Political Archives - Page 34 of 66

Minnesota State Lawmaker Dies of Coronavirus Complications

December 20, 2020

Dan Hanger,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A state senator from St. Cloud has died of complications related to COVID-19. The Star Tribune reports 76-year-old Jerry Relph was the first Minnesota lawmaker to succumb to the virus. Relph was among a number of Republican legislators who contracted COVID-19 after contact with colleagues in mid-November. At the time, Rachel Aplikowski, the Senate GOP spokeswoman, said…

Vice President Pence Receives COVID-19 Vaccine

It's Still Unclear When President Trump Will Receive the Shot

December 18, 2020

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) – Vice President Mike Pence has received the coronavirus vaccine during a White House event aimed at convincing skeptical Americans that the vaccines are safe. Pence’s wife, Karen, and Surgeon General Jerome Adams also got the vaccine on Friday during the event that was televised. In remarks after his shot, Pence called the speed with which the vaccine…

Minnesota Legislature Passes Virus Aid for Businesses, Workers

The Bill Now Moves to the Governor's Desk for Final Approval

December 15, 2020

The Associated Press,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The Minnesota Legislature has voted to pass a package of coronavirus relief measures aimed at businesses and workers who took the biggest hit from a four-week “pause” ordered by Gov. Tim Walz last month. The Senate voted 62-4 to approve the bill and send it to the House, which was passed it 117-13 late Monday night and…

Duluth Council Amends Mayor Larson’s 2021 Tourism Tax Revenue Distribution

The Council's unanimous decision is the ultimate say beyond the Mayor's recommendations for the money allocations.

December 15, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- At their second to last meeting of the year Duluth City Council voted on, among other things, next year’s distribution of a smaller pot of Tourism Tax Revenue due to the effects of the pandemic. Last year, about $12 million in Tourism Tax — or Hotel, Motel, Food and Beverage Tax — Revenue was collected for Duluth tourism-related…

Trump Says Barr Resigning, Will Leave Before Christmas

December 14, 2020

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General William Barr, one of President Donald Trump’s staunchest allies, is resigning amid lingering tension with the president over the president’s baseless claims of election fraud and the investigation into President-elect Joe Biden’s son. Barr went to the White House on Monday, where Trump said he submitted his letter of resignation. Trump has publicly expressed his…

Biden Clears 270-Vote Mark as Electors Affirm His Victory

December 14, 2020

The Associated Press,

(courtesy: Facebook/Biden) WASHINGTON (AP) – The Electoral College has formally validated Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election. Biden cleared the 270-vote threshold on Monday after California’s electors cast their votes for the Democrat. When all of the states finish voting, Biden is expected to lead President Donald Trump 306-232. The Electoral College vote is normally a procedural step…

Minnesota Formally Casts Its 10 Electoral Votes for Biden

December 14, 2020

The Associated Press,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota’s electors on Monday formally cast the state’s 10 electoral votes for Democratic President-elect Joe Biden. It took under 25 minutes for the 10 electors to affirm Biden’s victory in Minnesota and just 40 minutes to complete all the paperwork and adjourn without incident. The 10 electors, all wearing masks, gathered at the Capitol in St. Paul…

Electors Meeting to Formally Choose Biden as Next President

December 14, 2020

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — Presidential electors are meeting across the United States to formally choose Joe Biden as the nation’s next president. Today is the day set by law for the meeting of the Electoral College. In reality, electors meet in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to cast their ballots. Wisconsin’s electors meet at noon Monday. The results…

Electors Meeting to Formally Choose Biden as Next President

December 14, 2020

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — Presidential electors are meeting across the United States to formally choose Joe Biden as the nation’s next president. Monday is the day set by law for the meeting of the Electoral College. In reality, electors meet in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to cast their ballots. The results will be sent to Washington and…

Duluth, St. Louis Co. Leaders ‘Dismayed’ by Rep. Stauber’s Backing of Lawsuit to Overturn Biden Win

December 13, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Elected leaders in Duluth and St. Louis County are calling out Republican Congressman Pete Stauber, who represents Minnesota’s 8th District, for his backing of a recent lawsuit to invalidate President-Elect Joe Biden’s wins in Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia and Pennsylvania. Letter to Congressman Stauber The lawsuit was thrown out by the U.S. Supreme Court Friday. Duluth Mayor Emily…

Supreme Court Rejects Republican Attack on Biden Victory

The Electoral College meets Monday to formally elect Biden as the next president.

December 11, 2020

Arman Rahman,

(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) WASHINGTON (AP) – The Supreme Court has rejected a lawsuit backed by President Donald Trump to overturn Joe Biden’s election victory, ending a desperate attempt to get legal issues rejected by state and federal judges before the nation’s highest court. Trump had called the lawsuit filed by Texas against Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin “the big…

Emmer, Stauber, Hagedorn Ask High Court to Void Biden Win

December 11, 2020

The Associated Press,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Republican U.S. Reps. Tom Emmer, Pete Stauber, and Jim Hagedorn of Minnesota have signed on to a last-gasp bid to get the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the presidential election. The three are among more than 100 House Republicans who joined an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Emmer’s name…

Wisconsin State Court Judge Rules Against Trump Lawsuit

December 11, 2020

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) –A judge in Wisconsin has ruled against President Donald Trump’s lawsuit seeking to overturn Democrat Joe Biden’s win in the state, another in a string of defeats in the president’s extraordinary attempts to undo his loss. Reserve Judge Stephen Simanek ruled following a virtual hearing on Friday. Trump’s federal lawsuit remains alive. Trump has been urging lower…

Judges Reject Suits Over Trump Losses in Arizona, Wisconsin

December 10, 2020

The Associated Press,

PHOENIX (AP) — A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit that sought to decertify Democrat President-elect Joe Biden’s win over Republican President Donald Trump in Arizona. Judge Diane Humetewa said the lawsuit’s allegations “are sorely wanting of relevant or reliable evidence” and that granting the relief it sought would disenfranchise millions of voters. The challenge alleged the state’s election systems have…

Biden Picks Former Obama Chief of Staff Mcdonough for VA

December 10, 2020

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden is nominating Denis McDonough, who was President Barack Obama’s White House chief of staff, as secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The sprawling agency has presented organizational challenges for both parties over the years. Biden is continuing to stockpile his incoming administration with prominent members of Obama’s team. Biden plans to make the…

Gov. Walz Calls Special Session to Pass COVID-19 Relief

December 9, 2020

Site Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced Wednesday that he will convene a special session of the Minnesota Legislature on Monday in order to provide COVID-19 relief in the state. Additionally, Gov. Walz says he intends to extend the COVID-19 peacetime emergency by another 30 days. “Minnesota’s small businesses and workers are bearing a large burden of the…

Trump Lawyer Rudy Giuliani Tests Positive for COVID

December 6, 2020

The Associated Press, ,

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Sunday his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani has tested positive for the coronavirus, making him the latest in Trump’s inner circle to contract the disease that is now surging across the U.S. The 76-year-old former New York mayor has traveled extensively to battleground states in recent days and weeks in an effort to help…

Duluthian Selected to Help Deck the White House Halls for the Holidays

Kynze Lundeen was one of 125 volunteers from across the country selected to help decorate.

December 4, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- Many Northlanders are probably busy decking the halls, getting last minute decorations on the tree and stringing lights outside. But can you imagine getting picked to help decorate the White House for the Holidays? One Duluthian did. Kynze Lundeen applied for the opportunity a few months ago while waiting at an airport in Texas. Weeks after applying, she…

Proctor Holds ‘Mayor For A Day’ Essay Contest For Students

December 4, 2020

Nachai Taylor,

PROCTOR, Minn. – Ever wondered what it would be like if kids ran local city governments? The City of Proctor is giving fourth through sixth graders a chance to compete in an essay contest to be mayor for a day. The idea is inspired by a similar contest held annually by the League of Minnesota Cities. Proctor students can write…

Top Legislative Leaders Express Optimism for Virus Aid Plan

December 4, 2020

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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The top four leaders in the Minnesota Legislature have expressed optimism that lawmakers can agree on a new coronavirus relief package in time for a Dec. 14 special session. But negotiations on what should go into the aid package are continuing. There appears to be general agreement helping businesses hit by the four-week partial closure ordered by…

The Latest: Fauci Says ‘Yes Right on the Spot’ to Biden

December 4, 2020

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WASHINGTON (AP) – Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s chief infectious disease expert, says there was never a question that he would accept President-elect Joe Biden’s offer to serve as his chief medical officer and adviser on the coronavirus pandemic. Fauci told NBC’s “Today” show on Friday, “I said yes right on the spot” after Biden asked him to serve during…

Wisconsin High Court Declines to Hear Trump Election Lawsuit

December 3, 2020

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(AP Photo/Alex Brandon) MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court has refused to hear President Donald Trump’s attempt to overturn his election loss to Democrat Joe Biden in the battleground state. The court on Thursday said the case must first wind its way through lower courts. Trump said in his filing with the Wisconsin Supreme Court that there would…

Wisconsin Senate Not Coming Back This Month for Virus Relief

December 2, 2020

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MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The incoming leader of Wisconsin Senate Republicans says the Senate will not take up any COVID-19 relief measures before January. Assembly Republicans have said they would vote on bills this month and Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has urged swift action before federal money runs out. Incoming Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu told The Associated Press in…

Wisconsin Governor Calls Trump Lawsuit an ‘Assault’

December 2, 2020

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MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Attorneys for Wisconsin’s governor are calling President Donald Trump’s attempt to overturn the state’s election results an “assault on democracy.” Democratic Gov. Tony Evers filed a response to Trump’s lawsuit with the Wisconsin Supreme Court late Tuesday. The state’s highest court is weighing Trump’s request to disqualify more than 221,000 ballots in Wisconsin’s two heaviest Democratic…

Barr: No Evidence of Fraud That’d Change Election Outcome

December 1, 2020

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General William Barr said Tuesday that the Justice Department has not uncovered evidence of widespread voter fraud and has seen nothing that would change the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. In an interview with The Associated Press, Barr said U.S. attorneys and FBI agents have been working diligently to follow up on specific complaints and…

Trump Files Lawsuit Challenging Wisconsin Election Results

December 1, 2020

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — President Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit in Wisconsin seeking to disqualify hundreds of thousands of ballots in a longshot attempt to overturn Democrat Joe Biden’s win in the battleground state he lost by nearly 20,700 votes. Trump filed the suit with the Wisconsin Supreme Court on Tuesday. It came a day after Democratic Gov. Tony…

Deficit Gone: Minnesota Projects $641m Budget Surplus Through June

December 1, 2020

Site Staff,

(AP Photo/Steve Karnowski) ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – So much for a giant deficit. Minnesota budget officials said Tuesday they expect a $641 million surplus between now and June, reversing their earlier prediction of a $2.4 billion shortfall from the May report. A $1.3 billion shortfall is likely for the two-year period that starts July 1, budget officials said. But that number is…

Caution Again Advised for Christmas; Vaccine on Horizon for Public in 2021 Gov. Walz Says

After a surge in cases over Thanksgiving, the Governor said guidance will likely remain for Christmas, and public access to the vaccine in 2021.

November 30, 2020

Arman Rahman,

ST. PAUL, Minn.- Governor Tim Walz and State Health leaders spoke out in a COVID-19 briefing Monday after a Thanksgiving weekend like no other. They stressed continued mitigation efforts by Minnesotans, with the horizon of a vaccine in the distance — in 2021. “Minnesotans did a pretty good job staying home, but there’s some data on movement especially the airport…

Arizona Certifies Biden’s Victory Over Trump

November 30, 2020

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — Arizona officials have certified Joe Biden’s narrow victory over President Donald Trump in the state. Democratic Secretary of State Katie Hobbs and Republican Gov. Doug Ducey stood up for the integrity of the election even as lawyers for Trump were across town Monday arguing without evidence to nine Republican lawmakers that the election was marred by fraud….

Congress Returns With Virus Aid, Federal Funding Unresolved

November 30, 2020

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is returning to Washington for one last attempt at deal-making this year. The only absolute must-do is preventing a government shutdown on Dec. 11. But lawmakers are also debating whether to deliver another round of coronavirus relief before President Donald Trump leaves office. A virus bill would provide funding for vaccines and testing, for reopening schools,…

Casperson, ‘Titan’ of the Upper Peninsula, Dies at Age 61

November 30, 2020

The Associated Press,

(courtesy: Michigan Republicans) ESCANABA, Mich. (AP) — Tom Casperson, a former state lawmaker from the Upper Peninsula who cast a key vote to expand Medicaid and built alliances with labor unions, has died at age 61. Casperson, a Republican from Escanaba, died Sunday. He had been stricken with cancer. Fellow Republicans in the Senate called Casperson a “titan of the…

Completed Wisconsin Recount Confirms Biden’s Win Over Trump

November 29, 2020

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin finished a recount of its presidential results on Sunday, confirming Democrat Joe Biden’s victory over President Donald Trump in the key battleground state. Trump vowed to challenge the outcome in court even before the recount concluded. Dane County was the second and last county to finish its recount, reporting a 45-vote gain for Trump. Milwaukee…

Appeals Court Rejects Trump Challenge of Pennsylvania Race

November 27, 2020

The Associated Press,

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A federal appeals court in Philadelphia has rejected President Donald Trump’s latest effort to challenge the election results in a case expected to reach the U.S. Supreme Court if Trump appeals. The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals echoed a string of other courts in finding his campaign offered no evidence of any election fraud. Instead, the…

Trump Says He’ll Leave if Electoral College Seats Biden

November 27, 2020

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump said Thursday that he will leave the White House if the Electoral College formalizes President-Elect Joe Biden’s victory even as he insisted such a decision would be a “mistake.” Trump spent his Thanksgiving renewing claims that “massive fraud” and crooked officials in battleground states caused his election defeat even though there is no evidence…

Trump Pardons Flynn, Taking Direct Aim at Russia Probe

November 25, 2020

The Associated Press,

National security adviser General Michael Flynn delivers a statement daily briefing at the White House in Washington U.S., February 1, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has pardoned former national security adviser Michael Flynn, taking direct aim in the final days of his administration at a Russia investigation that he has long insisted was motivated by political…

State Board Certifies Joe Biden as Winner in Minnesota

November 24, 2020

The Associated Press,

(courtesy: Facebook/Biden) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota’s state canvassing board has unanimously certified the state’s election results. It’s an ordinarily routine task that drew closer attention due to President Donald Trump’s efforts to delay it in key states. The board agreed 5-0 that Joe Biden defeated Trump in Minnesota by just over 233,000 votes or about 7 percentage points. Biden therefore…

Biden Certified as Winner of Pennsylvania Presidential Vote

November 24, 2020

The Associated Press,

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

November 24, 2020

The Associated Press,

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

November 22, 2020

Dan Hanger,

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’

November 20, 2020

The Associated Press,

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

November 20, 2020

The Associated Press,

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

November 20, 2020

The Associated Press,

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

November 19, 2020

The Associated Press,

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

November 18, 2020

The Associated Press,

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

November 18, 2020

Site Staff,

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.

November 17, 2020

Arman Rahman,

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

November 17, 2020

The Associated Press,

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.

November 17, 2020

Arman Rahman,

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

November 16, 2020

The Associated Press,

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

November 16, 2020

The Associated Press,

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…