. Republicans unveiled their plans Thursday. Some Democrats complained that they weren’t contacted to work with Republicans on the measures. Republicans hold majorities in the state Senate and Assembly. Bills fighting homelessness passed last session with bipartisan support. The new GOP bills include spending $500,000 on a…

Another Candidate Joins Race for St. Louis County Board

Musolf Joins Candidates Boucher and MacDonald

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Longtime District 5 resident Keith Musolf has officially entered the race for the St. Louis County Board District 5 special election. Musolf has lived in the district for over 20 years and is a proud union member and activist with the Ironworkers Local 512. Keith said in a statement, “I’m excited to be a strong voice and…

Minnesota Lawmaker Seeks Crackdown on Fake Hate Crime Claims

Zerqas Says False Reports Waste Police Resources

ST. PAUL, Minn. — A Minnesota lawmaker wants tougher penalties for falsely reporting hate crimes in his state after an actor in Chicago was accused of doing so. Rep. Nick Zerwas’ bill comes after actor Jussie Smollett was charged with falsely telling authorities he was attacked by men who hurled racist and anti-gay slurs and looped a rope around his…

Minnesota State Patrol Reports 74 Crashes Wednesday Morning

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota State Patrol tweeted Wednesday morning there had already been 74 crashes statewide between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Officials noted there were 6 injuries but none that were reported serious or fatal. Additionally, there has been 218 reported vehicle spin outs and 1 jackknifed semi. The Minnesota State Patrol is reminding motorists to slow…

Winter Storm Advances; Schools and Airport Runways Closing due to Snow

MINNEAPOLIS – Forecasters are warning residents in parts of Minnesota and western Wisconsin the advancing winter storm could produce up to 9 inches of snow. Minneapolis and St. Paul schools are among scores of districts that canceled classes Wednesday. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for much of central and southern Minnesota, through eastern South Dakota and…