Political Archives - Page 25 of 61

Minnesota House Launches Into Contentious Budget Debate

June 17, 2021

The Associated Press,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota House launched into a long, contentious debate Thursday as it held its first votes on big-budget bills that lawmakers were unable to pass before time ran out on the year’s regular session last month. The House had four bills teed up for final floor votes. But minority House Republicans were unhappy with being shut out…

Gov. Walz Appoints Bhupesh Pattni to Fill Sixth Judicial District Vacancy

June 17, 2021

Site Staff,

DULUTH, Minn. – Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced on Thursday the appointment of Bhupesh Pattni as District Court Judge in the Sixth Judicial District. Minnesota’s Sixth Judicial District encompasses Carlton, Cook, Lake, and St. Louis counties. “I am honored to appoint Bhupesh Pattni to the Sixth Judicial District,” said Governor Walz. “Mr. Pattni has a wealth of experience,…

Wisconsin Assembly to Vote on Transgender Sports Bans

June 16, 2021

The Associated Press,

(Steve Apps/Wisconsin State Journal via AP) MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Assembly plans to vote on bills banning transgender athletes from participating in girls’ and women’s sports. The measures being debated Wednesday in the middle of gay pride month are all but certain to be headed for a veto by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. Even though they are…

Minnesota Lawmakers Convene Special Session to Finish Budget

June 14, 2021

The Associated Press,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota lawmakers have returned to unfinished business at the Capitol as they begin a special session to finalize a two-year budget and avert a potential government shutdown at the end of the month. Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman says four of the 13 unresolved budget bills are “completely ready to go.” She says the public…

Justice Official Resigning Amid Uproar Over Dems’ Subpoenas

June 14, 2021

The Associated Press,

(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, pool) WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department’s top national security official is resigning from his position after revelations that the department secretly seized records from Democrats and members of the media. John Demers will leave his position by the end of next week. That’s according to a Justice Department official who spoke to The Associated Press on…

Gov. Evers Tours Sustainable Food Program at Northland College

On Friday Governor Tony Evers toured the Hulings Rice Food Center on the Northland College campus.

June 12, 2021

CJ Baumgartner,

ASHLAND, Wis.– At Northland College in Ashland, a school food program has been teaching students how to grow sustainability. And it’s catching the eye of the Wisconsin governor. On Friday Governor Tony Evers toured the Hulings Rice Food Center on the Northland College campus. “It’s always good to get out of the bubble of the state capital,” said Evers. The…

Minnesota State Capitol Reopening to the Public Ahead of Special Session

Thursday Marks the First Reopening to the Public Since the Start of the COVID-19 Pandemic

June 10, 2021

Site Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – The Minnesota State Capitol will start welcoming visitors once again on Thursday. It had been closed since the early days of the pandemic. Thursday’s reopening comes just one week after the fence around the capitol was fully removed. It was installed in response to the riots following the death of George Floyd and was even beefed…

Wisconsin Senate Passes Bills Making it Harder to Vote

The Measures Are Likely to be Vetoed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers

June 10, 2021

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The Wisconsin Senate has approved Republican-backed bills that would create new hurdles for the elderly and disabled to cast absentee ballots, limit the number and location of ballot drop boxes and impose new penalties for violating election law. All of the measures are almost certain to be vetoed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who has said…

US Drops Trump Order Targeting TikTok, Plans Its Own Review

June 9, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House dropped Trump-era executive orders intended to ban the popular apps TikTok and WeChat and will conduct its own review aimed at identifying national security risks with software applications tied to China, officials said Wednesday. A new executive order directs the Commerce Department to undertake what officials describe as an “evidence-based” analysis of transactions involving apps that are manufactured…

Supreme Court Rules Against Immigrants With Temporary Status

June 7, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — A unanimous Supreme Court has ruled that thousands of people living in the U.S. for humanitarian reasons are ineligible to apply to become permanent residents. Justice Elena Kagan wrote for the court Monday that federal immigration law prohibits people who entered the country illegally and now have Temporary Protected Status from seeking “green cards” to remain in…

Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Evers Launches Bid for Second Term

June 7, 2021

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is making it official, announcing his bid for a second term in the battleground state where he stands as a Democratic block to the Republican-controlled state Legislature. Evers told The Associated Press in an interview that he decided to run again because he has unfinished business and needs to remain a check…

Facebook Suspends Trump for 2 Years, Then Will Reassess

June 4, 2021

The Associated Press,

(AP) – Facebook said it is suspending former President Donald Trump’s accounts for two years following its finding that he stoked violence ahead of the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection. The two-year suspension is effective from Jan. 7, so Trump has 19 months to go. In a press release, the former president called Facebook’s decision “an insult.” “They shouldn’t be allowed…

Biden Announces International COVID-19 Vaccine Sharing Plan

June 3, 2021

The Associated Press,

(courtesy: Facebook/Biden) WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is unveiling President Joe Biden’s plans to share COVID-19 vaccines with the world, including directing 75% of excess doses through the UN-backed COVAX global vaccine sharing program. The White House has previously stated its intent to share 80 million vaccine doses with the world by the end of June. The administration says…

Local Elections New Front in Wisconsin Redistricting Battle

June 2, 2021

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — County board and local aldermanic districts in Wisconsin would remain the same next year under a bill moving quickly through the Republican-controlled Legislature. The measure introduced on Tuesday and heard by an Assembly committee on Wednesday would delay redistricting and implementation of new political boundaries for local races until at least 2023. The bill is supported…

Biden Pushes for US Voting Rights Law as Restrictions Mount

June 2, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has used the 100th anniversary of Tulsa’s race massacre to plea for sweeping legislation in Congress to protect the right to vote. Biden’s message comes as Republican-led state governments pass new restrictions making it tougher to cast ballots. Biden called out lawmakers in Congress — including two senators in his own party — for…

Minnesota Legislators Miss Friday Goal for Budget Numbers

May 31, 2021

The Associated Press,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Lawmakers are still negotiating Minnesota’s next two-year budget and won’t meet the goal of Friday set by their leaders for agreeing on the final numbers that will go into the big-spending bills that lawmakers must pass in the coming weeks. Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman says negotiators are still driving as hard as they can to get…

Sen. Tina Smith Introduces Mental Health Legislation As Demand For Therapists Skyrockets

May 30, 2021

Alexandra Burnley,

WASHINGTON, D.C./DULUTH, Minn. — U.S. Senator Tina Smith, a Democrat representing Minnesota, wants to expand and support mental health resources with several proposals in Congress as clinics are seeing their patient lists fill up like never before. For Mental Health Awareness Month, Senator Smith posted several tweets on her Twitter page about her own journey with depression. “Having that opportunity…

Minnesota Legislators Miss Friday Goal for Budget Numbers

May 28, 2021

The Associated Press,

(AP Photo/Steve Karnowski) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Lawmakers are still negotiating Minnesota’s next two-year budget and won’t meet the goal of Friday set by their leaders for agreeing on the final numbers that will go into the big-spending bills that lawmakers must pass in the coming weeks. But Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman said negotiators are still “driving as hard as…

GOP Blocks Bipartisan Probe of Deadly Jan. 6 Riot at Capitol

May 28, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) – Senate Republicans have blocked the creation of a bipartisan panel to study the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. The Senate fell sort of the 60 votes needed to consider a House-passed bill that would have formed a 10-member commission evenly split between the two parties. It was another sign of GOP fealty to former President Donald…

Duluth Council Forgives Spirit Mountain’s $900K Debt As Part Of Larger Plan

May 24, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth city council voted Monday to forgive $900,000 of Spirt Mountain’s $1.2 million line of credit after tabling the vote weeks ago. Councilors Derek Medved and Joel Sipress voted against the resolution. Mayor Emily Larson has previously said she agrees with the outside consultant’s recommendation to forgive most of Spirit Mountain’s debt to really move forward…

Duluth City Councilors Officially Lift Mask Mandate; City Hall Closure Update Wednesday

May 24, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth city council unanimously voted Monday to officially end the city’s mask mandate. Councilor Terese Tomanek was absent. The vote comes after Gov. Tim Walz announced earlier this month the statewide mandate was lifted per guidance from the CDC. The city of Duluth followed up by saying it would not enforce the ordinance any longer. Councilors…

Biden Doubling Spending to Prepare for Hurricanes, Storms

May 24, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is doubling U.S. emergency spending to help communities prepare for hurricanes and other extreme weather events while launching a new effort at NASA to better understand and track the impacts of climate change. The $1 billion in federal spending being announced Monday is a small fraction of what the U.S. spends on weather-related disasters….

27 Possible Voter Fraud Cases in Three Million Wisconsin Ballots

Nearly 3.3 Million People Voted in the 2020 Presidential Election

May 22, 2021

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Just over two dozen potential cases of voter fraud out of more than three million ballots cast in the November presidential election have been identified by Wisconsin election officials and forwarded to local district attorneys for possible prosecution. That’s according to documents obtained Friday by The Associated Press under the state’s open records law. The 27…

Biden to Host Floyd Family at The White House Tuesday

The Meeting Comes as the Floyd Family Marks One Year Since George Floyd Lost His Life in Minneapolis

May 22, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will host George Floyd’s family at the White House Tuesday to mark the first anniversary of his death at the hands of a white Minneapolis police officer. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Friday the president would mark the anniversary of Floyd’s death, but offered no further details on his plans. Floyd died…

City of Duluth Employees Still Mandated to Wear Masks, City Hall’s Reopening Date Not Clear

May 19, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s been nearly a week since the city of Duluth said it would no longer enforce the citywide mask mandate following Governor Tim Walz’s announcement to do the same across the state. But that doesn’t mean Duluth city employees have been allowed to ditch their masks while on the job. Chief Administrative Officer Noah Schuchman released a…

Wisconsin DOJ Official Alleges Racial, Gender Harassment

May 17, 2021

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A top administrator at the Wisconsin Department of Justice alleges that Attorney General Josh Kaul’s administration is paying her less and treating her poorly because she’s a Black woman. Division of Law Enforcement Services Administrator Tina Virgil filed a complaint last month with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging that she’s the second-lowest paid administrator…

Biden Boosting World Vaccine Sharing Commitment to 80M Doses

May 17, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. will share an additional 20 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines with the world in the coming six weeks. White House press secretary Jen Psaki says the doses would come from existing U.S. production of Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccine stocks. It isn’t yet clear which countries will receive them. President Joe Biden will…

Minnesota Legislative Leaders Say They Have a Budget Deal

May 17, 2021

The Associated Press,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The two top leaders of the Minnesota Legislature said they reached an agreement with Democratic Gov. Tim Walz early Monday on broad targets for the state’s next two-year budget but that lawmakers will have to reconvene for a special session in mid-June to finish the work. Republican Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka and Democratic House…

Wisconsin Lawmakers to Take First Police Votes Since Floyd

May 10, 2021

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin lawmakers are poised to take their first votes on police reform measures since George Floyd died last year. The state Senate is set to vote Tuesday on five bipartisan bills. More divisive proposals, such as a ban on the use of chokeholds, remain in the works. One bill up Tuesday would require Milwaukee and Madison’s…

Reversing Trump, US Restores Transgender Health Protections

May 10, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Biden administration says the government will protect gay and transgender people against sex discrimination in health care. That reverses a Trump-era policy that sought to narrow the scope of legal rights in sensitive situations involving medical care. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said Monday that LGBTQ people should have the same access to health…

Minnesota Legislature Faces Tough Budget Talks in Week Ahead

May 7, 2021

The Associated Press,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — As the Minnesota Legislature enters the last full week of its 2021 session, lawmakers face tough negotiations for a balanced budget by next Monday’s mandatory adjournment date. And given the Legislature’s partisan split, the final package is expected to make only incremental changes instead of sweeping overhauls. There are deep disagreements over what should be in the…

Mayor Larson’s Plan: $24 Million For Duluth’s Spirit Mountain

Larson touts new jobs, more visitors and a larger economic impact from the investment.

May 6, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – A historic shift in support for Spirit Mountain’s future was announced Thursday. Duluth Mayor Emily Larson said a proposed $24 million capital investment plan will take the city-owned attraction to its true potential, which includes adding hundreds of new jobs, six times the number of visitors and increasing the economic impact of more than $10 million. “We…

Republicans Scrap Evers’ Priorities, Start Writing Budget

May 6, 2021

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Hundreds of Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ priorities, including legalizing marijuana, raising $1 billion in taxes, and expanding collective bargaining rights, have been killed by the Legislature’s Republican-controlled budget committee. Lawmakers are taking their first votes Thursday in writing the next state budget. Republicans essentially scrapped the Democratic governor’s entire two-year proposal. They instead are building off…

Facebook Board Upholds Trump Suspension

May 5, 2021

The Associated Press,

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Former President Donald Trump won’t return to Facebook — for now. The social network’s quasi-independent Oversight Board voted to uphold his ban from the platform after his account was suspended four months ago for inciting violence that led to the deadly Jan. 6 Capitol riot. While upholding the suspension, the board faulted Facebook in a statement…

WATCH TONIGHT: Biden to Pitch Sweeping ‘Family Plan’ in Speech to Congress

April 28, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will use his first joint address to Congress to pitch a $1.8 trillion investment in children, families, and education that would transform the role government plays in American life. Biden delivers the Wednesday speech on the eve of his 100th day in office. Biden will make his case before a pared-down gathering of mask-wearing…

Minnesota Narrowly Misses Losing US House Seat; Keeps All 8

April 26, 2021

The Associated Press,

(AP) – Minnesota has narrowly avoided losing a seat in Congress even though population growth in the state didn’t keep up with that of some other states. Minnesota’s growth rate of 7.4% was slightly better than the nationwide rate of 7.1%, helping Minnesota keep all eight of the U.S. House seats it has had since the 1960s. Minnesota may have…

Supreme Court to Take Up Right to Carry Gun for Self-Defense

April 26, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal to expand gun rights in the United States in a New York case over the right to carry a firearm in public for self-defense. The case will be argued in the fall and marks the court’s first foray into gun rights since Justice Amy Coney Barrett came on…

Countering Biden, GOP Pitches $568B For Infrastructure

April 22, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — A group of Senate Republicans on Thursday unveiled a public works proposal with a much smaller price tag and a narrower definition of infrastructure than what President Joe Biden has proposed, highlighting the stark differences between the two sides that will be difficult to bridge in the coming months. The price of the Republicans’ two-page outline came in…

Gov. Evers Orders Use of Force Updates for State Law Enforcement

The Evers executive order came Wednesday after the Assembly’s bipartisan racial disparities task force issued 18 recommendations to address policing practices statewide.

April 22, 2021

Arman Rahman,

(Steve Apps/Wisconsin State Journal via AP, File) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Gov. Tony Evers has ordered the Wisconsin State Patrol and other state law enforcement agencies to update their use of force policies to prohibit chokeholds, unless as a last resort. The Evers executive order came Wednesday after the Assembly’s bipartisan racial disparities task force issued 18 recommendations to address…

At ‘Moment of Peril,’ Biden Opens Global Summit on Climate

April 22, 2021

Arman Rahman,

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Joe Biden has convened a global climate summit – by livestream from around the world because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Biden started it out Thursday with an ambitious U.S. pledge to cut by at least one-half the climate-wrecking coal and petroleum fumes that America is pumping out. He is hoping the commitment, along with similar ones…

Biden Aims For Momentum as US Returns to Climate Fight

April 21, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is convening a coalition of the willing, the unwilling, the desperate-for-help, and the avid-for-money for a two-day summit aimed at rallying the world’s worst polluters to do more to slow climate change. Biden’s first task when his virtual summit opens Thursday is to convince the world that the United States is both willing and…

Biden, Harris to Speak After Floyd Case Verdict

April 20, 2021

The Associated Press,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will deliver remarks Tuesday evening after the conviction of ex-police officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd. Biden, Harris and first lady Jill Biden called members of the Floyd family moments after the verdict, according to video posted by family attorney Ben Crump. Biden told the family,…

Walter Mondale, Former Vice President And Senator, Dies at 93

April 19, 2021

Site Staff,

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Walter Mondale passed away in Minneapolis Monday at the age of 93, his family says. The Minnesotan’s long career in politics was highlighted by serving as Jimmy Carter’s Vice President. He also served as Minnesota’s Attorney General, U.S. Senator and the U.S. Ambassador to Japan. Former Mondale staff members received an email he crafted for them in the…

Governor Walz Requests Assistance From States in Advance of Chauvin Trial Verdict

April 19, 2021

Site Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn. – On Monday afternoon, Governor Tim Walz issued a request for Ohio and Nebraska to bring assistance to Minnesota in advance of the Derek Chauvin trial verdict. The request was made under the Federal Emergency Management Assistance Compact. “As the world awaits a verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin, we need support in our efforts to…

Longtime Duluth City Councilor Zack Filipovich Not Seeking Re-Election

April 14, 2021

KQDS Staff,

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth At-Large City Councilor Zack Filipovich says he is not running for a third term. Filipovich became the youngest councilor ever elected at the age of 23 in 2013. He is currently the Secretary of the Duluth Economic Development Authority Board, board member on the Metropolitan Interstate Council, and the Chair of the Planning and Economic Development…

Senate OKs Republican COVID Package Despite Veto Threat

April 14, 2021

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republicans who control the state Senate gave final approval Wednesday to a set of bills that would wrest control of billions of dollars in federal pandemic aid from Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and hand it to the GOP. The state is in line to receive $3.2 billion in federal stimulus money. By law, the funding is…

Wisconsin Supreme Court Says Governor Can’t Limit Capacity

April 14, 2021

The Associated Press,

(Steve Apps/Wisconsin State Journal via AP, File) MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court has ruled that Gov. Tony Evers’ administration does not have the authority to issue capacity limits on bars, restaurants, and other businesses without approval of the Legislature, a ruling that comes two weeks after the Conservative-controlled court struck down the state’s mask mandate. BREAKING: Wisconsin…

Human Rights Commission Speaks Out ‘In Light of Continued Police Violence’ Ahead of Listening Session

That listening session will take place via zoom Wednesday at 6 p.m.

April 13, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- The City Of Duluth’s Human Rights Commission hosted press conference Tuesday in light of recent instances of fatal police interactions with people of color. “We are here to say that Daunte Wright didn’t deserve to die,” said Bettina Keppers, Chair of the Commission. The Commission says the intent of the press conference was to acknowledge systemic violence, invite…

Duluth’s Sustainability Officer Ready To Tackle City Council’s ‘Climate Emergency’ Declaration

April 13, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth’s sustainability officer, Mindy Granley, is applauding the city council’s declaration of a “climate emergency” and says she’s ready to take Duluth to the next level to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the city. Granley says the city will be creating an initial five-year “climate action plan,” which will be presented to the council by the…

Assembly Set to Vote on Republicans’ COVID Spending Bills

April 13, 2021

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Assembly is set to vote on Republican plans for spending $3.2 billion in federal pandemic response aid. The GOP has put together a package of bills that call for a $1 billion property tax cut; $200 million for small businesses; and $75 million in tourism grants. The package also calls for $150 million for…