Political

Drive-by shooting investigation at home of Winona LaDuke

FILE: Winona Laduke running As Green Party Vice President DETROIT LAKES, Minn. (KVRR) —  An investigation is underway after the home of activist Winona LaDuke had several shots fired at it. The Becker County Sheriff’s Office responded to the drive-by shooting shortly after 6 last night. LaDuke says two teen grandsons and a nephew were home but no one was…

Lakewood Township hosts discussion on potential St. Louis County zoning transfer

LAKEWOOD TOWNSHIP, Minn. — Lakewood Township’s supervising board hosted a meeting in order to engage with residents about the potential zoning change that the board is considering. The singular item on the agenda for the evening’s meeting was the discussing of the possibility of transferring the town’s local zoning control over to St. Louis County, with many of the town’s…

Community Action Duluth employees claim hostile work environment, mismanagement and leadership failures

Community Action Duluth Logo DULUTH, Minn. – A news release from AFSCME-represented workers at Community Action Duluth (CAD) says they will hold a news conference to raise concerns about Community Action Duluth. They say there is a “growing crisis” within the organization. The news release claims, “hostile working conditions, financial mismanagement, a newly-filed Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) against management, and…

Trump administration takes major step toward dismantling the Education Department

FILE – Education Secretary Linda McMahon speaks during a meeting in the East Room of the White House, Sept. 4, 2025, in Washington. WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Education Department is handing off some of its biggest grant programs to other federal agencies as the Trump administration accelerates its plan to shut down the department. The changes announced Tuesday represent a…

Congress acts swiftly to force release of Epstein files, sending bill to Trump

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., speaks during a news conference on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington. WASHINGTON (AP) — Both the House and Senate acted decisively Tuesday to pass a bill to force the Justice Department to publicly release its files on the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a remarkable…

Trump drops tariffs on beef, coffee, tropical fruit as pressure builds on consumer prices

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday to get rid of tariffs on a broad swath of commodities, including beef, coffee and tropical fruits. It’s part of a response to pressure from consumers who complain prices are too high. The move comes after voters in off-year elections earlier this month cited economic concerns as their top…

Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert addresses ‘alarming’ increase with political violence

DULUTH, Minn.– The rise in political violence is as real as ever in the United States. In Minnesota just this year, two lawmakers and their spouses were shot multiple times at their homes.  House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her spouse were shot and killed.  Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were shot multiple times and survived. Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert…

Epstein emails released by Democrats say Trump ‘knew about the girls’ and spent time with a victim

WASHINGTON (AP) — Disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein wrote in a 2011 email that Donald Trump had “spent hours” at Epstein’s house with a victim of sex trafficking and said in a separate message years later that Trump “knew about the girls,” according to communications released Wednesday. The emails made public by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee add to the questions about Trump’s friendship with…

Minnesota governor candidate Kristin Robbins visits Northland

DULUTH, Minn. — Minnesota Representative Kristin Robbins visited the Northland for a second time as her campaign for governor continues. Robbins is one of a number of Republican candidates running for the seat currently occupied by Tim Walz, who is seeking his 3rd term as Governor. As the Chair of the Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee, Robbins…

MN House Speaker Lisa Demuth visits Duluth on Media Tour for Governor

DULUTH, Minn. — Minnesotan House Speaker Lisa Demuth visited Duluth for her run for Governor. Demuth and running mate Ryan Wilson went to four airports across Minnesota today. The key points Demuth brought up were providing better support for education, businesses and industries. She also emphasized her ability to work across the aisle and her desire to reduce animosity within…

Speaker Johnson says House will return to Washington for voting on shutdown deal

WASHINGTON (AP) — Speaker Mike Johnson said Monday that House lawmakers should start returning to Washington “right now” after a small group of Senate Democrats broke a 40-day stalemate late Sunday evening and voted with Republicans to move forward with legislation that would end the government shutdown. It is unclear when the Senate will hold final votes on the legislation….

Supreme Court rejects call to overturn its decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide

FILE – The Supreme Court in Washington, June 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a call to overturn its landmark decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. The justices, without comment, turned away an appeal from Kim Davis, the former Kentucky court clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples…

Senate reaches deal to open U.S. Government

Courtesy: Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Majority Leader John Thune said a bi-partisan agreement was reached Sunday evening to reopen the federal government after 40 days closed. The agreement would fund the government until the end of January. Sources told CNN the deal also will set a vote on government health care subsidies in December. Democrats have demanded the…

Nancy Pelosi won’t seek reelection, ending her storied career in the US House

FILE – House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., arrives to speak about the House coronavirus bill on Capitol Hill in Washington, March, 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Scott Applewhite, File) WASHINGTON (AP) — Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi will not seek reelection to the U.S. House, bringing to a close her storied career as not only the first woman in the speaker’s office but arguably the most…

Jacob Frey fends off democratic socialist’s challenge to win 3rd term as Minneapolis mayor

FILE – Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey speaks during a news conference in Minneapolis City Hall, Aug. 28, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr, File) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minneapolis Democratic Mayor Jacob Frey defeated democratic socialist Omar Fateh and 13 other challengers Wednesday during the final round of counting in the city’s ranked-choice voting election. Frey, who secured a third term,…

30 votes separate candidates for Deer River School School Board

Deer River Schools Logo DEER RIVER, Min. – 30 votes separated LuAnn Robinson and Richard Fieldsend in the special election for Deer River (ISD #317) School Board. LuAnn Robinson finished with 450 vote besting Richard Fieldsend’s 420 votes. There were 17 write-in votes. Categories: Education, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News, Political

Deer River Schools tax increases fail at ballot

Deer River Schools Logo ITASCA COUNTY, Min. – Voters in the Deer River School District (ISD #317) rejected two tax increases. Question #1 failed with a 63% to 37% margin. Question #1  asked, “The school board of Independent School District No. 317 (Deer River Schools) has proposed a capital project levy authorization of 3.945% times the net tax capacity of…

Tomanek leads voters in Duluth City Council At Large race; Johnson & Medved battled for the other seat

Terese Tomanek (Incumbent) DULUTH, Min. – Terese Tomanek cruised to re-election for one of the Duluth City Council At-Large seats up for election. Tomanek got 34% of the vote in the four person race for two open seats. Jordon Johnson and former Duluth City Councilor Derek Medved battled for the second open seat. Johnson won with 27.8% of the vote…

Right to Repair passes in Duluth

DULUTH, Min. – The “Right to Repair” ballot initiative passed with more than two thirds of yes votes. The measure asked, “Shall the petition ordinance 25-015-0 amending Chapter 29A of the Duluth City Code be passed to give tenants the right to make repairs in residential rental property, and withhold up to half of a month’s rent or $500, whichever…

Diane Desotelle wins her race for Duluth City Council

Diane Desotelle DULUTH, Min. – Diane Desotelle won the race for Duluth’s 2nd City Council District. She won with 80% of the vote compared to Chris Adatte’s 20%. The race was for the open seat after Mike Mayou resigned. Deborah DeLuca was appointed to fill Mayou’s term, but she said she would not run for the seat. Categories: Community, Minnesota,…

Zohran Mamdani wins NYC mayor’s race, capping a stunning ascent

Zohran Mamdani NEW YORK (AP) — Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor of New York City on Tuesday, capping a stunning ascent for the 34-year-old state lawmaker, who was set to become the city’s most liberal mayor in generations. In a victory for the Democratic party’s progressive wing, Mamdani defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. Mamdani must now navigate the unending demands of…

Littlefork-Big Falls School District special election decided by four votes

Littlefork-Big Falls School District Logo KOOCHICHING COUNTY, Min. – In the Special Election for School Board Member Littlefork-Big Falls School District (ISD #362) the race came down to just four votes. Chelsey Melander garnered 134 votes compared to Delane Klemetse’s 130 votes.   Categories: Community, Education, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News, Political

Election Day Coverage: Duluth’s Ballot

DULUTH, Minn. — November 4th is the 2025 Election Day. The polls have been open since seven and close at eight in the evening. Here’s a rundown of races in Duluth – There are two open seats for Duluth City Council at large: Terese Tomanek Derek Medved Asher Estrin-Haire Jordon Johnson. For Council District 2: Christopher Adatte Diane Desotelle. and…

Gone! Minnesota Millionaire Raffle sells out in record time

ROSEVILLE, Min & DULUTH, Min. –  Minnesota Lottery’s Millionaire Raffle Sells Out in Record 14 Days — Fastest in Game’s History. Last year’s raffle sold out in 15 days. Each $10 ticket offers a chance at two $1 million prizes and thousands of additional cash prizes. The Minnesota Millionaire Raffle winning numbers will be announced on January 1, 2026. RELATED:…

Trump administration says SNAP will be partially funded after judges’ rulings required food aid program to continue

Dairy products, which are covered by the USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), is displayed for sale at a grocery store Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. PROVIDENCE, R.I (AP) — President Donald Trump’s administration said Monday that it will partially fund SNAP after a pair of judges’ rulings required it to keep the food aid program running. It’s not clear…

Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth announces run for Governor

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Speaker of the House Lisa Demuth announced in a video online Sunday that she’s running for Governor of Minnesota. Demuth has become the biggest name in the republican primary, which also includes Rep. Kristin Robbins, former state senator Scott Jensen, and former MMA fighter Brad Kohler, among others. Another big name set to enter the race…

Judges order the Trump administration to use contingency funds for SNAP payments during the shutdown

BOSTON (AP) — Two federal judges ruled nearly simultaneously on Friday that President Donald Trump’s administration must continue to fund SNAP, the nation’s biggest food aid program, using contingency funds during the government shutdown. The judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island gave the administration leeway on whether to fund the program partially or in full for November. The rulings came…

Indictment filed for drug case tied to immigration raid in Hibbing

DULUTH, Min. – Arcadio Carrera Flores made is first appearance in Minnesota state court on October 31, 2025. He is facing charges of Felony 3rd Degree Sale of Narcotics and Gross Misdemeanor Possession of a Firearm by an Illegal Alien. It appears thought statements and timing, the investigation into Flores is tied to immigration raids in Northern Minnesota on October…

Minnesota Legislative Exchange Program Building Bipartisan Bridges

DULUTH, Minn. — A new Legislative exchange program has been pairing up legislators across the aisle to learn more about each other and the districts they serve. Most recently, Republican Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar hosted Democratic Rep. Ned Carroll. Rep. Ned Carroll (D) and Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar (R) The pair visited with local leaders, toured industries, and spent time getting to…

What we know about the Northern Minnesota immigration raids

Two people detained at El Charro Mexican Bar and Grill in Hibbing, Minnesota (10/29/2025) DULUTH, Min.- There were at least three likely immigration-related actions around Northern Minnesota on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. Here is what we know about them at this point. El Charro Mexican Bar and Grill, 2520 E Beltline, Hibbing: A FOX21 photographer happened to be getting lunch…

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers hosts healthcare roundtable discussion in Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers stopped by Superior on Wednesday to host a roundtable discussion. Governor Evers, alongside Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary Kirsten Johnson listened to community feedback about healthcare and the shutdown. The discussion focused on extending the Affordable Care Act premium tax credits to ensure healthcare is affordable and accessible in Wisconsin. The event…

SNAP Text scams showing up in Minnesota

COOK COUNTY, Min. – The Cook County Public Health department says there are SNAP text message scams going around. They say the Minnesota Department of Children Youth and Families has been alerted of the scam. This scam claims that all Minnesota residents qualify for emergency food relief. The text asks recipients to click a link to claim funds. Cook County…

Hegseth says US carried out 3 strikes on alleged drug-running boats in eastern Pacific, killing 14

Screengrab from Pete Hegseth’s X account of a boat explosion from 10/27/2025 WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the U.S. military carried out three strikes Monday in the waters of the Eastern Pacific against boats suspected of carrying drugs, killing 14 and leaving one survivor. The announcement made on social media Tuesday, marks a continued escalation in…

Wisconsin Planned Parenthood resumes offering abortions after a nearly monthlong pause

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, in Madison MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin resumed scheduling abortions on Monday after a nearly monthlong pause due to federal Medicaid funding cuts in President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill that took effect at the beginning of October. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin said it was able to resume scheduling abortions as of noon on Monday because…

Governor Walz to announce $4m in one-time funding for Minnesota food shelves

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz expresses frustration with President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans over the federal government shutdown during a news conference at the State Capitol in St. Paul, Minn., Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. DULUTH, Min. & ST. PAUL, Min. – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is expected to announce $4 million in emergency one-time funding for Minnesota and Tribal nations…

Trump administration posts notice that no federal food aid will go out Nov. 1

USDA Logo (AP) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has posted a notice on its website saying federal food aid will not go out Nov. 1, raising the stakes for families nationwide as the government shutdown drags on. The new notice comes after the Trump administration said it would not tap roughly $5 billion in contingency funds to keep benefits…

Former Rep. Angie Sapik Announces State Senate Run

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — Former Wisconsin Representative Angie Sapik announced her campaign for District 25 in the Wisconsin State Senate. Some of her platform includes funding public education and mental health, expanding insurance to cover 3-D mammograms, providing better protections for correction officers, and expanding oversight on the DNR. She also stated her beliefs as being prolife and being against boys…

Minnesota Supreme Court sends transgender powerlifter’s legal challenge back to lower court

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Supreme Court on Wednesday sent the case of a transgender athlete who wants to compete in the women’s division at weightlifting events back to a lower court to determine whether USA Powerlifting has a “legitimate business purpose” for excluding her. The state’s highest court ruled that the group’s policy that bars JayCee Cooper from competing…

Man charged with stalking, accused of sending Wisconsin’s chief justice intimidating emails

Jill Karofsky MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Prosecutors have charged a Wisconsin man with stalking after he allegedly sent liberal state Supreme Court Justice Jill Karofsky a series of intimidating emails. Ryan Thornton, 37, of Racine was charged Monday with one felony count of stalking. He faces up to 3 1/2 years in prison if convicted. His attorney, listed in court…

Minnesota Attorney General to run for re-election

Keith Ellison ST. PAUL, Minn. —  The Minnesota Attorney General has announced that he plans to run for re-election. Attorney General Keith Ellison announced Tuesday that he plans on running for a third term. “I’m running for re-election to keep Minnesota a fair place, where rule of law prevails over power and privilege,” said Ellison. “Since Minnesota elected me seven years…

Thousands Attend ‘No Kings’ Protests in Duluth, Cities Across Northland

NORTHLAND — Thousands of protesters gathered at rallies in the Northland Saturday for the “No Kings” demonstrations against what they see as the government turning into authoritarianism under President Donald Trump.   In Duluth, thousands filled the courtyard outside City Hall, the St. Louis County Courthouse and the Federal Building.  Click the video above to see an drone’s view.  Click the…

Trump says he has commuted sentence of former US Rep. George Santos in federal fraud case

George Santos WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Friday he had commuted the sentence of former U.S. Rep. George Santos, who is serving more than seven years in federal prison after pleading guilty to fraud and identity theft charges. The New York Republican was sentenced in April after admitting last year to deceiving donors and stealing the identities of…

New District Court Judge named for Duluth

Nathan Lacoursiere DULUTH, Min. – Governor Tim Walz has announced the appointment of Nathan LaCoursiere as District Court Judge in Minnesota’s Sixth Judicial District. LaCoursiere will replace the Honorable Eric L. Hylden and will be chambered in Duluth in St. Louis County. In making the announcement Gov. Walz said, “Nathan LaCoursiere will be a remarkable judge… What makes him so…

St. Louis Co. Board Chair Talks NDAs, Public Comments, Commissioner’s Words on Minneapolis’ FOX 9

St. Louis County Commissioner Chair Annie Harala responded to concerns Thursday over elected officials signing non-disclosure agreements regarding a proposed data center project in Hermantown. She also addressed a video that shows a confrontation between Commissioner Keith Nelson and the Duluth Monitor’s Publisher, John Ramos, who pressed the commissioner on the topic during Tuesday’s board meeting. Click the video above…

St. Louis Co. Board Chair Annie Harala Talks Process Of Non-Disclosure Agreements

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Louis County Board Chair Annie Harala was one of three commissioners to sign a non-disclosure agreement involving a proposed data center in Hermantown.  Some members of the public have voiced frustration over what they call a lack of transparency involving the proposed project.  Commissioner Ashley Grimm responded to those concerns by calling for a ban on…