Political Archives - Page 28 of 62

Biden to Sign Virus Measures, Requires Mask Use to Travel

January 21, 2021

The Associated Press,

(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is putting into play his national COVID-19 strategy to ramp up vaccinations and testing, reopen schools and businesses and increase the use of masks — including a requirement that Americans mask up for travel. He’ll sign 10 virus-related executive orders on Thursday as the nation is deep in the deadliest wave…

UMD Students React To Inauguration Of Pres. Joe Biden And Vice Pres. Kamala Harris

Many UMD students took time in between classes to watch the swearing-in of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

January 20, 2021

Nachai Taylor,

DULUTH, Minn. – The inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris is getting a lot of attention on college campuses. No matter what their political views, watching the ceremonies was a chance for everyone to witness a big moment in history. “I’m excited. It’s like an important day no matter who gets inaugurated,” said Siiri Truckey, a…

Wisconsin Lawmakers Introduce Police Reform Package

January 20, 2021

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Three Wisconsin lawmakers have introduced legislation aimed at reforming police use-of-force policies and investigations. Republican Sens. Van Wanggaard and Alberta Darling along with Democratic Sen. Lena Taylor unveiled the package on Wednesday. The legislation would create a board that could investigate officer-involved deaths, require annual reports tallying use-of-force incidents, prohibit training on the use of chokehold,…

The Latest: Harris Gives Sendoff to Pence on Capitol Steps

January 20, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) – Vice President Kamala Harris has now taken on a role that would have typically been performed by the outgoing president. Harris and her husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, stood on the U.S. Capitol steps Wednesday to bid farewell to her predecessor, former Vice President Mike Pence, and his wife, Karen. The two couples stood and chatted for…

Klobuchar: Democracy Cannot Be Taken for Granted

January 20, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) — Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar took center stage at the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and used her introductory address to remind Americans that democracy cannot be taken for granted. Klobuchar says the insurrection at the Capitol just two weeks awakened Americans to their responsibility to carry the torch for democracy. Klobuchar…

Trump Pardons Minnesota Man Who Served Time for Drug Offense

January 20, 2021

The Associated Press,

UPDATE: MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — President Donald Trump has granted clemency to two Minnesota residents convicted of drug charges. Trump commuted the sentence of Cassandra Ann Kasowski, of Moorhead, who has served more than seven years of an 18-year sentence for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance. The case involved the transportation of mass…

The Latest: Biden Sworn in as Nation’s 46th President

January 20, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — Joe Biden has officially become the 46th president of the United States. Biden took the oath of office just before noon Wednesday during a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. The presidential oath was administered by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. Biden was sworn in using a Bible that has been in his family since 1893 and…

The Latest: Harris Sworn in as 1st Female Vice President

January 20, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kamala Harris has been sworn in as the nation’s first female vice president. The former U.S. senator from California is also the first Black person and the first person of South Asian descent elected to the vice presidency and becomes the highest-ranking woman ever to serve in government. She was sworn in Wednesday by Justice Sonia Sotomayor,…

Trump Pardons Ex-Strategist Steve Bannon, Dozens of Others

January 20, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has pardoned former chief strategist Steve Bannon as part of a late flurry of clemency action benefiting nearly 150 people, including rap stars and former members of Congress. The pardons and commutations for 143 people, including Bannon, were announced after midnight Wednesday in the final hours of Trump’s White House term. The last-minute clemency,…

The Latest: Biden, Harris Arrive at Capitol for Inauguration

January 20, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden has arrived at the U.S. Capitol ahead of his inauguration as the United States’ 46th president. Biden and his wife, Jill, arrived at the complex on Wednesday morning, about 90 minutes before his noon swearing-in ceremony. They were accompanied by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and her husband, Douglas Emhoff, and were greeted by U.S. Sen….

UPDATE: Bomb Threat Called Into Supreme Court

January 20, 2021

Site Staff,

(CNN) – A Supreme Court public information officer tells CNN that a bomb threat was called into the court, but the building has not been evacuated. Initial reports stated the Supreme Court was evacuated, however, reports now state the building and grounds were checked and the building was not evacuated. The Supreme Court building sits across the street from the…

The Latest: Acting Attorney General Resigns as Biden Enters

January 20, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen will resign when President-elect Joe Biden takes the oath of office. The Justice Department says Rosen’s resignation goes into effect at noon Wednesday. Rosen has run the department since former Attorney General William Barr resigned on Dec. 23. He was previously the deputy attorney general and deputy transportation secretary. Rosen has kept a…

Trump Leaves White House, Says ‘It’s Been a Great Honor’

January 20, 2021

Kelly Tekler,

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump has left the White House for the final time as president. After Trump emerged from the building he spoke briefly to aides and supporters and said, “It’s been a great honor.” After his departure, Trump went to Joint Base Andrews in suburban Maryland, where he had a military sendoff, with four U.S. Army cannons gave…

Sen. Amy Klobuchar To Speak At Presidential Inauguration She Helped Plan

January 19, 2021

Alexandra Burnley,

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Amy Klobuchar will play a big role in Wednesday’s presidential inauguration. The senator from Minnesota is on the Senate Rules Committee as the lead Democrat, and a member of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. She will be joining President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris at a small church service in the morning,…

The Latest: 12 Army National Guard Removed From Inauguration

January 19, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) – Pentagon officials say 12 Army National Guard members have been removed from securing President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration after vetting by the FBI, including two who posted and texted extremist views about Wednesday’s event. There was no specific threat to Biden. Two U.S. officials told The Associated Press that all 12 were found to have ties to right-wing…

UMD Political Science Professor Discusses Incoming Biden-Harris Administration

Dr. Cindy Rugeley Discusses Transitional Tradition, Unification, and Historical Significance as Biden-Harris Prepare to be Sworn In

January 19, 2021

Brett Scott,

DULUTH, Minn. – The United States is one day away from the swearing-in of our nation’s 46th President in Washington, D.C. The inauguration will no doubt look different than in years past, with COVID-19, recent civil unrest, and an outgoing President breaking transitional tradition. Dr. Cindy Rugeley, associate professor and department head of political science at UMD, weighed in on…

2 National Guard Members Removed From Biden Inauguration Security

January 19, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) – Two U.S. Army National Guard members are being removed from the security mission to secure Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration. A U.S. Army official and a senior U.S. intelligence official said the two National Guard members have been found to have ties to fringe right group militias. No plot against Biden was found. The Army official and the intelligence official…

Biden Taps Rachel Levine as Assistant Health Secretary

Levine Would be the First Openly Transgender Woman to be Confirmed by Senate

January 19, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden has tapped Pennsylvania Health Secretary Rachel Levine to be his assistant secretary of health, leaving her poised to become the first openly transgender federal official to be confirmed by the Senate. Levine is a pediatrician and former Pennsylvania physician general and was appointed to her current post by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf in 2017….

Joe Biden to Propose 8-Year Citizenship Path for Immigrants

January 19, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden plans to unveil a sweeping immigration bill on Day One of his administration. A person granted anonymity to discuss the legislation says it would provide an eight-year path to citizenship for an estimated 11 million people living in the U.S. without legal status. It’s a massive reversal from the Trump administration’s harsh immigration policies….

Credit: 148th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office

148th Fighter Wing to Deploy to Washington D.C.

There are about 850 troops and airmen from both the Minnesota National Guard and the 148th fighter wing will be in D.C on Wednesday.

January 18, 2021

Reece Lindquist,

DULUTH, Minn. – Members of the Minnesota National Guard, and personnel in the 148th Fighter Wing are being deployed to Washington D.C. in support of the 59th Presidential Inauguration. There are about 850 troops and airmen from both the Minnesota National Guard and the 148th fighter wing will be in D.C on Wednesday. They will be providing communications, security…

FBI Vetting Guard Troops in DC Amid Fears of Insider Attack

January 18, 2021

The Associated Press,

(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. defense officials say they are worried about an insider attack or other threat from service members involved in securing President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. That concern is prompting the FBI to vet all 25,000 National Guard troops coming into Washington for the event. The massive undertaking reflects the extraordinary security concerns that have…

Minneapolis Council To Try Again With Plan To Replace Police

January 17, 2021

Dan Hanger,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Some Minneapolis City Council members are preparing a new plan that seeks to replace the city’s police department in the wake of George Floyd’s death. Phillipe Cunningham, Steve Fletcher and Jeremy Schroeder are working on a proposal to create a new public safety department that removes the police department as a standalone department from the city charter….

Gov. Walz, Law Enforcement Prepare for Potential Threats on Inauguration Day

January 15, 2021

CJ Baumgartner,

ST. PAUL, Minn.– Tensions continue to rise across the country as the Presidential Inauguration nears. Now some states are taking extra precautions to make sure their own capitol buildings are safe. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and other state leaders laid out some of their plans for next week as they try to protect the capitol and the surrounding area from…

Wisconsin GOP Official Who Made ‘War’ Post Resigns

January 15, 2021

The Associated Press,

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The chairman of the St. Croix County Republican Party, who had posted online that his members should “prepare for war,” stepped down on Friday. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that members of the St. Croix County Republican Party Executive Committee asked for John Kraft’s resignation. His post, made before the riot last week at the U.S. Capitol, garnered…

Officials: Extremist Threat to Minnesota Capitol Has Faded

January 15, 2021

The Associated Press,

(AP Photo/Steve Karnowski) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Authorities now believe there is no credible, immediate threat from extremists to Minnesota in the runup to President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington said Friday, but he said law enforcement agencies won’t be taking any chances. The FBI this week warned of potential attacks at state capitols following the insurrection at…

Minnesota Lawmakers Introduce Anti-Copper Mining Legislation

January 15, 2021

The Associated Press,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota lawmakers are ramping up efforts to prevent mining companies from gaining a foothold in Minnesota with legislation that aims to slow or ban copper-nickel mining in the state’s northeastern Iron Range. Legislation proposed by U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum and a companion state bill seeks to ban copper mining on federal lands in the Rainy River watershed….

Capitol Rioters Included Highly Trained Ex-Military and Cops

January 15, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — At least 21 current or former members of the U.S. military or law enforcement have been identified as being at or near last week’s Capitol riot, with more than a dozen others under investigation. That’s what an Associated Press review of public records and social media found. In many cases, those who stormed the Capitol appeared to…

Biden Unveiling $1.9T Plan to Stem Virus and Steady Economy

January 14, 2021

The Associated Press,

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden is unveiling a $1.9 trillion coronavirus plan to turn the tide on the pandemic, speeding up the vaccine rollout and providing financial help to individuals, states and local governments, and businesses struggling with the prolonged economic fallout. More than 385,000 people have died in the U.S. from COVID-19. Biden hopes his multipronged strategy…

Mcconnell Blocks Quick Trump Trial, Unsure How He’ll Vote

January 13, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is blocking a quick Senate trial of Donald Trump. But with the House voting on Wednesday to impeach Trump for a second time, McConnell isn’t ruling out he might eventually vote to convict him. A spokesman for McConnell says McConnell informed Democrats that he would block an effort by Senate Democratic leader…

Majority of House Members Vote for 2nd Impeachment of Trump

January 13, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) – A majority of the U.S. House has voted to impeach President Donald Trump for a second time, just a week after he encouraged loyalists to “fight like hell” against election results – a speech that was followed by a mob of his supporters storming the U.S. Capitol. The House vote on an article of impeachment for “incitement…

The Latest: House Begins Voting on 2nd Trump Impeachment

January 13, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) – Voting is underway in the House on impeaching President Donald Trump over the violent siege at the U.S. Capitol last week by a mob of his supporters. Lawmakers are voting Wednesday on impeaching Trump on a single charge, incitement of insurrection. If it passes, Trump would be the first president to be impeached twice. The impeachment proceedings…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Wednesday, January 13

January 13, 2021

Site Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 1,504 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota on Wednesday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 440,354 in the state. Health officials also reported 50 news deaths bringing the death total to 5,774 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 6,006,711 tests have been completed to date. There…

State of State: Evers Targets Broadband, Fixing Unemployment

January 13, 2021

The Associated Press,

(Amber Arnold/Wisconsin State Journal via AP) MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Tony Evers in his State of the State speech is calling on the Legislature to update Wisconsin’s antiquated unemployment payment system and spend nearly $200 million to expand broadband access. Those were both problem areas that the coronavirus pandemic laid bare last year. Evers pre-recorded the speech, which was…

Trump on Verge of 2nd Impeachment After Capitol Siege

January 13, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is on the verge of being impeached for a second time. He faces a single charge, “incitement of insurrection,” after telling a mob of loyalists to, as he put it, “fight like hell” against election results. The subsequent attack on the U.S. Capitol turned deadly and delayed finalizing Democrat Joe Biden’s election victory. While…

Superior Councilor Raises Ethical Concerns Over Marriage of Mayor Paine, Councilor Van Sickle

In a letter to City Attorney Frog Prell, Sutherland worried votes by Van Sickle could inappropriately benefit Mayor Paine.

January 13, 2021

Arman Rahman,

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Superior City Councilor Craig Sutherland is raising conflict-of-interest concerns with the City Attorney’s office over the recent marriage between Mayor Jim Paine and Councilor Jenny Van Sickle. Letter from Councilor Craig Sutherland to City Attorney Frog Prell “I strongly believe we need some guidance on what to do moving forward,” Councilor Sutherland said. In a letter to City…

Wis. Gov. Tony Evers Promises $200M for Broadband Access in State of the State Speech

After the pandemic was "unrelenting" in 2020 according to the Governor, he said to the people of Wisconsin "we aren't defeated."

January 12, 2021

Arman Rahman,

MADISON, Wis.- In his virtual State of the State address Tuesday, Gov. Tony Evers called on an increased focus on expanding broadband access statewide in the next biennial budget. After the pandemic was “unrelenting” in 2020 according to the Governor, he said to the people of Wisconsin “we aren’t defeated.” However he did highlight how, for distance learning, doctor tele-health…

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Wisconsin Authorizes State National Guard, Boards Up Capitol Building

January 12, 2021

KQDS Staff,

MADISON, Wis. – Windows of the Wisconsin Capitol are now boarded up as the FBI continues its warning to lawmakers around the country about the threat of armed protests and violence directed at government buildings this week and next week. There’s also been more capitol police in the area since Wednesday’s violence in Washington, D.C. The Wisconsin National Guard has also…

Gov. Walz Calls On National Guard To Handle Threats Of Violence At State Capitol

January 12, 2021

KQDS Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Gov. Tim Walz said Tuesday he will call up the Minnesota National Guard to deal with threats of violence at the state Capitol. The Guard will be called up for several days, he said, likely through President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. The official announcement will happen Wednesday. The FBI has warned that the Minnesota State…

Renee Van Nett Becomes Duluth’s First Indigenous Council President

January 12, 2021

Nachai Taylor,

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth City Council is making history by electing the first Indigenous woman to serve as council president. Councilor Renee Van Nett was unanimously elected during Monday’s meeting. She says this achievement shows young girls of color that anything is possible. “I didn’t believe that native people, women especially, belonged in society like this because I never…

Gov. Walz to Call National Guard to Assist With Threats of Violence at State Capitol

January 12, 2021

Site Staff,

(courtesy: Fox 9) ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Gov. Tim Walz said Tuesday he will call up the Minnesota National Guard to deal with threats of violence at the state Capitol. The Guard will be activated for days, he said. There will be a full announcement on Wednesday morning regarding the Guard activation. Walz said he spoke with Michigan Gov. Gretchen…

House Will Consider Trump Impeachment Wednesday

January 11, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats say the House will consider the impeachment of President Donald Trump on Wednesday, one week after an angry mob of his supporters invaded the Capitol. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told Democrats on a call Monday that members should plan to return to Washington on Tuesday evening to consider a House resolution calling on Vice President Mike…

Evers Estimates Public Won’t See Vaccine Until June

January 11, 2021

The Associated Press,

(Steve Apps/Wisconsin State Journal via AP, File) MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Members of the general public in Wisconsin likely won’t be vaccinated for the coronavirus until June, Gov. Tony Evers said in a letter made public Monday as he renewed his call for faster distribution of the vaccine from the federal government and state Republicans introduced a new response bill….

Walz Denounces Minnesota GOP Leaders for Hedging on Vote

January 11, 2021

The Associated Press,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz denounced Minnesota Republican leaders Monday for refusing to clearly state that the presidential election was free and fair. The Democratic governor also disclosed that state troopers had to take his crying 14-year-old son to safety last Wednesday during a protest dubbed “Storm the Capitol” at the state Capitol, which later shifted to the official…

Republicans Block Measure Calling for Quick Removal of Trump

January 11, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — A House resolution calling on Vice President Mike Pence to invoke constitutional authority to remove President Donald Trump from office was blocked Monday by Republicans. Trump would face a single charge — “incitement of insurrection” — over the riot at the U.S. Capitol, according to a draft of the articles obtained by The Associated Press. The four-page…

First Lady Issues Statement on Capitol Riot

Melania Trump says she's “disappointed and disheartened" by the deadly riot at the Capitol by supporters of her husband.

January 11, 2021

Reece Lindquist,

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) – Melania Trump says she’s “disappointed and disheartened” by the deadly riot at the Capitol by supporters of her husband. As she breaks her silence, she’s also lashing out at those she says have used the tragic event to spread “salacious gossip, unwarranted personal attacks and misleading accusations” about her. Her statement on the White House blog…

Small Crowd of Trump Supporters Gather at Minnesota Capitol

The rally comes as tensions are high following Wednesday’s storming of the U.S. Capitol by a mob of pro-Trump rioters.

January 9, 2021

Arman Rahman,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – State Patrol officers guarded the steps of the Minnesota Capitol on Saturday, as roughly 100 supporters of President Donald Trump gathered to protest the results of the 2020 election. The rally comes as tensions are high following Wednesday’s storming of the U.S. Capitol by a mob of pro-Trump rioters. Several people in Saturday’s crowd held…

Closed Wisconsin Capitol Deflates Security Concerns

January 8, 2021

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Security breaches at the U.S. Capitol and statehouses around the country haven’t led to any changes at the state Capitol building in Madison. Gov. Tony Evers closed the building in March to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Lawmakers have been allowed to continue working in the building and the public has been allowed inside to watch…

President Trump Won’t Attend Joe Biden’s Inauguration

January 8, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he won’t attend President-elect Joe Biden’s Inauguration on Jan. 20. He will be the first incumbent president since Andrew Johnson to skip his successor’s inauguration. In a Friday tweet Trump said, “To all of those who have asked, I will not be going to the Inauguration on January 20th.” To all of those…

The Latest: Pelosi Lowers Capitol Flags in Honor of Officer

January 8, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says those responsible for police officer Brian Sicknick’s death from the siege at the Capitol by a mob loyal to President Donald Trump “must be brought to justice.” Pelosi said Friday she was lowering flags at the Capitol in his honor. Sicknick died “after defending the Capitol complex and protecting those who serve and…

Candlelight Vigil Demonstration Held in Duluth after Capitol Riots

January 7, 2021

CJ Baumgartner,

DULUTH, Minn.– A candlelight vigil took place in front of the Federal Building in downtown Duluth tonight. Around 20 protesters got together after organizers put the event up on Facebook Wednesday night. The event was put together by the Northwoods Socialist Collective. Organizers with the event say that the event was put together on short notice and they are happy…