Political

Biden Certified as Winner of Pennsylvania Presidential Vote

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democrat Joe Biden was certified Tuesday as the winner of the presidential election in Pennsylvania, culminating three weeks of vote counting and a string of failed legal challenges by President Donald Trump. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf first disclosed in a tweet that the Department of State had certified the vote count for president and vice president….

Biden Set to Formally Introduce His National Security Team

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden is preparing to formally announce his national security team to the nation. Those being introduced during a Tuesday afternoon event are among Obama administration alumni whose roles in the upcoming administration signal Biden’s shift away from the Trump administration’s “America First” policies. The picks include former Secretary of State John Kerry to take…

In Wisconsin Recount, Trump Challenges Pile Up, Slow Tally

MILWAUKEE (AP) – A large contingent of observers supporting President Donald Trump are making their presence felt in Wisconsin’s partial election recount. Trump is paying $3 million for the recount in the state’s two biggest and most liberal counties in a long shot bid to erase Democrat Joe Biden’s more than 20,000-vote victory. The atmosphere inside the convention hall where…

Gov. Evers Calls Virus Meeting With GOP Leaders ‘Productive’

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Tony Evers and Republican legislative leaders say their meeting to discuss coronavirus relief measures were productive. The Friday meeting was Evers’ first with newly-elected Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu and his first since May with Assembly Speaker Robin Vos. It came on the same day that the state Department of Health Services reported 78 more…

Trump Objects to Counting Thousands of Wisconsin Ballots

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The recount of the presidential election in Wisconsin’s two most heavily Democratic counties have begun with President Donald Trump’s campaign seeking to discard tens of thousands of absentee ballots. Trump’s three objections attempting to discard the ballots were denied by the three-member Dane County Board of Canvassers, twice on bipartisan votes. Trump was expected to make…

Georgia Secretary of State to Certify Election for Biden

ATLANTA (AP) — A hand tally of the ballots cast in the presidential race has been completed. The results released Thursday by the secretary of state’s office affirm Democrat Joe Biden’s narrow lead over Republican President Donald Trump. The hand recount of about 5 million votes stemmed from an audit required by new state law and wasn’t in response to…

Duluth Airport Barred Pence After Trump Broke Virus Rules

MINNEAPOLIS – Duluth airport officials prohibited Donald Trump’s campaign from holding a rally with Vice President Mike Pence after the president flouted state coronavirus guidelines there three weeks earlier. The Duluth Airport Authority’s executive director told his board in an email, obtained by the Star Tribune, he rejected a Pence rally application for Oct. 26 because the Trump campaign had…

Trump Pays $3 Million for Recount of 2 Wisconsin Counties

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – President Donald Trump’s campaign has paid $3 million for a recount of two heavily Democratic Wisconsin counties, saying that they were the sight of the “worst irregularities.” That comes although no evidence of wrongdoing has been presented and state elections officials have said there was none. Trump paid for the recounts in Milwaukee and Dane counties…

Two Minnesota DFL Senators Form New Independent Caucus

ST. PAUL, Minn. – State Senator Thomas Bakk (Cook) and Senator David Tomassoni (Chisholm) announced on Wednesday that they will be leaving the Minnesota Senate DFL caucus to form a new Independent caucus. The two Senators say the new Independent caucus presents an opportunity to chair committees and makes sense to better serve their districts within the legislative framework. “People…

Gov. Walz Expected to Force Tighter COVID Restrictions on Sports, Dining, Gyms — Again

The Governor is expected to announce new restrictions on bars, restaurants, sports, gyms, and social gatherings Wednesday Evening.

ST. PAUL, Minn.- Governor Tim Walz is preparing to announce sweeping new COVID-19 restrictions during a statewide televised speech Wednesday night –as the amount of Minnesotans defying the rules he said, is hampering the state’s fight against the virus and pushing hospitals to the brink. According to a spokesperson with the Governor Tuesday, those new limits will involve bars, restaurants,…

Trump Faces Approaching Deadline for Recount in Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — President Donald Trump could file for a recount in Wisconsin as soon as Tuesday, once the final county submits its certification of the election results. All but Brown County, where Green Bay is located, had already turned in their official canvass reports ahead of Tuesday’s deadline. Based on those reports, there was minimal change to the…

Nurses Make Emotional Plea Backing Gov. Walz’s Frustration at Lack of ‘Social Compliance’ of COVID Guidelines

"I think it's obvious we're going to have to do more mitigation efforts," Gov. Walz said, as the state is expected to surpass 300,00 cases by Thanksgiving.

ST. PAUL, Minn.- A frustrated Minnesota Governor Tim Walz looked to nurses and doctors from around the state to illustrate how the COVID-19 surge is pushing them to their limits — in an effort to appeal to those who may not be following prevention guidelines. “What I recognize right now is that we’re in a place in this country where…

Biden Vows to Strengthen Economy Despite Exploding Pandemic

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Projected President-elect Joe Biden is acknowledging that the nation is in a “dark” place but says his administration will strengthen the vulnerable economy despite the exploding pandemic. Biden offered an optimistic assessment Monday of the next four years during a meeting with several business and labor leaders ahead of an afternoon economic address from his makeshift…

Wisconsin Supreme Court Considers Mask Mandate Challenge

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court is considering whether Gov. Tony Evers exceeded his authority by issuing a statewide mask mandate after his original public health emergency related to the pandemic had expired, a move that opponents said was illegal. The Supreme Court held virtual arguments on Monday and took the case under advisement. They likely won’t issue…

Trump to Deliver Remarks on Vaccine Friday Afternoon

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump who has remained mostly holed in the White House this week is set to deliver an update Friday on Operation Warp Speed, the multi-agency effort to get a coronavirus vaccine to market as speedily and safely as possible. Trump, who was briefed by advisers in the Oval Office earlier Friday, is set to deliver…

Biden Pleads ‘Wear a Mask’ to Fight Virus Threat

WASHINGTON (AP) Projected president-elect Joe Biden is imploring Americans to “wear a mask” to help fight the spread of the coronavirus — “no matter who you voted for.” He says, “We are Americans, and our country is under threat.” The Democrat said Monday the act could slow the death toll in the COVID-19 pandemic, which he noted could climb by…

Local Political Experts Weigh-In on Declared Biden Win, What Comes Next

Both experts say the high nationwide voter turnout and youth voter turnout were the biggest takeaways of this year's election. 

DULUTH, Minn.- Local political experts from universities in the Northland weighed in Saturday on what comes next for President-Elect Joe Biden, and for President Donald Trump. On President Trump’s next moves Dr. Cindy Rugeley of UMD, a featured political analyst on FOX 21, said the nation should allow him the chance to contest the outcome in court. “I think that…

President-Elect Biden, Vice President-Elect Harris Address Nation After Victory

Biden outlines plans to address COVID, Harris said while the first, she will not be the last female Vice President.

  WILMINGTON, Del.- After almost a week of ballot-counting, Democratic Joe Biden was declared the 46th President of the United States Saturday, winning the 2020 Election. He gave his first address as President-Elect Saturday night, speaking from Wilmington, Delaware. “The United States of America, ladies and gentlemen, there’s never, never been anything we’ve tried and not been able to do,” said…

Kamala Harris Makes History as First Black, South Asian Woman Elected Vice President

Kamala Harris is making history as the first Black woman elected vice president of the United States.

(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File) WASHINGTON (AP)- Kamala Harris is making history as the first Black woman elected vice president of the United States, shattering barriers that have kept men – almost all of them white – entrenched at the highest levels of American politics for more than two centuries. The 56-year-old California senator is also the first person of South…

Trump Not Conceding to Biden, Promising Legal Challenges

In recent weeks, Trump has alleged - without evidence - widespread fraud and misconduct in the election.

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump is not conceding to President-elect Joe Biden, promising unspecified legal challenges seeking to overturn the outcome of the race for the White House. Trump said in a statement that “our campaign will start prosecuting our case in court to ensure election laws are fully upheld and the rightful winner is seated.” Trump was at…

Joe Biden Elected 46th President, AP Declares

The Associated Press declared Democrat Joe Biden the winner of his native Pennsylvania at 11:25 a.m. EST.

WASHINGTON (A.P.) – Democrat Joe Biden has won Pennsylvania, surpassing the 270 electoral vote threshold to take the White House and become the 46th president of the United States. Biden also carried Arizona, Wisconsin and Michigan on his path to the presidency, flipping states that President Donald Trump won in 2016. Pennsylvania was a must-win state for Trump. The 77-year-old…

Auditors Respond to Vote Recording Errors Made Affecting the MN House District 6A Race

The race is between Incumbent, Democrat Julie Sandstede and Republican Robert Farnsworth.

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Louis County Auditors addressed members of the media Friday afternoon after they corrected several errors in Northland precincts affecting the Minnesota’s House District 6A Race. The race is between incumbent, Democrat Julie Sandstede and Republican Robert Farnsworth. The errors included in-person votes being uploaded twice in Hibbing, another with one candidate receiving 40 less votes in…

Biden Plans Friday Night Prime-Time Televised Address

WASHINGTON (AP) – Joe Biden’s campaign says he will give a speech during prime time Friday. The Democratic presidential candidate’s campaign announced that he would be making an address but did not say where or what he plans to say. Biden is on the cusp of winning the presidency as he opens up narrow leads over President Donald Trump in several critical backgrounds. The…

Al Roker to Take Time off Work to Battle Prostate Cancer

NEW YORK (AP) — Weatherman and morning TV co-host Al Roker has revealed that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and will be undergoing surgery to have his prostate removed. “It’s a good news-bad news kind of thing,” Roker said Friday on NBC’s “Today.” “Good news is we caught it early. Not great news is that it’s a little…

Biden Ahead in Georgia, Pennsylvania; Trump Attacks Process

(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrat Joe Biden has overtaken President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania and Georgia. The election hinges on the outcome of tight contests in those key battleground states. The new results Friday come as Trump is trying to undermine confidence in this week’s election. With his pathway to reelection appearing to shrink, Trump advanced unsupported accusations…

Duluth Police ‘Experiencing Impacts of COVID-19,’ But City Won’t Say Total Cases

DULUTH, Minn. – The city of Duluth would not confirm how many officers or staff members with the Duluth Police Department were off the beat Thursday with COVID-19 after a press release was sent out that said the department is “experiencing impacts of COVID-19.” “We respect our employees right to privacy and all disclosures are voluntary.  Therefore, we will not…

2020 Latest: Trump Set to Make Remarks From White House

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is set to make his first public appearance since the early morning hours after Election Day. The White House says Trump will deliver remarks at 6:30 p.m. Thursday from the press briefing room. It was unclear if he would take questions. Trump last appeared in public early Wednesday, when he falsely declared victory over Democrat…

Judges Dismiss Trump Claims in Georgia, Michigan

WASHINGTON (AP) – Judges in Georgia and Michigan have quickly dismissed Trump campaign lawsuits, undercutting a campaign legal strategy aimed at attacking the integrity of the voting process in states where the result could mean President Donald Trump’s defeat. The rulings came Thursday as Democrat Joe Biden inched closer to the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the White…

Michigan Judge Dismisses Trump Campaign Lawsuit

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (AP) – A Michigan judge has dismissed a lawsuit by President Donald Trump’s campaign in a dispute over whether Republican challengers had access to the handling of absentee ballots. Judge Cynthia Stephens noted that the lawsuit was filed late Wednesday afternoon, just hours before the last ballots were counted. She also said the defendant, Secretary of State…

Superior Votes “No” on Part-Time Mayor, City Administrator

SUPERIOR, Wis.– 71-percent of voters in Superior voted against the idea of making the mayor’s position part-time while adding a city administrator. Mayor Jim Paine tells us he’s pleased but not surprised with the results. He says residents deserve to elect their top leader and hold that person accountable, which he says would not necessarily be the case for an…

Voters React To Unknown Presidency Results

DULUTH, Minn.- Election day has come and gone, but results for the president has yet to be determined. Fox 21 caught up with some Northlanders to find out how they are feeling about the unknown presidency results. With ballots still being counted in a handful of states, some Northlanders say they are becoming anxious not knowing the results. “It looks…

This Presidential Elections Sees Increased Voter Turnout

Some precincts in the City of Duluth had 90% or higher voter turnout.

DULUTH, Minn. – This year’s presidential election broke barriers as many more people voted than usual. About 80% of registered voters in the City of Duluth cast ballots in this year’s election. That is a significantly larger turnout compared to the 2016 presidential race. Another big takeaway from this year’s election is some precincts in the City of Duluth had…

Trump Team Says It’s Suing to Stop Pennsylvania Vote Count

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – President Donald Trump’s campaign said it’s suing to temporarily stop the vote count in Pennsylvania, claiming a lack of “transparency.” Justin Clark, Trump’s deputy campaign manager, said in a statement Wednesday that the campaign is “suing to stop Democrat election officials from hiding the ballot counting and processing from our Republican poll observers.” Clark also said…

Trump Sues for Michigan Ballot Access, Asks Wis. Recount

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump campaign filed a lawsuit Wednesday in Michigan state court demanding access to locations where ballots are being counted in one of the undecided states that could determine whether President Donald Trump gets another four years in the White House. The campaign said it is calling for a temporary halt in the counting until it is…

What’s Next? UMD Political Science Professor Details Days Ahead in Election 2020

Dr. Cynthia Rugeley is the Associate Professor and Department Head of Political Science at UMD

DULUTH, Minn. – Many Americans woke up Wednesday morning wondering what comes next in the race for the White House. Ballots are still being counted in a handful of key states, including Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, and North Carolina among others. Dr. Cynthia Rugeley is the Associate Professor and Department Head of Political Science at UMD. She joined…

Trump, Biden in Close Race as Wisconsin Again in Spotlight

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — President Donald Trump and Joe Biden were locked in a tight race in Wisconsin as vote-counting stretched past midnight, and the nation’s eyes turned to the same Midwestern battlegrounds that decided the election four years ago. Trump and Biden were running close as counties around the state coped with a flood of absentee ballots prompted by…

Presidency Hinges on Tight Races in Battleground States

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump carried the prized battleground of Florida, then he and Democrat Joe Biden shifted their focus early Wednesday to three Northern industrial states — Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania — that could prove crucial in determining who wins the White House. A late burst of votes in Wisconsin from Milwaukee gave Biden a small lead, but…

Voter Turnout Unprecedented in City, County Clerks Say

St. Louis County Officials say more than 54,000 absentee ballots have come in this year, a huge jump from the roughly 16,000 in 2016.

DULUTH, Minn.- According to officials nearly 8,000 more residents in St. Louis County registered to vote this year than during the 2016 Presidential Election, and the City of Duluth also smashing records when it comes to absentee ballots and turnout. City and county officials told FOX 21 the influx of absentee ballots this year have been unprecedented. While that has…

Mcconnell Wins Reelection, but Control of Senate at Stake

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has won a seventh term in Kentucky. McConnell is the chief ally of President Donald Trump in Congress and the longest-serving Republican Senate leader in history. The 78-year-old McConnell defeated Democrat Amy McGrath. She’s a retired Marine combat pilot who challenged him as a political outsider. McConnell played up his…

Deputy Auditor: 7,953 New Registered Voters in St. Louis County for Election 2020

Phil Chapman, St. Louis County Deputy Auditor, Says a Record Amount of Absentee Ballots Have Been Received in 2020

DULUTH, Minn. – According to Phil Champan, St. Louis County Deputy Auditor, nearly 8,000 more residents in St. Louis County registered to vote in 2020 than during the 2016 presidential election. Chapman says polling places have been well equipped with personal protective equipment thanks to help from the Secretary of State’s Office in Minnesota. Chapman tells FOX 21 Local News…

Early Voting Shattered, Wisconsin Polls Open Amid Pandemic

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — After shattering early voting records, Wisconsin voters have a final chance Tuesday to cast ballots in schools, libraries, churches, and community buildings. The last opportunity to vote comes as coronavirus cases surge and political tensions are high in the battleground state. Both sides are closely watching absentee and in-person voting for any irregularities that could make…

2020 Election Day Voting Guide

Polls open Tuesday at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. Not sure if you are registered?: Minnesota – CLICK HERE Wisconsin – CLICK HERE Michigan – CLICK HERE Where do I vote?: Minnesota – CLICK HERE Wisconsin – CLICK HERE Michigan – CLICK HERE Help! I didn’t register in advance: You’re in luck! Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan allow same-day…

“Moms Demand Action” Group Promotes Voting; Supports Candidates Who Will Fight Gun Violence

DULUTH, Minn. — The organization “Moms Demand Action For Gun Sense in America,” which promotes gun violence prevention and gun safety, is getting the word out about voting in the Northland and beyond. The organization was formed nationally after the Sandy Hook school shooting in 2012. The group defines itself as nonpartisan and supports political candidates on either side of…

Wisconsin Braces for Election Day, Trump Plans Final Stop

(Angela Major/The Janesville Gazette via AP) MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin is bracing for an Election Day unlike any other, with record numbers of votes recorded before polls opened on Tuesday and President Donald Trump planning one last campaign stop as he tries to duplicate his 2016 victory. Voters said Monday they were nervous not only about Election Day but…

DFL Leaders Urge Early Voting at Enger Park

DULUTH, Minn.– Over 25,000 Duluthians have already voted early. With 600 casting ballots just yesterday, state and local officials on Saturday encouraged people to get out to the polls. DFL leaders and candidates met supporters at Enger Park Saturday morning to go over different ways to people can vote. They say with Tuesday so close, early voters should drop off…

Minnesota SOS: Too Late to Mail Ballots — but Not to Vote

If you still have an absentee ballot at home you must drop it off by hand to an election office or official drop box

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota’s secretary of state said Thursday it’s too late for voters to mail back their absentee ballots if they want to make sure their votes count after an appeals court ruling indicated that mail-in ballots arriving after Election Day are at risk of being invalidated. A three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled…