Political Archives - Fox21Online

Virtual Medical Appointments Spike Amid Pandemic

Both St. Luke's Hospital and Essentia Health offer this type of virtual service.s

April 1, 2020

Nachai Taylor,

DULUTH, Minn – Virtual medical appointments are now on the rise as more healthcare facilities are encouraging patients to use the new type of service. St. Luke’s telehealth offers patients a virtual exam room experience. Patients can have a video conference with their doctor to talk about their medical issues. Typical telehealth appointments can be used for annual wellness or…

Walz to Deliver Video State of the State Speech Sunday

April 1, 2020

The Associated Press,

(Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via AP) ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz has announced that he’ll deliver his postponed State of the State address on Sunday evening at 7 p.m., and he says he’s looking forward to speaking directly to Minnesotans during this uncertain time. The governor said Wednesday that he’ll deliver the speech alone with a remote camera…

Live: Coronavirus Task Force Holds Briefing

April 1, 2020

Site Staff,

Live: Coronavirus Task Force Briefing Posted by Fox 21 News on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 Categories: News, News – Latest News, Political, US & World News

Some Minnesota Families Won’t Get $500 Stimulus Checks for Children

March 31, 2020

Site Staff,

(FOX 9) – Minnesota families will not get $500 stimulus checks for dependent children over the age of 16, something that U.S. Rep. Angie Craig says is “a real problem” that Congress needs to address. Last week’s $2.2 trillion coronavirus package will deliver $1,200 to most adults and $500 per child under the age of 17. But, it excludes older dependent children, including college students, from…

House Passes $2.2T Rescue Package, Rushes it to Trump

March 27, 2020

The Associated Press,

(House Television via AP) WASHINGTON (AP) – The House has approved a $2.2 trillion rescue package, rushing it to President Donald Trump for his signature. The measure tosses a life preserver to a U.S. economy and health care system left flailing by the coronavirus pandemic. The House approved the sweeping measure by a voice vote, as strong majorities of both…

Minnesota House Passes $330 Million COVID-19 Aid Bill

March 26, 2020

The Associated Press,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Legislature was poised Thursday to pass a $330 million financial aid package to help soften the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic that has sickened more than 300 people and claimed two lives in the state. The Minnesota Department of Health said Thursday that the state’s second COVID-19 death was a patient from Ramsey County…

Evers Administration Closes State Capitol

March 26, 2020

The Associated Press,

MILWAUKEE (AP) – Gov. Tony Evers has decided to close the state Capitol building in Madison as the coronavirus crisis deepens in Wisconsin. The Department of Administration closed the building at 8 a.m. Thursday morning. The building will remain closed indefinitely, although DOA officials said they would reopen it if the state Legislature or the state Supreme Court decides to…

Senate Unanimously Passes Massive Coronavirus Aid Plan

March 26, 2020

The Associated Press,

(Senate Television via AP) WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate passed an unparalleled $2.2 trillion economic rescue package steering aid to businesses, workers and health care systems engulfed by the coronavirus pandemic. The unanimous vote Wednesday came despite misgivings on both sides about whether it goes too far or not far enough and capped days of difficult negotiations as Washington confronted…

Minnesota Lawmakers Will Reconvene to Bolster COVID-19 Fight

March 25, 2020

The Associated Press,

(AP Photo/Steve Karnowski) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota lawmakers are preparing to return to the Capitol to beef up the state’s fight against COVID-19 and help residents cope with the economic disruptions. House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka notified legislators late Tuesday they will reconvene Thursday. The House meets at noon while the Senate gathers at 2…

White House, Congress Agree on $2 Trillion Virus Rescue Bill

March 25, 2020

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House and Senate leaders of both parties announced an agreement early Wednesday on an unprecedented $2 trillion emergency bill to rush sweeping aid to businesses, workers and a health care system slammed by the coronavirus pandemic. Top White House aide Eric Ueland announced the agreement in a Capitol hallway shortly after midnight early Wednesday, capping…

President Trump Says He Intends to Reopen Country in Weeks, Not Months

March 23, 2020

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Monday that he wants to reopen the country for business in weeks, not months, and he claimed, without evidence, that continued closures could result in more deaths than the coronavirus pandemic. “We can’t have the cure be worse than the problem,” Trump told reporters at a press briefing, echoing a midnight Sunday tweet….

Sen. Rand Paul Kept Working for Six Days after Virus Test

March 23, 2020

The Associated Press,

(AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) WASHINGTON (AP) — Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul was tested a week ago for the novel coronavirus, but continued working at the Capitol because he “felt that it was highly unlikely” he was sick since he had no symptoms of the illness, he said Monday. Paul also said he did not have direct contact with anyone…

Klobuchar’s Husband Tests Positive for Virus

March 23, 2020

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON — Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar says husband John Bessler has tested positive for the coronavirus. The former presidential candidate said Bessler began feeling sick when she was in Minnesota and he was in Washington. She said he immediately quarantined himself. She said he sought a test and chest X-ray after he began coughing up blood, and was checked into…

Income Tax Filing Deadline Moved to July 15 From April 15

March 20, 2020

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) – Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says the Trump administration has decided to push the income tax filing date to July 15 from April 15. Mnuchin announced the decision in a tweet Friday saying that at President Donald Trump’s direction “we are moving Tax Day from April 15 to July 15. All taxpayers and businesses will have this additional…

Mnuchin: White House Will Send Checks to Most Americans Within Three Weeks

March 19, 2020

Site Staff, The Associated Press,

(AP/Fox 9) – Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Thursday the White House is working to send $1,000 checks to most adult Americans within three weeks to offset the coronavirus pandemic, which has forced life in the U.S. to come to a grinding halt. “We’re going to get out of this quickly,” Mnuchin told FOX Business’, Maria Bartiromo. The cash…

First Case of Coronavirus Confirmed in Minnesota House of Representatives

March 18, 2020

Site Staff,

(AP Photo/Steve Karnowski) ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – The first case of the COVID-19 coronavirus has been confirmed at the Minnesota House of Representatives, officials say. Right now, it’s not clear if the case is among a lawmaker or a staffer and officials say, due to privacy laws, they won’t release further information about the individual. “It is possible that…

Emergency Steps Eyed to Help Wisconsin Deal With Outbreak

March 18, 2020

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Tony Evers was expected to issue an executive order Wednesday to speed up unemployment benefits for workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as he meets with legislative leaders to discuss a more far-reaching emergency plan to help all of those struggling due to the outbreak. The coronavirus pandemic has shuttered schools, colleges, universities, bars, restaurants…

US Tells Older People to Stay Home, all Ages to Avoid Crowds

March 16, 2020

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) – The White House on Monday urged all older Americans to stay home and everyone to avoid crowds and eating out at restaurants as part of sweeping guidelines meant to combat an expected surge of coronavirus cases. President Donald Trump and the coronavirus task force released the guidelines as the U.S. government moved to try to blunt the…

Live at 2:00 p.m.: Trump Preparing to Invoke Emergency Powers Over Coronavirus

March 13, 2020

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump is preparing to invoke emergency powers as the country struggles to contain the coronavirus outbreak. This is according to two people familiar with the planning who spoke on condition of anonymity. It is still unclear precisely what mechanism Trump would use to free up additional federal resources for testing and treatment as well as…

AFSCME to City of Duluth: ‘Respect Public Workers,’ Restore 2 Maintenance Positions

March 12, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. — The city of Duluth’s largest union – AFSCME Council 5 — is calling on Mayor Emily Larson’s administration to reverse its decision to cut two maintenance worker positions. And the union is asking for residents of Duluth for support because it says the city is not respecting public workers and access to critical services that the community…

Walz Proposes Banking Most of Surplus Over COVID-19 Fears

March 12, 2020

The Associated Press,

(Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via AP) ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Gov. Tim Walz has proposed banking $1.2 billion of Minnesota’s projected $1.5 billion budget surplus because of the uncertainties over how the new coronavirus will affect the economy. The Democratic governor’s supplemental budget would add only $256 million in new spending on programs to the budget the Legislature approved last…

Trump Campaign Cancels Wisconsin Event Next Week

March 12, 2020

The Associated Press,

MILWAUKEE (AP) – President Donald Trump’s campaign has canceled an event in Wisconsin next week because of the coronavirus. The “Catholics for Trump” event was scheduled on March 19 in Milwaukee. Reelection campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh tweeted the cancellation was made “out of an abundance of caution because of the coronavirus outbreak.” Murtaugh said the event will be rescheduled. After…

US Capitol Closing to Public Until April Amid Virus Outbreak

March 12, 2020

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) – Congress is shutting the Capitol and all House and Senate office buildings to the public until April in reaction to the spread of the coronavirus. The House and Senate sergeants at arms said in a statement that the closure will begin at 5 p.m. EDT Thursday. Lawmakers, aides, journalists, and official visitors will be allowed into the…

Minnesota Senate GOP Unveils Gun Violence Prevention Bills

March 11, 2020

Site Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota Senate Republicans have moved to try to change the direction of the contentious gun control debate in this election year. They unveiled a slate of bills Tuesday to address the problem of gun violence, mostly by increasing penalties for crimes involving firearms. Members of the Senate GOP majority say their bills can actually pass…

2 City Maintenance Worker Positions Cut; Duluth CAO Provides Perspective

March 9, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – We’re learning more about two recent cuts to positions within the city of Duluth. Mayor Emily Larson’s office said Monday the positions were maintenance workers for the fleet and parks divisions. The two employees were making $47,096 a year. Both were offered new jobs within the city at similar salaries — one as a janitor and the…

Pence Pledges to ‘Lean Into’ Fight Against Coronavirus

March 5, 2020

The Associated Press,

MAPLEWOOD, Minn. (AP) – Vice President Mike Pence is pledging that federal officials will “lean into” the fight against the new coronavirus. The vice president commented from Minnesota, where he visited with a leading maker of masks being used to stem the spread of the virus. He spoke after meeting with 3M CEO Mike Roman and Minnesota Gov. Tom Walz…

Warren Ends 2020 Presidential Bid After Super Tuesday Rout

March 5, 2020

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) – Elizabeth Warren has ended her Democratic presidential bid after a disappointing finish in Super Tuesday states. That’s according to a person familiar with her plans. The Massachusetts senator’s campaign had the markers of success: robust poll numbers, impressive fundraising, a national organization. But she was squeezed out by Bernie Sanders, who had an immovable base of voters…

Bloomberg Drops Out of Presidential Race, Endorses Biden

March 4, 2020

The Associated Press,

NEW YORK (AP) – Billionaire Mike Bloomberg has ended his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination and has endorsed Joe Biden. It was a stunning collapse for the former New York City mayor, who had pinned his 2020 hopes on the Super Tuesday states and drained more than $500 million from his own fortune into his ultimately unsuccessful campaign. Bloomberg…

Presidential Primary Election Results

March 4, 2020

Site Staff,

Categories: Minnesota, News, News – Latest News, Political

Bernie Sanders Super Tuesday Watch Party Held in Duluth

Supporters gathered to cheer Bernie on in Primary.

March 3, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- Carmody’s Irish Pub was packed with Bernie Sanders supporters from across the Northland anxious to see their candidate win Super Tuesday. Sanders and Joe Biden were neck and neck for most of the night, but in the end Biden was declared the projected winner for Minnesota. The Twin Ports Democratic Socialists of America have been meeting at the…

Biden wins Minnesota, surges in South; Sanders wins Colorado

March 3, 2020

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — Joe Biden scored key Super Tuesday victories in Minnesota and across the South, building on momentum that has swiftly revived his Democratic presidential campaign in recent days. Bernie Sanders countered with wins in his home state of Vermont and in Colorado, as the race began to shift west, where some polls were starting to close. Biden took…

Klobuchar Exit Boosts Sanders for Minnesota’s Super Tuesday

March 3, 2020

The Associated Press,

(AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King) ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – The abrupt withdrawal of Amy Klobuchar from the presidential race gives front-runner Bernie Sanders a sudden opportunity for locking up her home state on Super Tuesday. Sanders, who easily won Minnesota’s caucuses in 2016, has a large and motivated progressive base in the state. He also had a fortuitously timed last-minute rally…

Amy Klobuchar Ends Presidential Bid, Now Endorsing Biden

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar Will Now Endorse Former Vice President Joe Biden

March 2, 2020

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) – Amy Klobuchar is ending her Democratic presidential campaign and is set to endorse Joe Biden. The Minnesota senator announced the decision Monday, calling it quits after a bid that broke briefly into the top tier with a third-place finish in New Hampshire but failed to sustain that energy further into the Democratic nomination fight. The three-term senator…

Klobuchar Cancels Minnesota Rally

March 2, 2020

The Associated Press,

ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar has canceled a rally in her home state after protesters took over the stage shouting for her to drop out of the presidential race. Klobuchar was scheduled to speak Sunday at St. Louis Park High School ahead of Tuesday’s primary. But dozens of protesters took the stage chanting “black lives…

House Approves Bill to Ban the Sale of Flavored E-Cigarettes

February 28, 2020

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) – The House has approved a bill to ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettes and other flavored tobacco products. Lawmakers say the bill will stem a vaping epidemic among young people. The bill would place new restrictions on the marketing of e-cigarettes and ban flavors in tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes. It also would place a new excise…

Trump to Detail US Coronavirus Efforts, Schumer Seeks $8.5B

February 26, 2020

The Associated Press,

(NOTE: News conference to be streamed on Fox 21’s Facebook page.) WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump is pushing back against criticism that his administration isn’t doing enough to meet the coronavirus threat. Trump plans to hold a news conference late Wednesday to talk about what the U.S. is doing to prepare for the virus. On Capitol Hill, lawmakers are…

Wisconsin Legislature Sends $250 Million Tax Cut to Governor

February 21, 2020

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin’s Republican-controlled Legislature has sent a $250 million income tax cut to Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who appears likely to veto it. Both the Senate and Assembly voted to pass the tax cut Thursday on mostly party-line votes. Evers has not said whether he will sign the measure. Republicans introduced it after new estimates projected the…

Longtime Duluth City Attorney Suspended; No Comment From Mayor Larson’s Office

February 19, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Longtime Duluth City Attorney Gunnar Johnson confirmed to FOX 21 Wednesday that he’s been placed on administrative suspension. Johnson said he was “shocked” to learn about his suspension last Wednesday and never saw anything of this magnitude coming from Mayor Emily Larson and her administration. Johnson said it’s his understanding a Twin Cities law firm has been…

Mayor Larson to hold State of the City Address at West Theater

February 18, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. — Mayor Emily Larson announced Tuesday that she’ll be holding her State of the City Address March 30 at the West Theater in West Duluth. This will be Larson’s fifth address. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The program starts at 6 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. More details will be released as the…

Wisconsin Spring Primary Election Results

February 18, 2020

Site Staff,

Below are the up to date results to the key races in Tuesday’s Wisconsin Spring Primary Election **98% of Precincts Reporting** Representatives in Congress District 7 (Democrat) – One Advances Tricia Zunker – 35,562 votes | 89% Lawrence Dale – 4,473 votes | 11% Representatives in Congress District 7 (Republican) – One Advances Tom Tiffany – 43,766 votes | 58%…

President Trump goes on Clemency Spree, and the List is Long

February 18, 2020

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has gone on a clemency blitz, commuting what he called a “ridiculous” 14-year prison sentence for former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and pardoning former New York Police Department commissioner Bernie Kerik, among a long list of others. Others who got a break from Trump include financier Michael Milken, who served two years in prison…

Polls Open for Wisconsin Spring Primary Election

February 18, 2020

Site Staff,

1/13 (District 7 – Lawrence Dale (D)) Show Caption Hide Caption 2/13 (District 7 – Tricia Zunker (D)) Show Caption Hide Caption 3/13 (District 7 – Jason Church (R)) Show Caption Hide Caption 4/13 (District 7 – Tom Tiffany (R)) Show Caption Hide Caption 5/13 (State Supreme Court – Dan Kelly (I)) Show Caption Hide Caption 6/13 (State Supreme Court…

Mike Bloomberg Opens Campaign Field Office in Duluth

Duluth office one of five in Minnesota.

February 9, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- A Democratic Presidential candidate set up a remote office in Duluth. Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s campaign held a grand opening on Sunday. The office opened up on First Street Downtown, in the Duluth Athletic Club building. It’s one of five field offices in Minnesota for Bloomberg to boost his presence across the Super Tuesday state. According…

Klobuchar Pushes to Keep Defying Expectations in Campaign

February 9, 2020

Dan Hanger,

MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) – Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar says she’s plans to keep defying expectations heading into Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary. Though she’s spent the last year behind the front-runners, Klobuchar has enjoyed a burst of momentum in the last few days thanks to a strong debate performance and infusion of cash. At a rally at Southern New Hampshire University…

Meeting on Refugee Resettlement Turns Contentious

Both sides of the refugee issue clashed outside of meeting.

February 6, 2020

Arman Rahman,

CLOQUET, Minn.- A presentation on refugee resettlement at the Fond Du Lac Tribal and Community College sparked a bit of controversy Thursday. The presentation focused on explaining “all the facts” about refugee resettlement, while some people in attendance said what they’re doing is wrong. The meeting at the college Thursday was not a part of any established group, but was…

DNC Calls for a ‘Recanvass’ of Iowa Results After Delays

February 6, 2020

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) – The chairman of the Democratic National Committee is calling for a “recanvass” of the results of Monday’s Iowa caucus. Technical problems and delays have marred the first contest on the 2020 election calendar. The current results show Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders nearly tied with almost all the votes counted. But the race remained too early to…

LIVE: President Donald Trump Makes Remarks on his Impeachment Trial Acquittal

February 6, 2020

Site Staff,

Categories: News, News – Latest News, Political, US & World News

Buttigieg, Sanders Nearly Tied as Iowa Caucus Results Narrow

The Race Remained Too Early to Call Thursday Morning

February 6, 2020

The Associated Press,

(https://results.thecaucuses.org/) WASHINGTON (AP) – New results from the Iowa Democratic caucuses show Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders nearly tied with almost all the votes counted. But the race remained too early to call early Thursday with 97% of precincts reporting. Party officials were scrambling to verify the remaining results three days after Iowans gathered at caucus sites across the state…

Trump Impeachment Acquittal on Track Ahead of Senate Vote

A Vote is Expected Wesneday Afternoon

February 5, 2020

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump is on the verge of acquittal by the Senate. An afternoon vote will bring an end to only the third presidential impeachment trial in American history. One key Democrat, Alabama Sen. Doug Jones has now announced he will vote to convict. The impeachment vote comes at the start of a tumultuous campaign for the…

Duluth Mayor Emily Larson Attends State of the Union with Sen. Tina Smith

Larson calls it an opportunity to discuss Duluth issues with national officials

February 4, 2020

Andrew Kirov,

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Duluth Mayor Emily Larson attended the 2020 State of the Union as the guest of U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (DFL-Minnesota). Larson told us before the President’s speech she thinks this is a great opportunity for her to talk with national officials about issues that are important to Duluth. “We’re talking about the St. Louis River corridor, we’re…