Political

House Approve Rules for Trump Impeachment Probe

Thursday's Roll Call was 232-196

(AP Photo/Susan Walsh) WASHINGTON (AP) – A sharply divided House has approved the rules for its impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump. Thursday’s near party-line 232-196 roll call was the chamber’s first formal vote on a process that’s likely to take months, possibly stretching into the early weeks of the 2020 election year. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says a vote…

Trump Says Turkey Calls Cease-Fire ‘Permanent’

Trump Says Nearly All U.S. Troops Will be Leaving Syria

(AP PHOTO) WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump says Turkey has informed the U.S. it will make “permanent” a five-day cease-fire in Syria. In response, he says he’s directing the lifting of economic sanctions on Turkey. Claiming success at the U.S.-brokered effort, Trump said Wednesday, “this was an outcome created by us.” The cease-fire required Kurdish forces formerly allied with…

Pence Making 2 Wisconsin Stops to Tout Trade Deal

(Bethany Baker/The Billings Gazette via AP) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Vice President Mike Pence is making a pair of stops in the presidential battleground state of Wisconsin to tout a pending trade agreement with Mexico and Canada. The Pence stops Wednesday in Marinette and Pleasant Prairie come after he traveled to Pennsylvania, another battleground state, on Monday. Pence was scheduled…

Wisconsin Special Election for Congress Will be May 12

The Primary Will be February 18

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Gov. Tony Evers is setting May 12 as the date of a special election for northern Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District to replace former Republican Rep. Sean Duffy. The primary will be Feb. 18. Evers opted against setting the general election on April 7, the same day as a state Supreme Court election. Democrats feared holding the…

Klobuchar Raised $1.1M for Presidential Campaign Post-Debate

Wednesday was the Campaigns Best Day of Online Fundraising

WASHINGTON (AP) – Sen. Amy Klobuchar says she raised $1.1 million for her 2020 presidential campaign in the 24 hours following this week’s Democratic debate. The moderate Democratic Minnesota senator was among the top critics of Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Tuesday, criticizing Warren’s health care plan as a “pipe dream.” She also ripped President Donald Trump. Campaign manager Justin…

US Rep. Elijah Cummings Has Died

Cummings Was 68

BALTIMORE (AP) – Maryland Rep. Elijah E. Cummings died early Thursday at Johns Hopkins Hospital due to complications from longstanding health challenges, his congressional office said. He was 68. A sharecropper’s son, Cummings became the powerful chairman of a U.S. House committee that investigated President Donald Trump, and was a formidable orator who passionately advocated for the poor in his…

Pence Cancels Wisconsin Visit to Lead Turkey Delegation

Pence Was Scheduled to Visit Uline on Thursday

(AP) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Vice President Mike Pence has canceled his visit to Wisconsin because he’s been dispatched to Turkey to try and reach a ceasefire deal. Pence was scheduled to visit Uline in Pleasant Prairie on Thursday to advocate for passing President Donald Trump’s trade agreement with Mexico and Canada. Instead, Pence will lead a delegation to Turkey…

Democratic Rep. Pocan Says Impeachment Vote Coming Soon

Pocan Has Been Outspoken in Support of Impeachment

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Democratic U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan says he expects the House to vote on articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump by the end of the calendar year. Pocan said Monday he believes Trump has committed an impeachable offense, but he can’t commit on whether he would vote to impeach until he sees the actual article of…

Wausau School Board President Running for Congress

Zunker is Running for the 7th Congressional District Seat

(Photo: Tricia Zunker campaign) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The president of the Wausau School Board who is also a justice on the Ho-Chunk Nation Supreme Court is running for Congress as a Democrat. Tricia Zunker is launching her campaign Monday. She would become the first Native American member of Congress from Wisconsin should she win. Zunker tells Wisconsin Public Radio…

Prince Estate Slams Trump Use of ‘Purple Rain’

They say the Campaign Confirmed a Year Ago it Would not use Prince's Music

(AP Photo/Chris O’Meara, File) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The estate of musical legend Prince is objecting to President Donald Trump’s use of a Prince song before a campaign rally in Minneapolis Thursday night. The Trump campaign played Prince’s “Purple Rain” as the audience at the rally waited for the president to begin speaking. Prince’s estate released a statement after the rally…

Third Candidate Enters 8th Congressional District Race

HIBBING, Minn. – Another Democratic candidate has entered the race for Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District. Iron Range native Marjorie (Marje) Holmstrom-Sabo announced on Tuesday that she is running to challenge GOP Rep. Pete Stauber. According to a recent press release her background includes careers in software engineering and education. Diabetes activist Quinn Nystrom, 33, entered the congresstional race on Thursday…

 Trump Campaign Says Minneapolis Rally is Set

The Company Says it was Prepared to Sue

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign says his Minneapolis rally will go ahead as scheduled Thursday after a brief dispute over security costs. The campaign says the city of Minneapolis presented the operator of Target Center a $530,000 bill for security costs, and the arena operator had sought help from the campaign. The campaign says it was prepared…

Wisconsin’s Growing Hemp Industry to Get Boost Under Bill

The Measure is up for Approval Tuesday

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin’s hemp industry would remain under state control as it enters its second year under a bill up for a vote in the Legislature. The bipartisan measure up for Senate approval Tuesday is designed to help farmers, hemp processors, retailers and consumers as the industry in Wisconsin explodes. It makes a variety of changes to align…

Trump Campaign Threatens to Sue Minneapolis Over Security Costs

Trump's Campaign Says the City is Trying to Force it to Pay $530,000

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – President Donald Trump’s campaign has threatened to sue Minneapolis for trying to force it to pay $530,000 in security costs for this week’s rally in the city. Trump’s campaign, in a statement late Monday night, said Mayor Jacob Frey is abusing the power of his office by “conjuring a phony and outlandish bill for security” at Thursday’s…

Democrat Amy Klobuchar Raises $4.8M for Presidential Bid

Klobuchar Says She Feels Good About the Number

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Democrat Amy Klobuchar says she raised $4.8 million in the third quarter for her 2020 presidential campaign. The total announced Monday places the Minnesota senator in the middle of the field in fundraising for the third straight quarter. Klobuchar has raised more than some rivals but less than top-tier candidates such as Sen. Bernie Sanders, who raised…

Esper, White House Budget Director Subpoenaed

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci) WASHINGTON (AP) – House Democrats have issued subpoenas to Defense Secretary Mark Esper and acting White House budget director Russell Vought as part of the impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump. Three Democratic committee chairmen demanded that Esper and Vought produce documents previously requested by Democrats by Oct. 15. The House Intelligence, Oversight and Foreign Affairs committees…

Evers Issuing First Wisconsin Pardons in 9 Years

(AP Photo) MADISON, Wis. (AP) -Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers is pardoning four people. It’s the first time a Wisconsin governor has invoked his constitutional power to grant clemency in nearly nine years. Evers on Monday planned to issue the pardons, the first he’s making as governor after he re-started the Pardons Board in June. Evers’ Republican predecessor Scott Walker…

Diabetes Activist Enters NE Minnesota Congressional Race

Nystrom is Running to Bring Down the Cost of Health Care and Prescription Drugs

BAXTER, Minn. (AP) – Diabetes activist Quinn Nystrom is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge GOP Rep. Pete Stauber in northeastern Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District. Nystrom said Thursday that she’s running to bring down the costs of health care and prescription drugs. She says Stauber has failed to follow through on his promise to help struggling Minnesotans afford their health…

GOP Congressional Candidate Wants Constitutional Convention

Tiffany is Running for Congress is Wisconsin's 7th District

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A Republican Wisconsin state lawmaker who is running for Congress wants to call a convention of the states to consider making changes to the U.S. Constitution, including imposing term limits on federal offices. State Sen. Tom Tiffany is co-sponsoring the resolution in the state Legislature to call the constitutional convention. Fifteen other states have already passed…

Duluth Officer Use of Force Case Could Go to Supreme Court

City Attorney Gunnar Johnson petitioning the Adam Huot case to the Minnesota Supreme Court

DULUTH, Minn.- The City of Duluth’s top attorney is not backing down in his fight to keep a police officer from getting his job back. The saga continues, as the City wishes to take the case to the final nail: the Minnesota State Supreme Court. In 2017 officer Adam Huot was shown on body cam video dragging a man by…

Bernie Sanders has Heart Procedure, Cancels Campaign Events

Sanders Experienced Chest Discomfort on Tuesday

WASHINGTON (AP) — Bernie Sanders’ campaign says the Democratic presidential candidate has had a heart procedure for a blocked artery. The Vermont senator is canceling events and appearances “until further notice.” The campaign says the 78-year-old Sanders experienced chest discomfort during an event Tuesday and sought medical evaluation. The campaign says two stents were “successfully inserted” and that Sanders “is…

Evers to Move Date of Wisconsin’s Special Congressional Vote

Evers Spokeswoman Says the State and Federal Law Conflict With Each Other

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers plans to change the date of the special election for an open congressional state after being alerted by the U.S. Department of Justice that the dates he set last week violated federal law. The election is to replace Republican Sean Duffy, who resigned last week. Evers on Sept. 23 set the special…

Scott Walker’s son Decides Against run for Congress

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald is the only GOP Announced Candidate

(photo: Twitter/Matt Walker) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The 25-year-old son of former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has decided against a run for Congress. Matt Walker posted on Twitter Monday that he would not run to replace retiring Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner in Wisconsin’s 5th Congressional District. Walker has never run for office and he was among several Republicans eyeing…

Wis. Rep. Milroy Announces He Will not Run For Congress

Milroy has Represented Wisconsin's 73rd District Since 2009

SOUTH RANGE, Wis. – Democratic State Rep. Nick Milroy announced Monday morning that he will not run for the now vacant 7th District seat. Milroy posted on his Facebook page Monday that running for Congress is not the right choice for his family at this time. The Facebook post read in part: “You only get one shot at raising your…

President Trump Coming to Minnesota in October

(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – President Donald Trump is coming back to Minnesota for the fourth time in the last sixteen months for an upcoming Trump rally. In an announcement made Thursday afternoon by the MNGOP, the rally will be held on October 10 at 7:00 p.m. at the Target Center in Minneapolis. Republican Party of Minnesota Chairwoman, Jennifer…

Watch Live: Schiff Says Complaint Reads Like Crime Shakedown

WASHINGTON (AP) – House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff says President Donald Trump’s actions detailed in a newly released whistleblower complaint read like “a classic organized crime shakedown.” Schiff on Thursday opened a hearing with acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire. Maguire released the complaint to Congress and the public this week after weeks of delay. The complaint details…

Memo Shows Trump Fixated on Mueller Probe

WASHINGTON (AP) – The memo summarizing President Donald Trump’s call with the Ukraine leader shows the president’s lingering fixation on special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation. Trump flippantly refers to the ex-FBI director as a “man named Robert Mueller” and says he turned in “a very poor performance.” The memo also shows that the president made reference to the private…

WATCH LIVE: Pelosi Expected to Announce Impeachment Inquiry of President Trump

Pelosi is set to Make an Announcement at 4 p.m. Central Time

WASHINGTON (AP) – House Speaker Nancy Pelosi plans to announce a formal impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump over allegations that he pressured the leader of Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden’s family. Pelosi’s likely decision was described to The Associated Press by a person familiar with the decision who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of…

GOP Army Veteran Church Challenging Tiffany for Congress

The Primary Will be Dec. 30 With a General Election on Jan. 27

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A second Republican has announced he’s running for a northern Wisconsin congressional seat to replace U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy. Army veteran Jason Church announced his candidacy Tuesday, a day after Duffy resigned his seat. Church joins fellow Republican state Sen. Tom Tiffany as the only announced candidates in the race. Numerous others, including many Democrats, are…

Duluth Council Packed for 5-Cent Charge Ordinance for Single-Use Bags

Dozens speak in support of the ordinance, no one speaks against.

DULUTH, Minn.- A potential new ordinance in Duluth could mean that for every paper or plastic bag you use from a store, you’re charged an extra five cents. The proposal is got its first read at Monday night’s City Council meeting, with residents sharing how they feel about it during public comments. They could vote on the ordinance at their…

Special Election set to Replace Duffy

A Primary Will be Held on December 30

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The special election in Wisconsin to replace Republican U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy will be held Jan. 27. Gov. Tony Evers on Monday announced that will be the general election date, with a primary on Dec. 30. The 7th Congressional District covers mostly rural central, northern and northwest Wisconsin. Duffy was resigning effective Monday, citing concerns with…

Duffy’s Last Day in Congress Shifts Focus to Campaign

Tom Tiffany is the Only Announced Candidate

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – As Republican U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy spends in his final day as a member of Congress, the focus shifts to whom else will run to succeed him. Duffy’s resignation Monday also clears the way for Gov. Tony Evers to announce when the special election will be to fill the seat. The Democratic Evers has said he…

Lawmakers Hold Community Conversation on Cannabis

Duluth is the first stop of 15 communities to give feedback.

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth was the first stop on a list of 15 communities lawmakers are planning on visiting to get feedback from community members as they craft a marijuana legalization bill to present to the house when they reconvene in February. In a town hall format the five lawmakers heard thoughts and concerns about legalizing cannabis. From whether or not…

Evers Would Consider Mandatory Gun Buy-Backs

Evers Unveiled the Proposal Thursday

(AP Photo) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers says he would consider mandatory buybacks for assault weapons. Democratic presidential candidate and former Texas congressman Beto O’Rourke has been pushing for mandatory buybacks on the campaign trail. Republicans have balked at the idea. Asked if he supports mandatory buybacks during a news conference Thursday to introduce a red flag…

Republican Fitzgerald Announces Run for Congress

Democrat Tom Palzewicz is Also Running

(courtesy: twitter) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Republican Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald is running for Congress to succeed retiring longtime U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner. Fitzgerald announced his bid Tuesday on WISN-AM. He is the first Republican to enter the race. His newly launched campaign website prominently features a picture of Fitzgerald next to President Donald Trump, who is giving…

Evers Creates Task Force to Study Retirement Savings

The Task Force Will Study The Amount of Money Retired People Have Saved

(AP Photo) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Gov. Tony Evers has created a task force to study issues facing the growing number of retired people in Wisconsin, particularly the amount of money they have saved. Evers signed an executive order Monday creating the group that is led by state Treasurer Sarah Godlewski and include members of Evers’ administration, Republican and Democratic…

Trump Fires National Security Adviser John Bolton

Bolton Submitted his Resignation Tuesday Morning

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump has fired national security adviser John Bolton. Trump tweeted Tuesday that he told Bolton Monday night that his services were no longer needed at the White House. I informed John Bolton last night that his services are no longer needed at the White House. I disagreed strongly with many of his suggestions, as did…

Republican Tiffany Launches Run for Congress in Wisconsin

A Special Election Date Has Yet to be Determined

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Republican state Sen. Tom Tiffany is running for Congress in northern Wisconsin to replace U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy, who is resigning in two weeks. Tiffany announced his candidacy on Tuesday, casting himself as a “proven conservative.” He has been in the state Legislature since 2011 and is a member of the Legislature’s powerful budget-writing committee. Other…

Pentagon Sidelines 127 Military Building Projects to Fund Border Wall

Defense Secretary Mark Esper Approved the Transfer of Funds on Tuesday

WASHINGTON (AP) – A total of 127 military construction projects are being sidelined by a Pentagon decision to shift $3.6 billion to build part of President Donald Trump’s border wall. Defense Secretary Mark Esper approved the transfer of funds on Tuesday. The Pentagon will cut funding from military projects like schools, target ranges, daycare centers for military families, and maintenance…

Duluth City Attorney Reacts to Court’s Decision to Reinstate Officer Shown Misusing Force

City still disagrees, may petition case to Minnesota Supreme Court.

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth City Attorney Gunnar Johnson is speaking out about the Minnesota Court of Appeals’ decision saying a Duluth Police officer should get his job back after a use-of-force incident. Officer Adam Huot was terminated after the 2017 incident where he was caught on body cam video dragging a handcuffed man through the skywalk before the man hit his…

Wisconsin Governor Awaits Counsel for Special Election Date

Evers Says he Hopes to Make a Decision Soon

BEAVER DAM, Wis. (AP)  Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers says he’s awaiting a recommendation from his legal team about when to call a special election for the congressional district being vacated by retiring Republican Rep. Sean Duffy. Evers said Thursday that he doesn’t know if he’ll have the special election correspond with the state’s presidential primary in April, when there’s…

Wis. Rep. Milroy Considers Running for Duffy’s Congressional Seat

Democratic State Representative says he's still talking with friends and family.

On Monday, Congressman Sean Duffy, a Republican Wisconsin representative, shocked the political world as he announced he is resigning next month to prepare for the birth of his daughter who is suffering from heart complications. Just hours after Duffy’s announcement, Democratic State Rep. Nick Milroy of South Range announced he’s considering running for the soon-to-be-vacant 7th district seat. Just as…

Duluth Council Approves Shawn Krizaj As Fire Chief

Unanimous vote appoints Krizaj after Edwards stepped down.

DULUTH, Minn.- On Monday night the Duluth City Council voted 7-0 to appoint Mayor Emily Larson’s choice for the city’s next Fire Chief, Shawn Krizaj. Krizaj has been with the Duluth Fire Department for almost 22 years, starting as a firefighter and working his way up to Deputy Chief. Most recently he became Acting Chief in April, when Dennis Edwards…

Wisconsin Congressman Sean Duffy Resigns, Special Election will Decide 7th District Seat

Congressman Duffy resigns to spend more time with his family, as his soon-to-be born child will suffer from complications.

WISCONSIN,- Republican Congressman Sean Duffy of Wisconsin’s 7th District has abruptly announced he’s resigning from office. Duffy said he needs to spend more time with his family as the baby he and his wife are expecting in Late October is having heart complications. 47-year-old Duffy, a former cast member of MTV’s “The Real World: Boston” landed the 7th district seat…

U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy of Wisconsin Says He’s Resigning

Cites Wife's Pending Childbirth

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republican U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy, who represents northern Wisconsin in Congress, is resigning next month. Duffy posted on his Facebook page Monday that he is resigning on Sept. 23 to spend more time with his family. Duffy says that he recently learned that his ninth child due in October has a heart condition and “will need…

Trump Announces New Retaliatory Tariffs on China

Products Being Taxed at 25% Will now be Taxed at 30% as of October 1

(AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump says products coming from China that were slated to be hit with a 10% tariff on Sept. 1 will now face a 15% tariff. Trump also says goods and products currently being taxed at 25% will be taxed at 30% starting Oct. 1. Trump’s comments come after China said it…

Superior Council Unanimously Passes Ban on Conversion Therapy in City

Over 20 members of the community spoke in support of the ban, while Councilor shares emotional personal story.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Superior City Council has voted unanimously to enact a city-wide ban on Conversion Therapy for anyone under 18. “I want people of all genders and sexualities to believe that they have a place in Superior.” These proclamations echoed throughout the packed city council meeting Tuesday as dozens of members of the community came to speak, seemingly all…

Council Passes Amended Golf Course Resolution, Step Closer to Calling for Development Proposals

Council voted 8-0, with amendment that new property must meet certain requirements.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth City Council voted to pass a resolution that allows the potential sale of 50 acres of Lester Park Golf Course and 10 acres of Enger Park Golf Course to a developer to use for affordable housing. The council passed the resolution 8-0, with Councilor Jay Fosley absent. It comes with an amendment that any proposals for…