Political Archives - Page 36 of 61

Republicans Sue to Stop Extension of Wisconsin Stay-at-Home Order

April 21, 2020

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republican leaders of the Wisconsin Legislature asked the Conservative-controlled Wisconsin Supreme Court on Tuesday to block an order from Gov. Tony Evers’ administration extending a stay-at-home order until May 26. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald asked the Supreme Court to take the case directly, a move that would skip lower courts…

Schumer: Deal Reached on Major Parts of $500B Virus Aid

April 21, 2020

The Associated Press,

AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer says an agreement has been reached on major elements of a nearly $500 billion coronavirus aid package for small businesses, as well as additional help for hospitals and virus testing. Schumer said post-midnight talks among Democratic and Republican leaders, along with Trump administration officials, including White House Chief…

Officials Link 7 Wisconsin Virus Cases to In-Person Voting

Health Officials say There are no Signs yet of a Surge in Cases as Some Feared

April 21, 2020

The Associated Press,

(Angela Major/The Janesville Gazette via AP) MILWAUKEE (AP) — Officials have identified seven people who appear to have contracted the coronavirus through activities related to the April 7 election in Wisconsin, Milwaukee’s health commissioner said. Commissioner Jeanette Kowalik said six of the cases involve Milwaukee voters and one is a Milwaukee poll worker, the Journal Sentinel reported. Officials hope to have additional…

President Trump Tweets: “LIBERATE MINNESOTA!”

April 17, 2020

The Associated Press,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — President Donald Trump has tweeted his support for a protest by conservatives Friday outside Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s official residence in St Paul. The protest is being organized under the theme “Liberate Minnesota” by grassroots Trump supporters who oppose Walz’s stay-at-home order. It’s one of several taking part across the country this week as conservatives push back against economic…

Over 33 Thousand Minnesota Small Businesses Approved for Forgivable Loans

Sen. Tina Smith says more work has to be done to address the funding shortage for loans.

April 15, 2020

Arman Rahman,

MINNESOTA, As stimulus checks begin rolling out, additional help through forgivable loans have been awarded to over 33,819 Minnesota small businesses as of Monday. The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) grants loans to small businesses as part of the Stimulus Package. The loans are forgivable to businesses who retain or rehire their workers. Senator Tina Smith (D), who helped pass the…

2020 Wisconsin Spring Election Results

April 14, 2020

Site Staff,

Categories: News, News – Latest News, Political, Wisconsin

Superior City Council Election Results

Nicholas Ledin, Warren Bender and Brent Fennessey won the election for Superior City Council.

April 13, 2020

Site Staff,

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The results are in from last week’s Superior City Council races. In District 1, Nicholas Ledin defeated Kalee Hermanson 383-342. Ledin will replace Dan Olson, who is leaving his seat. In District 3, incumbent Warren Bender defeated Kelly Schoen 344-205, while in District 5, incumbent Brent Fennessey defeated Amanda Foster 469-369. You can view a full list…

Biden Defeats Sanders as Wisconsin Releases Election Results

Joe Biden has defeated Bernie Sanders in Wisconsin’s presidential primary, which was held last week during the coronavirus pandemic.

April 13, 2020

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Joe Biden has defeated Bernie Sanders in Wisconsin’s presidential primary, which was held last week during the coronavirus pandemic. Biden’s victory became academic after Sanders dropped out last week, one day after Wisconsin held in-person voting despite widespread concern over the health risks. Republican legislative leaders refused to delay the election, and the party won a…

With Results due in Wisconsin Election, Voters File Lawsuit

April 13, 2020

The Associated Press,

(Angela Major/The Janesville Gazette via AP) MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Municipal clerks across Wisconsin on Monday were set to start tallying votes from last week’s chaotic presidential primary, a count that was delayed for several days by the legal struggle over whether to postpone the election due to the coronavirus pandemic. Thousands of voters congregated for hours in long lines on Tuesday,…

Senators Want Missing Ballots Investigated

April 10, 2020

The Associated Press,

MILWAUKEE (AP) – U.S. Sens. Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson, in rare bipartisan unity, are calling on the U.S. Postal Service to investigate what happened to missing absentee ballots in Wisconsin. In a letter to the Inspector General, the senators cite numerous accounts from the state that the Postal Service failed to fulfill its critical mission of getting all those…

Johnson Resigns as Duluth City Attorney, Calls Investigative Report Against Him ‘Inconclusive at Best’

April 9, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – After nearly 12 years as the city of Duluth’s top attorney, Gunnar Johnson has decided to resign amid complaints filed against him by employees in the attorney’s office. Johnson was placed on administrative suspension two months ago. FOX 21’s Dan Hanger takes a look at the findings from an investigative report into those complaints, what Johnson is…

Sanders Drops 2020 Bid, Leaving Biden as Likely Nominee

April 8, 2020

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Bernie Sanders, who saw his once-strong lead in the Democratic primary evaporate as the party’s establishment lined swiftly up behind rival Joe Biden, ended his presidential bid on Wednesday, an acknowledgment that the former vice president is too far ahead for him to have any reasonable hope of catching up. The Vermont senator’s announcement makes Biden…

Absentee Ballots Are Up For Wisconsin Primary Elections

April 7, 2020

Nachai Taylor,

SUPERIOR, Wis. – While some folks are still going to the polls, more voters are taking advantage of sending their vote through the mail as absentee ballots are up. Government officials were pushing for more people to mail in their vote. To date, more than 4,000 voters requested absentee ballots. So far, about 3,000 of those ballots have already been…

President Trump Approves Minnesota Disaster Declaration

April 7, 2020

Site Staff,

(FOX 9) – President Donald Trump has approved a disaster declaration in Minnesota due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This declaration allows for federal funding to aid the state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain nonprofits in areas impacted by coronavirus. Earlier this week, the Minnesota Congressional Delegation urged Trump’s administration to approve Minnesota’s request for a major declaration. “The coronavirus pandemic…

Trump Removes Watchdog Tapped for $2T Virus Rescue Oversight

April 7, 2020

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has removed the inspector general tapped to chair a special oversight board for the $2.2 trillion economic relief package on the coronavirus, the latest in a series of steps Trump has taken to confront government watchdogs tasked with oversight of the executive branch. In the past four days, Trump has fired one inspector general tied…

Wisconsin Voting Underway Despite Virus

April 7, 2020

The Associated Press,

(Angela Major/The Janesville Gazette via AP) MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Elections Commission reported Tuesday morning that it had received no reports of polling places being unable to open as planned. There had already been plans to consolidate polling places, especially in larger cities, due to poll workers refusing to show up due to fears of the coronavirus. Milwaukee reduced…

Wisconsin Voting Underway Despite Virus

April 7, 2020

Site Staff, The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin is asking hundreds of thousands of voters to ignore a stay-at-home order in the midst of a pandemic to participate in Tuesday’s presidential primary election, becoming a test case for dozens of states struggling to balance public health concerns with a core pillar of democracy. The National Guard is helping to run voting sites across the state…

Superior Mayor’s Longtime Chief of Staff to Retire

Rani Gill has served six different Superior mayors.

April 6, 2020

Arman Rahman,

SUPERIOR, The Mayor of Superior’s right-hand-woman, Rani Gill, is retiring after 30 years serving the city as the mayor’s Chief of Staff. Gill has served six different Superior mayors, and was actually the first official “Chief of Staff,” according to Mayor Jim Paine. “She’s an institution in this city,” Paine said, “she has served a number of mayors, a lot…

U.S., Wisconsin Supreme Courts Rule Against Evers; Election Day Stands

The Governor's attempts to change or postpone the election have been blocked on all fronts.

April 6, 2020

Arman Rahman,

SUPERIOR, Wis.- After going through three changes in the span of one day, Wisconsin Elections will carry on as normal. Rulings from both the Wisconsin and U.S. Supreme Courts now make Wisconsin the only state with an election scheduled in April that is proceeding as planned. Governor Tony Evers signed an Executive Order early Monday postponing the election to June….

Top Wisconsin Court Blocks Governor’s Move to Delay Election

April 6, 2020

The Associated Press,

(AP Photo) MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Monday ruled that Democratic Gov. Tony Evers could not postpone the state’s presidential primary, striking down his order to move the election to June over coronavirus outbreak fears. The court ruled 4-2 that Evers lacked the authority to move the election on his own — meaning the election will…

Walz Expects to Extend Stay-at-Home Through End of April

April 6, 2020

The Associated Press,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota has one of the lowest COVID-19 infection rates in the country but the state must not get complacent, Gov. Walz said Monday, as he prepared to extend a stay-at-home order that he imposed nearly two weeks ago. “Minnesota is 17 per 100,000 right now,” Walz told reporters of the state’s infection rate. “It puts us best…

Gov. Tony Evers Suspends In-Person Voting for Wisconsin Spring Election

April 6, 2020

Site Staff,

(Steve Apps/Wisconsin State Journal via AP, File) UPDATE: MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Monday ruled that Democratic Gov. Tony Evers could not postpone the state’s presidential primary, striking down his order to move the election to June over coronavirus outbreak fears. The court ruled 4-2 that Evers lacked the authority to move the election on his…

Wisconsin Moves Ahead With Election, Awaits Supreme Court

April 6, 2020

The Associated Press,

(Steve Apps/Wisconsin State Journal via AP, File) MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin moved forward Monday with plans to hold in-person voting for its presidential primary on Tuesday amid the coronavirus pandemic with help from National Guard members staffing the polls, even as the U.S. Supreme Court weighs whether to intervene. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who had originally pushed for the election to…

Superior Introducing Curbside Voting Along with Other Changes For Tuesday’s Election

As of Sunday evening, the deadline for absentee ballots in Wisconsin has been moved until next Monday for people who have already requested the ballots. Superior sent out an unprecedented 4,200 absentee ballots for Tuesday's election.

April 5, 2020

Katharine Huntley,

SUPERIOR, Wis. – While much of the Northland is shut down in some way because of the coronavirus outbreak, it is not stopping Tuesday’s spring election in Superior. As of Sunday evening, the deadline for absentee ballots in Wisconsin has been moved until next Monday for people who have already requested the ballots. This comes along with several other measures…

Wisconsin Primaries Continue as Normal, Superior Prepares for Tuesday

The Governor's request to make the election all-mail was shot down by state Republicans.

April 4, 2020

Arman Rahman,

SUPERIOR, Wis.- A special session of the Wisconsin Legislature was held Saturday, to discuss making the Wisconsin Primary Elections all-mail, and extending absentee voting until late May. The meeting came to a halt when state Republicans shot down the request citing concerns for election security, and adjourned the meeting immediately. “Folks let me be clear this is not a Republican…

3M Fires Back at Trump Over Order to Produce More Face Masks

April 3, 2020

The Associated Press,

Manufacturing giant 3M pushed back Friday against criticism from President Donald Trump overproduction of face masks that are badly needed by American health care workers. 3M said the administration asked it to stop exporting medical-grade masks to Canada and Latin America, which the company said raises “significant humanitarian implications” and will backfire by causing other countries to retaliate against the…

Memo: Some in US may not get Stimulus Checks until August

April 2, 2020

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government expects to begin making payments to millions of Americans under the new stimulus law in mid-April, but some people without direct deposit information may not get checks until mid-August or later, according to a memo obtained Thursday by The Associated Press. The document from the House Ways and Means Committee says the IRS will…

Democrats Delay Nominating Convention Amid Virus Concerns

April 2, 2020

The Associated Press,

(AP) – Democrats announced Thursday that they were postponing their presidential nominating convention until August, an unprecedented move that shows how the coronavirus is reshaping the battle for the White House. The party had hoped that a mid-July convention would give them more time to rally behind a nominee and unify against President Donald Trump. But concerns that large crowds will spread the…

Gov. Whitmer: Michigan Schools Closed for Academic Year

April 2, 2020

The Associated Press,

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — More than 1.5 million Michigan students will not return to K-12 school buildings the rest of the academic year due to the coronavirus pandemic and instead will learn remotely, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered Thursday. All public and private schools are more than halfway through a four-week shutdown ordered by Whitmer to combat the outbreak. She said…

Virtual Medical Appointments Spike Amid Pandemic

Both St. Luke's Hospital and Essentia Health offer this type of virtual service.s

April 1, 2020

Nachai Taylor,

DULUTH, Minn – Virtual medical appointments are now on the rise as more healthcare facilities are encouraging patients to use the new type of service. St. Luke’s telehealth offers patients a virtual exam room experience. Patients can have a video conference with their doctor to talk about their medical issues. Typical telehealth appointments can be used for annual wellness or…

Walz to Deliver Video State of the State Speech Sunday

April 1, 2020

The Associated Press,

(Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via AP) ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz has announced that he’ll deliver his postponed State of the State address on Sunday evening at 7 p.m., and he says he’s looking forward to speaking directly to Minnesotans during this uncertain time. The governor said Wednesday that he’ll deliver the speech alone with a remote camera…

Live: Coronavirus Task Force Holds Briefing

April 1, 2020

Site Staff,

Live: Coronavirus Task Force Briefing Posted by Fox 21 News on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 Categories: News, News – Latest News, Political, US & World News

Some Minnesota Families Won’t Get $500 Stimulus Checks for Children

March 31, 2020

Site Staff,

(FOX 9) – Minnesota families will not get $500 stimulus checks for dependent children over the age of 16, something that U.S. Rep. Angie Craig says is “a real problem” that Congress needs to address. Last week’s $2.2 trillion coronavirus package will deliver $1,200 to most adults and $500 per child under the age of 17. But, it excludes older dependent children, including college students, from…

House Passes $2.2T Rescue Package, Rushes it to Trump

March 27, 2020

The Associated Press,

(House Television via AP) WASHINGTON (AP) – The House has approved a $2.2 trillion rescue package, rushing it to President Donald Trump for his signature. The measure tosses a life preserver to a U.S. economy and health care system left flailing by the coronavirus pandemic. The House approved the sweeping measure by a voice vote, as strong majorities of both…

Minnesota House Passes $330 Million COVID-19 Aid Bill

March 26, 2020

The Associated Press,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Legislature was poised Thursday to pass a $330 million financial aid package to help soften the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic that has sickened more than 300 people and claimed two lives in the state. The Minnesota Department of Health said Thursday that the state’s second COVID-19 death was a patient from Ramsey County…

Evers Administration Closes State Capitol

March 26, 2020

The Associated Press,

MILWAUKEE (AP) – Gov. Tony Evers has decided to close the state Capitol building in Madison as the coronavirus crisis deepens in Wisconsin. The Department of Administration closed the building at 8 a.m. Thursday morning. The building will remain closed indefinitely, although DOA officials said they would reopen it if the state Legislature or the state Supreme Court decides to…

Senate Unanimously Passes Massive Coronavirus Aid Plan

March 26, 2020

The Associated Press,

(Senate Television via AP) WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate passed an unparalleled $2.2 trillion economic rescue package steering aid to businesses, workers and health care systems engulfed by the coronavirus pandemic. The unanimous vote Wednesday came despite misgivings on both sides about whether it goes too far or not far enough and capped days of difficult negotiations as Washington confronted…

Minnesota Lawmakers Will Reconvene to Bolster COVID-19 Fight

March 25, 2020

The Associated Press,

(AP Photo/Steve Karnowski) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota lawmakers are preparing to return to the Capitol to beef up the state’s fight against COVID-19 and help residents cope with the economic disruptions. House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka notified legislators late Tuesday they will reconvene Thursday. The House meets at noon while the Senate gathers at 2…

White House, Congress Agree on $2 Trillion Virus Rescue Bill

March 25, 2020

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House and Senate leaders of both parties announced an agreement early Wednesday on an unprecedented $2 trillion emergency bill to rush sweeping aid to businesses, workers and a health care system slammed by the coronavirus pandemic. Top White House aide Eric Ueland announced the agreement in a Capitol hallway shortly after midnight early Wednesday, capping…

President Trump Says He Intends to Reopen Country in Weeks, Not Months

March 23, 2020

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Monday that he wants to reopen the country for business in weeks, not months, and he claimed, without evidence, that continued closures could result in more deaths than the coronavirus pandemic. “We can’t have the cure be worse than the problem,” Trump told reporters at a press briefing, echoing a midnight Sunday tweet….

Sen. Rand Paul Kept Working for Six Days after Virus Test

March 23, 2020

The Associated Press,

(AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) WASHINGTON (AP) — Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul was tested a week ago for the novel coronavirus, but continued working at the Capitol because he “felt that it was highly unlikely” he was sick since he had no symptoms of the illness, he said Monday. Paul also said he did not have direct contact with anyone…

Klobuchar’s Husband Tests Positive for Virus

March 23, 2020

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON — Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar says husband John Bessler has tested positive for the coronavirus. The former presidential candidate said Bessler began feeling sick when she was in Minnesota and he was in Washington. She said he immediately quarantined himself. She said he sought a test and chest X-ray after he began coughing up blood, and was checked into…

Income Tax Filing Deadline Moved to July 15 From April 15

March 20, 2020

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) – Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says the Trump administration has decided to push the income tax filing date to July 15 from April 15. Mnuchin announced the decision in a tweet Friday saying that at President Donald Trump’s direction “we are moving Tax Day from April 15 to July 15. All taxpayers and businesses will have this additional…

Mnuchin: White House Will Send Checks to Most Americans Within Three Weeks

March 19, 2020

Site Staff, The Associated Press,

(AP/Fox 9) – Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Thursday the White House is working to send $1,000 checks to most adult Americans within three weeks to offset the coronavirus pandemic, which has forced life in the U.S. to come to a grinding halt. “We’re going to get out of this quickly,” Mnuchin told FOX Business’, Maria Bartiromo. The cash…

First Case of Coronavirus Confirmed in Minnesota House of Representatives

March 18, 2020

Site Staff,

(AP Photo/Steve Karnowski) ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – The first case of the COVID-19 coronavirus has been confirmed at the Minnesota House of Representatives, officials say. Right now, it’s not clear if the case is among a lawmaker or a staffer and officials say, due to privacy laws, they won’t release further information about the individual. “It is possible that…

Emergency Steps Eyed to Help Wisconsin Deal With Outbreak

March 18, 2020

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Tony Evers was expected to issue an executive order Wednesday to speed up unemployment benefits for workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as he meets with legislative leaders to discuss a more far-reaching emergency plan to help all of those struggling due to the outbreak. The coronavirus pandemic has shuttered schools, colleges, universities, bars, restaurants…

US Tells Older People to Stay Home, all Ages to Avoid Crowds

March 16, 2020

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) – The White House on Monday urged all older Americans to stay home and everyone to avoid crowds and eating out at restaurants as part of sweeping guidelines meant to combat an expected surge of coronavirus cases. President Donald Trump and the coronavirus task force released the guidelines as the U.S. government moved to try to blunt the…

Live at 2:00 p.m.: Trump Preparing to Invoke Emergency Powers Over Coronavirus

March 13, 2020

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump is preparing to invoke emergency powers as the country struggles to contain the coronavirus outbreak. This is according to two people familiar with the planning who spoke on condition of anonymity. It is still unclear precisely what mechanism Trump would use to free up additional federal resources for testing and treatment as well as…

AFSCME to City of Duluth: ‘Respect Public Workers,’ Restore 2 Maintenance Positions

March 12, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. — The city of Duluth’s largest union – AFSCME Council 5 — is calling on Mayor Emily Larson’s administration to reverse its decision to cut two maintenance worker positions. And the union is asking for residents of Duluth for support because it says the city is not respecting public workers and access to critical services that the community…

Walz Proposes Banking Most of Surplus Over COVID-19 Fears

March 12, 2020

The Associated Press,

(Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via AP) ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Gov. Tim Walz has proposed banking $1.2 billion of Minnesota’s projected $1.5 billion budget surplus because of the uncertainties over how the new coronavirus will affect the economy. The Democratic governor’s supplemental budget would add only $256 million in new spending on programs to the budget the Legislature approved last…