WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump has named a veteran lawyer to oversee the government’s ethics agency until a new permanent chief is selected. The Office of Government Ethics confirmed Friday that Trump designated the agency’s general counsel, David J. Apol, to become its acting director. Apol worked on ethics programs for several federal agencies before he joined the OGE….
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Democratic state superintendent Tony Evers has filed paperwork to set up a run for governor. Evers said Friday that creating a campaign committee is the next logical step to take, but he expects to make a final decision on whether to get into the race “in the near future.” Evers becomes the sixth Democrat to create…
(Evan Vucci, AP Photo) WASHINGTON (AP) — White House press secretary Sean Spicer, President Donald Trump’s embattled spokesman during the first six months of his presidency, is resigning his position, according to two people with knowledge of the decision. Spicer’s decision appears to be linked to the appointment of a new White House communications director, New York financier Anthony…
(AP Photo/Evan Vucci) WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump declared Tuesday it’s time to “let Obamacare fail” after the latest GOP health care plan crashed and burned in the Senate, a stunning failure for the president, Republican leader Mitch McConnell and a party that has vowed for years to abolish the law. In a head-spinning series of developments, rank-and-file Republican…
(AP Photo | Charles Rex Arbogast, File) CHICAGO (AP) — Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert was released from prison in Minnesota and transferred to a Chicago re-entry facility, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Hastert was sentenced to 15 months in prison in April 2016 in a banking violations case that revealed accusations he had sexually abused teenagers…
Superior, Wis. — The City of Superior has a problem — a good problem. The city needs to decide how to spend $100,000 in excess hotel and motel tax revenue. The $100,000 has added up over the years from leftover balances. At this point the City Council and Superior Mayor Jim Paine have decided to put together an events committee….
DULUTH, Minn. – The more than century old Union Depot needs repairs. About $8 million worth in the next five to seven years. “It’s time to make a significant investment back into this building to preserve it for the next 100–plus years,” said St. Louis Co. Property Management Director Tony Mancuso. One project though, needs immediate attention. “We need to…
(AP Photo/Evan Vucci) WASHINGTON (FOX NEWS) – Two Democratic congressmen introduced an article of impeachment on Wednesday against President Trump, accusing him of obstruction of justice over his firing of former FBI Director James Comey. The resolution says Trump “prevented, obstructed, and impeded” the investigation of former national security adviser Michael Flynn by “threatening and then terminating” Comey. “We now…
DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Police Lieutenant and St. Louis County Commissioner, Pete Stauber has announced that he will be running for U.S. Congress from Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District. Stauber, a Republican, will be seeking the seat currently occupied by Democratic Representative Rick Nolan. Pete Stauber Stauber was elected to the St. Louis County Board of Commissioners in 2012, representing the…
A police officer sprays a crowd of protesters with liquid in Hamburg, German during a protest against the G-20 summit. (AP/Michael Probst) HAMBURG, Germany (FOX NEWS) – Thousands of anti-capitalist protesters fought with police in Hamburg, Germany, Thursday ahead of the G-20 summit where President Donald Trump and other world leaders will be meeting. Police in Hamburg were seen using…
AP FILE, Jan. 23, 2017 WASHINGTON (FOX NEWS) – The head of the United States Office of Government Ethics, who clashed with President Donald Trump and his administration, said on Thursday he would resign before his five-year term ends in January. In a letter to Trump dated on Thursday and posted on his Twitter account, Walter Schaub, said he would…
Joined by family of Philando Castile, Governor Dayton recommends new law enforcement training fund be named in memory of Philando Castile. ST. PAUL, Minn. – Governor Mark Dayton today issued a letter to the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board, requesting that its members name a new law enforcement training fund in memory of Philando Castile, who was tragically…
DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth City Council President Joel Sipress is officially running for re-election. Sipress officially filed his paperwork at around 11:00 a.m. earlier this morning. Sipress has been serving the Second District in Duluth since being appointed in 2013, and was chosen as the Council President at the beginning of this year. He says he will continue to push…
BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. – Nine term DFL Representative and Anoka County prosecutor Debra hilstrom announced her bid to become Minnesota’s next Attorney General. Hilstrom is one of three Democrats running to replace Lori Swanson. But only if Swanson, the current Attorney General, runs for Governor. Hilstrom, who was first elected to the state house in 2000, ran an unsuccesful campaign…
SUPERIOR, Wis. — Superior mayor Jim Paine has a lot of hope for his city. His enthusiasm comes with the official announcement of the city’s first production brewery in more than fifty years. As he gazes at the old warehouse that, when renovated, will become Earth Rider Brewery, he reflects on the impact it will make on the city. “It’s…
DULUTH, Minn. – On Monday, City Councilors voted 5–3 in favor of re–zoning a property on Boundary Avenue along the border with Proctor as mixed use residential and commercial. However, re–zoning requires a super majority of six votes. “The ordinance as it is, is done and we can’t pass it in the form it was shot down,” said At-Large Councilor…
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a bruising setback, Senate Republican leaders are delaying a vote on their prized health care bill until after the July 4 recess, forced to retreat by a GOP rebellion that left them lacking enough votes to even begin debating the legislation. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., delivered the message to GOP senators Tuesday at a…
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Senate health care bill would result in 22 million more uninsured Americans over the next decade compared to current law. That’s according to an analysis Monday from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. The figure may further complicate Senate GOP leaders’ plans to pass their bill this week. It’s barely an improvement upon the health care bill…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin lawmakers are considering introducing highway tolling in the state as part of the next state budget. The Wisconsin State Journal reports that the tolls would help pay for road construction and repairs. The state’s business lobby and members of the tourism, hospitality, and manufacturing sectors say tolls could deter tourists, increase the cost of transporting…
(Photo: Newsfile)ST. PAUL, Minn. – Gov. Mark Dayton and the Legislature are headed to court in their dispute over the governor’s veto of the Legislature’s funding. Dayton’s veto following a special session was aimed at reopening negotiations on tax changes that he says favor the wealthy. Republican legislative leaders say his move is unconstitutional. Without the money, paychecks will eventually…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) Wisconsin’s craft brewers and wineries are trying to head off a plan they fear legislators will tuck into the state budget that would prevent them from selling their products on-site and force them into contracts with distributors. The Wisconsin Tavern League and the Wisconsin Beer Distributors Association have been trying to convince lawmakers to adopt legislation clearly…
WASHINGTON (AP) – Senate Republicans released their long-awaited bill Thursday to dismantle much of Barack Obama’s health care law, proposing to cut Medicaid for low-income Americans and erase tax boosts that Obama imposed on high-earners and medical companies to finances his expansion of coverage. The bill would provide less-generous tax credits to help people buy insurance and let states get…
(AP Photo/Evan Vucci) WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he “did not make” and doesn’t have any recordings of his private conversations with James Comey — his fired FBI director. Trump also tweets that he has “no idea” whether other “tapes” or recordings exist. Trump has disputed Comey’s assertion that Trump asked Comey for a pledge of loyalty during…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The Republican-controlled state Assembly has passed a bill designed to prohibit people with pre-existing health conditions from being excluded from health insurance coverage. Republicans brought the issue up after midnight on Thursday. It was not scheduled for debate and there was no notice that the Assembly planned to take up the issue. It passed on a…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel’s 72 county tour of the state stopped in Douglas County Wednesday. His message to local leaders: we know you exist, and we want to help. The A.G. held a round-table discussion where officials told him about Douglas County’s serious drug problem. Douglas Co. is Wisconsin’s only county ranked in the top ten…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Gov. Scott Walker has signed a bill into law that eliminates requirements that 16 and 17 year olds get parental permission to work. Walker signed the bill Wednesday. Republicans in the Legislature who supported the measure argued it would make it easier for children without parents to work. Democratic opponents countered that doing away with the…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Budget talks among Republicans who control the state Legislature remain stalled over how to pay for roads. Budget committee co-chair Rep. John Nygren said Wednesday that Senate Republicans want to increase the level of borrowing to pay for roads beyond the nearly half billion dollars that Gov. Scott Walker proposed. Nygren says transportation funding is the…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield is pulling out of the federal health care exchange in Wisconsin. Anthem blames a volatile market for its exit from the Affordable Care Act marketplace. Anthem spokesman Jeff Blunt says making pricing plans is increasingly difficult because of a shrinking and deteriorating individual market. The Associated Press says Anthem also cites…
DULUTH, Minn. – A new boating safety law was expected to be in effect right now in Minnesota, but there’s been a hold up. Sophia’s Law was passed last year by the Minnesota legislature. The law is named after a seven-year-old girl who died in 2015 from carbon monoxide poisoning while napping on her family’s boat on Lake Minnetonka, near the Twin…
DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth’s Public School District will pay $45 million out of its general fund over the next 15 years. The district took on the debt in the form of bonds which went to a variety of projects including construction of the new Duluth East and renovations at Denfeld High School. The city currently pays roughly $23 million a…
ST. PAUL, Minn.-Longtime Rep. Paul Thissen joins an already crowded field of DFL candidates for governor. Thissen plans to formally launch his campaign Thursday to replace Gov. Mark Dayton, who decided against a third term. He’s in his eighth two-year term representing southwest Minneapolis. Thissen joins U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, state Reps. Erin Murphy of St. Paul and Tina Liebling…
Michael Gableman MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman will not seek a second term next year. Two individuals have announced their candidacy for the seat. A person with direct knowledge of his decision, but who was not authorized to speak publicly about it told The Associated Press of Gableman’s decision Thursday. Gableman released a statement late…
UPDATE: President Donald Trump says the assailant in the congressional shooting has died from his injuries. Trump said Wednesday morning that the gunman who shot Rep. Steve Scalise, of Louisiana, had died. The assailant has been identified as James T. Hodgkinson. Scalise was shot at a congressional baseball practice just outside of Washington. Officials said several other people were also…
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump is again highlighting the stories of people whose healthcare premiums have skyrocketed as he tries to push a GOP replacement plan. Trump met with what the White House has been referring to as “victims” of former President Barack Obama’s health care law after landing in Milwaukee Tuesday afternoon. Trump says too many people have…
(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) WASHINGTON (AP) – Attorney General Jeff Sessions heatedly denied on Tuesday that he had any undisclosed meeting with the Russian ambassador or conversions with Russian officials about the U.S. elections. He vowed to defend his honor “against scurrilous and false allegations.” Testifying at a Senate hearing, Sessions said it was a “detestable and appalling lie” to…
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump will be touring a technical school in Wisconsin Tuesday as part of his push to boost jobs by increasing apprenticeships. Trump says the learn-and-earn arrangements are going to be “a big, big factor” in his effort to add jobs that employers are having trouble filling. The idea is for students to work at paid…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth City Council voted Monday night to rezone property near Proctor from residential to mixed-use, which allows a Kwik Trip development to move forward. The vote came down to a 5-3 vote with councilors Joel Sipress, Gary Anderson and Howie Hanson voting against the rezoning and Elissa Hansen absent. The parcels of land are at Boundary…
SEATTLE (AP) – Another federal appeals court has upheld a decision blocking President Donald Trump’s revised travel ban. The ruling Monday from a unanimous three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals deals the administration another legal defeat as the Supreme Court considers a separate case on the issue. The judges say the president violated the U.S. immigration…
DULUTH, Minn. – There is big news for the City of Duluth, as $200,000 is coming its way in an effort to bring the community together. Some Duluth city leaders submitted the idea of “Making Canal Park Pop” to the Knight Cities Challenge. Canal Park is known for its great view of the lake, shops and also the many cars driving…
CLOQUET, Minn. – After a three-month investigation, Cloquet’s police chief, Steve Stracek, is cleared of that “vote of no confidence” complaint by officers of his own department. It’s part of a separation agreement between Stracek and the city, which includes Stracek retiring Thursday. And now, for the first time since the investigation began in March, a longtime police commander is…
WASHINGTON (FOX NEWS) – President Trump on Wednesday said he intends to nominate former assistant attorney general Christopher Wray to be the next FBI director. Wray, currently a litigation partner at King & Spalding, would replace Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe, who took over when James Comey was fired by Trump in May. “I will be nominating Christopher A. Wray,…
AP Photo WASHINGTON (AP) – Former FBI Director James Comey will say in his opening statement at a congressional hearing that President Donald Trump told him, “I need loyalty. I expect loyalty” during an “awkward” conversation at a January dinner at the White House, according to documents released a day ahead of his highly anticipated testimony. Comey is set to…
Superior, Wis. After more than a month of emotions, anger and frustrations the Superior City Council has turned a new chapter involving the open council seat Graham Garfield resigned from. Garfield who is facing those serious charges of domestic abuse. The council chambers were packed mostly with support for Tylor Elm who the council ultimately appointed tonight seven to two….
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump will not assert executive privilege to block fired FBI Director James Comey from testifying on Capitol Hill, the White House said Monday, setting the stage for a dramatic public airing of the former top law enforcement official’s dealings with the commander in chief. White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the president’s power to…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Governor Scott Walker is keeping up the pressure on fellow Republicans to find a road-funding solution. Walker scheduled a news conference Monday alongside the ongoing work on the Highway 151/Verona Road reconstruction on the southwest side of Madison. Walker’s budget would keep that project on schedule and he’s warned that it and others could be delayed…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A group of Republican legislators are circulating a bill that would create gun safety classes for high school students. Under the bill, the state superintendent would have to work with the Department of Natural Resources or police or an organization that specializes in firearms safety or certifies firearm instructions to develop the curriculum for an elective…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – A legal battle is brewing between Gov. Mark Dayton and Minnesota lawmakers. Dayton zeroed out the Legislature’s budget while signing the rest of a $46 billion budget earlier this week. It was a response to the Legislature forcing him to sign a $650 million package of tax cuts that Dayton now wants to slim down….
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Governor Scott Walker is signaling his opposition to a bill that would allow Wisconsin residents to carry concealed handguns without obtaining a permit or going through training. Walker told reporters Thursday that he was “comfortable” with the current law requiring people who want to carry a concealed weapon to get training and obtain a license. A…
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Thursday he was withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement, striking a major blow to worldwide efforts to combat climate change and distancing the country from many allies abroad. He said the U.S. would try to negotiate re-entry on better terms. “As of today, the United States will cease all implementation of…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Thousands of state employees may still get access to paid parental leave for the next year even though Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed a bill containing the policy. Minnesota Public Radio reports that state officials plan to continue offering the policy, arguing that Dayton’s veto doesn’t matter and that the Legislature’s approval was enough. Dayton had…
