Political Archives - Page 15 of 62

Jan. 6 Panel Pushes Trump’s Prosecution In Forceful Finish

December 19, 2022

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Jan. 6 committee is wrapping up its investigation of the violent 2021 U.S. Capitol insurrection, with lawmakers expected to cap one of the most exhaustive and aggressive congressional probes in memory with an extraordinary recommendation: The Justice Department should consider criminal charges against former President Donald Trump. At a final meeting on Monday, the panel’s seven Democrats and two Republicans…

City Of Duluth Posts Plowing Update On Social Media Amid Complaints From Residents

Council President Arik Forsman asked for feedback from his followers on Facebook Friday.

December 16, 2022

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Snow removal continued for the city of Duluth Friday, four days after the two-part storm hit. There have been complaints about missed streets, delayed plowing and high snowbanks. A spokesperson for the city told FOX 21 Friday that no one was available for an on-camera interview to talk about the city’s clean-up efforts. But the city did…

Duluth Mayor Emily Larson Launches Re-Election Campaign

December 13, 2022

Alexandra Burnley,

DULUTH, Minn. — Mayor Emily Larson launched her campaign for re-election Tuesday morning with the slogan “Building A Better Duluth.” She made the announcement on the Lake Walk in Canal Park. Larson talked about her time as mayor for the past seven years, and the affects the pandemic and George Floyd’s murder had on the community. She said some of…

Power Companies Prepared for Blizzard

December 13, 2022

Pat Brink,

DULUTH, Minn. – SUPERIOR, Wisc. – For the past week we’ve known that this storm is coming. The storm is bringing a lot of snow and wind and these are two things that power companies regularly prepare for. Minnesota Power and Superior Water, Light and Power are no different, they have plans in place to deal with this type of…

Biden Signs Gay Marriage Bill At White House Ceremony

December 13, 2022

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden signed gay marriage legislation into law Tuesday before a crowd of thousands, a ceremony that reflected growing acceptance of same-sex unions. “This law and the love it defends strike a blow against hate in all its forms,” Biden said on the South Lawn of the White House. “And that’s why this law matters to every single…

Fusion Breakthrough Could Be Climate, Energy Game-Changer

December 13, 2022

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm announced a “major scientific breakthrough” Tuesday in the decades-long quest to harness fusion, the energy that powers the sun and stars. Researchers at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California for the first time produced more energy in a fusion reaction than was used to ignite it, something called net energy gain, the Energy Department…

Mayor Emily Larson To Launch Re-Election Campaign On Tuesday

December 12, 2022

Alexandra Burnley,

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Mayor Emily Larson will launch her campaign for re-election on Tuesday, according to a press release sent out by her campaign manager. The event will take place at 500 Canal Park Drive at 11:30 a.m. According to the press release, “Mayor Larson will outline her work of the past 7 years and campaign commitments for this…

2nd Oath Keepers Jan. 6 Sedition Trial To Get Underway

December 12, 2022

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — After securing seditious conspiracy convictions against two leaders of the Oath Keepers, the Justice Department will begin Monday to try to make its Capitol riot case against four others affiliated with the far-right extremist group. Openings statements are expected in Washington’s federal court less than two weeks after Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the Oath Keepers, and Kelly Meggs,…

Brittney Griner Back Home In US After Russian Prisoner Swap

December 9, 2022

The Associated Press,

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Brittney Griner returned to the United States early Friday, nearly 10 months after the basketball star’s detention in Russia made her the most high-profile American jailed abroad and set off a political firestorm. Griner’s status as an openly gay Black woman, her prominence in women’s basketball and her imprisonment in a country where authorities have been hostile to…

Bill Protecting Same-Sex, Interracial Unions Clears Congress

December 8, 2022

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House gave final approval Thursday to legislation protecting same-sex marriages, a monumental step in a decades-long battle for nationwide recognition of those unions that reflects a stark turnaround in societal attitudes. President Joe Biden is expected to promptly sign the measure, which requires all states to recognize same-sex marriages. It is a relief for hundreds of…

Unofficial Recount Results Complete For MN Dist. 3A, 3B

December 7, 2022

KQDS Staff,

DULUTH, Minn. — Ballot recounts for northern Minnesota’s House districts 3A and 3B are complete, with unofficial results remaining the same — give or take a vote or two, according to David Zoll, attorney for the DFL party. The official results will need to be signed off by the State Canvassing Board later this month. Zoll told FOX 21 Wednesday…

Justices Skeptical Of Elections Case That Could Alter Voting

December 7, 2022

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Wednesday seemed skeptical of making a broad ruling that would leave state legislatures virtually unchecked in making rules for congressional and presidential elections. In nearly three hours of arguments, liberal and conservative justices appeared to take issue with the main thrust of a challenge asking them to essentially eliminate the power of state courts to strike…

US To Boost Natural Gas Exports To UK In Energy Partnership

December 7, 2022

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States will increase exports of liquefied natural gas to Britain under a new agreement calling for the two countries to work together to boost energy security and drive down prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the agreement Wednesday as part of a larger effort to reduce…

Democratic Sen. Warnock Wins Georgia Runoff Against Walker

December 6, 2022

The Associated Press,

ATLANTA (AP) — Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock defeated Republican challenger Herschel Walker in a Georgia runoff election Tuesday, ensuring Democrats an outright majority in the Senate for the rest of President Joe Biden’s term and helping cap an underwhelming midterm cycle for the GOP in the last major vote of the year. With Warnock’s second runoff victory in as many years, Democrats…

District 3A and 3B Recounts Continue

December 6, 2022

Pat Brink,

DULUTH, Minn. — Day two is over in the recount for two northern Minnesota legislative districts. Districts 3A and 3B are the two being recounted. The recount started Monday and continued Tuesday at the St. Louis County Courthouse in Duluth. The recount is also going on in other counties in the two districts. The difference in vote totals between the…

Jan. 6 Committee To Issue Criminal Referrals, Chairman Says

December 6, 2022

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol will make criminal referrals to the Justice Department as it wraps up its probe and looks to publish a final report by the end of the year, the panel’s chairman said Tuesday. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., told reporters that the committee has decided to issue the referrals…

Trump Organization Convicted In Executive Tax Dodge Scheme

December 6, 2022

The Associated Press,

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump’s company was convicted of tax fraud on Tuesday in a case brought by the Manhattan District Attorney, a significant repudiation of financial practices at the former president’s business. A jury found two corporate entities at the Trump Organization guilty on all 17 counts, including conspiracy charges and falsifying business records. The verdict came on…

Biden’s Efforts To Protect Abortion Access Hit Roadblocks

December 6, 2022

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is still actively searching for ways to safeguard abortion access for millions of women, even as it bumps up against a complex web of strict new state laws enacted in the months after the Supreme Court stripped the constitutional right. Looking to seize on momentum following a midterm election where voters widely rebuked tougher abortion restrictions, there’s a renewed push…

Recounts for Two Legislative Districts in the Northland Begin

December 5, 2022

Pat Brink,

DULUTH, Minn. –It’s been nearly a full month since Northland voters went to the polls to vote in the mid-term election. The votes have all been tabulated and the results have been announced. However, recounts began in two very close legislative races, 3A and 3B, got underway The County Commissioner’s room in the St. Louis County Courthouse was full of…

Supreme Court Taking Up Clash Of Religion And Gay Rights

December 5, 2022

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is hearing the case Monday of a Christian graphic artist who objects to designing wedding websites for gay couples, a dispute that’s the latest clash of religion and gay rights to land at the highest court. The designer and her supporters say that ruling against her would force artists — from painters and photographers to writers and musicians…

Biden Sees Economy Avoiding Recession, But Risks Remain

December 2, 2022

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden assured Americans on Friday that the U.S. economy is chugging along in the holiday season, but the very strength of a new jobs report showed that high inflation remains a recession threat. At the White House, the president signed an emergency bill to avert a rail strike that he said could have caused 765,000 job losses…

Rail Strike Averted: Biden Signs Bill Enforcing Agreement

December 2, 2022

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden signed a bill Friday to avert a freight rail strike that he said could have plunged the U.S. into a catastrophic recession. At the White House, Biden signed a measure passed Thursday by the Senate and Wednesday by the House. It binds rail companies and workers to a proposed settlement that was reached between the railroads…

Duluth Mayor Emily Larson Elected To National League Of Cities Board

December 1, 2022

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Mayor Emily Larson said Thursday she’s “excited and honored” to represent Duluth on a new national level as a board member for the National League of Cities. The organization is the largest of its kind in the U.S. It’s made up of thousands of leaders from cities across the country. Their goal is to improve the quality…

Biden Administration Presses Senators To Avert Rail Strike

December 1, 2022

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy would face a severe economic shock if senators don’t pass legislation this week to avert a freight rail worker strike. That’s the message the Biden administration is delivering personally to Democratic senators in a closed-door session Thursday. The House acted soon after a request from President Joe Biden and on Wednesday passed legislation that would bind…

Biden Hosting Macron Amid Some Friction Over US Climate Law

December 1, 2022

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — Presidents Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron are celebrating the long-standing U.S.-French relationship, but these are friends with differences. The French leader is using his visit to Washington to sharply criticize aspects of his ally’s signature climate law as a bad deal for Europe. Biden was set to honor Macron with the first state dinner of his presidency on Thursday evening. First, the presidents…

Landmark Same-Sex Marriage Bill Wins Senate Passage

November 30, 2022

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate passed bipartisan legislation Tuesday to protect same-sex marriages, an extraordinary sign of shifting national politics on the issue and a measure of relief for the hundreds of thousands of same-sex couples who have married since the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision that legalized gay marriage nationwide. The bill, which would ensure that same-sex and interracial marriages…

Vote Recounts For MN Districts 3A And 3B As Small Number Of Votes Separate Candidates

November 29, 2022

Alexandra Burnley,

MINNESOTA — The Minnesota Secretary of State’s office has confirmed that two districts will have recounts next month. Districts 3A and 3B will see a recount of the votes for the state house seats. It includes St. Louis, Itasca, Koochiching, Cook, and Lake counties. In district 3A, Republican Roger Skraba leads incumbent Rob Ecklund with the DFL by 15 votes….

Senate To Vote On Landmark Bill To Protect Same-Sex Marriage

November 29, 2022

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate will vote Tuesday on bipartisan legislation to protect same-sex and interracial marriages, moving Congress closer to passing the landmark bill and ensuring that such unions are enshrined in federal law. The expected passage of the legislation with support from both parties is an extraordinary sign of the shifting politics on the issue and a measure…

High Court To Hear Arguments Over Biden’s Deportation Policy

November 29, 2022

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is taking up a dispute over a blocked Biden administration policy that would prioritize deportation of people in the country illegally who pose the greatest public safety risk. Republican-led states sued and won a nationwide court order that is meant to limit immigration officers’ discretion in deciding whom to deport. The justices are hearing arguments in the case…

Biden Boosts US Effort To Stem Sexual Violence In War Zones

November 28, 2022

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is strengthening U.S. policy aimed at stemming sexual violence in war conflict zones, elevating the problem — increasingly documented in Ukraine and elsewhere — to the level of a possible serious human rights abuse that triggers sanctions and other actions against foreign perpetrators. Biden, a Democrat, on Monday will sign a presidential memorandum that seeks to combat the…

Biden Brings Thanksgiving Pies To Nantucket First Responders

November 24, 2022

The Associated Press,

NANTUCKET, Mass. (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday delivered at least half a dozen pies to Massachusetts firefighters during a Thanksgiving Day show of appreciation and his toddler grandson walked away with a red fire hat topping his blond curls. “Oh wow,” Biden was heard to say upon seeing Beau Biden, who is nearly 3, emerge from the headquarters building wearing…

Ramsay Joins ‘Legal Complaint’ Against Former Employer City Of Wichita

November 23, 2022

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Newly elected St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay is part of a legal complaint against his former employer, the city of Wichita, claiming internal corruption and cover-ups within city hall and retaliation against him when he was police chief there. According to The Wichita Eagle, Ramsay has joined three deputy chiefs in the complaint. For Ramsay, he’s…

After Midterms, States Weighing Abortion Protections, Bans

November 23, 2022

The Associated Press,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Democrats hope to use their newfound political control in some states to guarantee that women have access to abortion, while some GOP strongholds may temper their efforts to deepen restrictions after poorer-than-expected results in the midterms. Even after their gains this month, Democrats lack the power to codify abortion rights into federal law. That puts the abortion debate squarely on the…

Vacant Superior Council Seat To Be Filled In April Special Election

November 22, 2022

Mason Kroll,

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Superior city councilors voted Tuesday to wait until a special election in April to fill now-former councilor Warren Bender’s seat who resigned suddenly a week ago. Bender cited a medical issue for leaving his 3rd District council seat after 15 years. He also apologized to anyone he inadvertently hurt. The letter of resignation came after a police…

Biden To Extend Student Loan Pause As Court Battle Drags On

November 22, 2022

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden announced Tuesday that his administration will extend a pause on federal student loan payments while the White House fights a legal battle to save his plan to cancel portions of the debt. “It isn’t fair to ask tens of millions of borrowers eligible for relief to resume their student debt payments while the courts consider…

Supreme Court OKs Handover Of Trump Tax Returns To Congress

November 22, 2022

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Tuesday cleared the way for the imminent handover of former President Donald Trump’s tax returns to a congressional committee after a three-year legal fight. The court, without comment, rejected Trump’s plea for an order that would have prevented the Treasury Department from giving six years of tax returns for Trump and some of his businesses…

Biden Opens Holidays, Pardons Turkeys Chocolate And Chip

November 21, 2022

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden continued a 75-year tradition Monday and pardoned a pair of Thanksgiving turkeys named after his favorite flavor of ice cream while cracking jokes about his political party’s better-than-expected performance in this month’s midterm elections. “The votes are in, they’ve been counted and verified,” Biden said as he welcomed Chocolate and Chip before hundreds of people gathered on…

Garland Names Special Counsel To Lead Trump-Related Probes

November 18, 2022

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Merrick Garland named a special counsel on Friday to oversee the Justice Department’s investigation into the presence of classified documents at former President Donald Trump’s Florida estate as well as key aspects of a separate probe involving the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and efforts to undo the 2020 election. The appointment of veteran prosecutor Jack Smith, announced just three…

Pelosi Won’t Seek Leadership Role, Plans To Stay In Congress

November 17, 2022

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that she will not seek a leadership position in the new Congress, a pivotal realignment making way for a new generation of leaders after Democrats lost control of the House to Republicans in the midterm elections. Pelosi announced in a spirited speech on the House floor that she will step aside after leading Democrats…

Republicans Win Back Control Of House With Narrow Majority

November 17, 2022

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans won control of the U.S. House on Wednesday, returning the party to power in Washington and giving conservatives leverage to blunt President Joe Biden’s agenda and spur a flurry of investigations. But a threadbare majority will pose immediate challenges for GOP leaders and complicate the party’s ability to govern. More than a week after Election Day, Republicans secured…

Duluth Schools Superintendent Gets New Three-Year Contract

November 16, 2022

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth School Board is sticking with its top leader for another three years. Supt. John Magas joined the district in 2020, just days after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic and schools across the state would face major challenges to continue education among the virus. Magas will make $205,000 for the 2023-2024 contract year followed by $209,500…

Trump Criminal Probes Will Proceed — Even As He’s Candidate

November 16, 2022

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump’s early announcement of his third White House bid won’t shield the former president from the criminal investigations already confronting him as an ordinary citizen, leaving him legally and politically exposed as he seeks the 2024 Republican nomination. The Justice Department is pushing ahead with its probes. And with the midterm elections now mostly complete and the 2024 presidential campaign…

Trump Seeks White House Again Amid GOP Losses, Legal Probes

November 15, 2022

The Associated Press,

PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) – Former President Donald Trump is running for president again. Trump made his plans official Tuesday night after teasing the potential of a comeback since before he even left the White House in 2021. He had hoped to piggyback off expected Republican gains in last week’s midterm elections and stave off potential challengers. Instead, Trump is…

Longtime Superior City Councilor Resigns Following Investigation

November 15, 2022

Dan Hanger,

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Longtime Superior City Councilor Warren Bender has resigned from his 3rd District council seat, citing medical issues. Bender sent his resignation letter to Mayor Jim Paine’s office late Monday. The resignation became effective at 8 a.m. Tuesday, and it comes after a police investigation involving Bender’s communication with a woman through Facebook messenger. In his resignation letter,…

Biden Asks For More Than $37 Billion In Ukraine Aid

November 15, 2022

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is asking Congress to provide more than $37 billion in emergency aid to Ukraine, a massive infusion of cash that could help support the nation as Russian forces suffer battlefield losses in their nine-month-old invasion. The administration’s funding request, which comes as lawmakers begin their post-election session, also seeks $9.25 billion in COVID-19 funding to…

GOP On Cusp Of Retaking House Control With Slim Majority

November 15, 2022

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans were on the cusp of retaking control of the House late Monday, just one victory shy of the 218 seats the party needs to secure a majority, narrowing the path for Democrats to keep the chamber and raising the prospect of a divided government in Washington. Democrats have already won control of the Senate, securing 50 seats…

Trump Prepares To Launch 3rd Campaign For The White House

November 15, 2022

The Associated Press,

PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump is preparing to launch his third campaign for the White House on Tuesday, looking to move on from disappointing midterm defeats and defy history amid signs that his grip on the Republican Party is waning. Trump had hoped to use the GOP’s expected gains in last week’s elections as a springboard to vault himself to his party’s nomination by locking in…

Biden: Still Not Enough Votes To Codify Abortion Rights

November 14, 2022

The Associated Press,

NUSA DUA, Indonesia (AP) — President Joe Biden said Monday that Democrats still lack the power to codify abortion rights into law despite his party’s stronger-than-expected performance in the midterm elections. “I don’t think there’s enough votes,” he said at a press conference during the Group of 20 summit in Indonesia. Biden’s blunt comments reflected how Democrats’ euphoria over their strength…

Biden Says Climate Efforts ‘More Urgent Than Ever’ At Summit

November 11, 2022

The Associated Press,

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt” (AP) — President Joe Biden, speaking Friday at an annual international summit on climate change, urged world leaders to “double down” on their resolve to fight global warming, saying Russia’s invasion of Ukraine reinforces the need to phase out fossil fuels. “We can no longer plead ignorance to the consequences of our actions, or continue to repeat our…

Biden To Climate Talks, 1st Leg Of Around-The-World Trip

November 11, 2022

The Associated Press,

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt (AP) — President Joe Biden arrived Friday in Egypt for a global climate meeting with a giant domestic investment in tow — and he’s likely to face questions about how far the U.S. will go to pull other large greenhouse gas emitters along. His attendance at the U.N. climate conference, known as COP27, in the resort town of Sharm…