Political

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…

Omar, Tlaib Host News Conference on Travel Restrictions

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Democratic U.S. Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan are hosting a news conference on travel restrictions to Israel and Palestine, after they were denied entry into Israel last week. At the urging of President Donald Trump, Israel denied entry to the two Muslim representatives over their support for the Palestinian-led boycott…

Tlaib Says she Won’t Remain Silent During Trip

U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib is Granted Entry to the Israeli-Occupied Territory on ``Humanitarian Grounds.''

JERUSALEM (AP) – Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib says she will not let down the Palestinian people by remaining silent about their condition on a visit to the West Bank. That’s the case despite a letter she submitted earlier to the Israeli government in which she promised to respect any restrictions imposed on her visit to the West Bank. Tlaib tweeted…

Israel PM Says US Reps Barred Over Boycott Calls

Netanyahu's Office Issued a Statement Thursday

JERUSALEM (AP) – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel “is open to all visitors and all criticism,” but will bar entry to two U.S. Democratic congresswomen over their support for boycotts. Netanyahu’s office issued a statement Thursday saying that based on Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar’s itinerary for an upcoming visit to the West Bank and Jerusalem, “it became…

Evers, Democrats Offer gun Background Check Bill

The Bill was Unveiled Thursday

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and Democratic lawmakers are proposing an expansion of background checks for gun sales in the state. Republicans who control the Legislature have said they are opposed to such efforts. But Evers and Democrats are pushing it in the wake of two mass shootings earlier this month, saying the public is behind the…

Musolf Elected to St. Louis County Board

Musolf defeated Hermantown Mayor Wayne Boucher 994-905

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn. – Keith Musolf has been elected to the St. Louis County Board. He defeated Hermantown Mayor Wayne Boucher in a special election to replace Congressman Pete Stauber. Musolf had 994 votes to Boucher’s 905. He tells us he’s excited and a little relieved for the campaign to be over so he can start serving the people…

Larson, Nolle Face Off in Duluth Mayoral Race

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth mayoral race has been narrowed to two candidates. Incumbent Mayor Emily Larson will face challenger Dave Nolle in the November general election. About two-thirds of Duluth voters chose Mayor Larson as their pick in Tuesday’s primary. She advances to the general election against Dave Nolle, who finished second in the primary with about twelve percent…

Incumbent Larson, Nolle Advance Past Primaries for Duluth’s Next Mayor

Larson awaited results with DFL-ers at the Reef Bar.

DULUTH, Minn.- Mayor Emily Larson, the incumbent in the 2019 Primary Election, will advance to the General Election with fellow candidate David Nolle in November. Larson rounded out Tuesday night with 5,225 votes, and Nolle with 992. You can see the full election results here.  Larson and her campaign staff joined fellow DFL-ers at the Reef Bar above the Labor…

2019 Primary and Special Election Results

Below are the up to date results to the key races in Tuesday’s Primary and Special Elections Mayor (Two Advance) Caleb Anderson -206    2.64% Corey Ford -160    2.05% Emily Larson (I) -5,225   66.87% Doris Queen Lavender -83    1.06% David Nolle -992     12.70% Jesse Peterson -193     2.47% Donald Raihala -220    2.82% John Socha -450   …

Elizabeth Warren to Campaign in Minnesota on Monday

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren will visit Minnesota to host a town hall on Monday. Warren will appear at the Leonard Center Fieldhouse at Macalester College in St. Paul. Doors open at 4:15 p.m. and the event begins at 6:15 p.m. Tickets can be reserved via the Warren campaign website. Minnesota’s presidential primary is March…

Trump Changes Endangered Species Act Protections

The Trump Administration Finalized Major Changes Monday

WASHINGTON (AP) – California and Massachusetts say they’ll go to court to fight the Trump administration’s overhaul of the Endangered Species Act. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey and California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said Monday that they planned to sue. It came hours after the administration announced broad changes to the way the government would enforce endangered species protections. Both…

Walz Calls for Legislative Hearings on gun Safety, Insulin

Proposals Stalled out During the 2019 Legislature's Regular Session

(courtesy: Office of Gov. Tim Walz) ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Gov. Tim Walz says he still wants Senate Republicans to hold hearings on Democratic proposals for gun control and emergency insulin supplies. The governor told reporters Monday he finds it “absolutely unacceptable” that none have been scheduled following the latest mass shootings in Ohio and Texas. He contrasted the…

Radinovich Announces he will not run for Congress Again

DULUTH, Minn. – Democrat Joe Radinovich confirmed on Friday that he will not run for Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District again. Radinovich lost the race for 8th Congressional District to Republican Pete Stauber in November 2018. Radinovich made the announcement on his Facebook page writing in part: “While I believe that our country faces one of its most important elections in…

Trump Claims he Wants ‘Strong Background Checks’ on Guns

Trump Says Washing "Must Come Together" After two Weekend Mass Shootings

(AP) WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump says Washington “must come together” in the wake of two mass shootings this weekend to “get strong background checks” for gun users. But he is providing no details on what sort of legislation he would support. Trump, who will make remarks later Monday, tweeted about the weekend shootings in Texas and Ohio that…

Trump Says he Will put 10% Tariffs on Remaining China Imports

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump intensified pressure Thursday on China to reach a trade deal by saying that beginning Sept. 1, he will impose 10% tariffs on the remaining $300 billion in Chinese imports he hasn’t already taxed. The move immediately sent stock prices sinking. The president has already imposed 25% tariffs on $250 billion in Chinese products, and…

Wisconsin Conservatives Back Away From Redistricting Rumors

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A leading conservative attorney says he has never heard anyone in the Legislature say there were plans to circumvent Democratic Gov. Tony Evers to enact redistricting without his approval. The comment Tuesday from Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty leader Rick Esenberg comes a day after he was quoted in a story by the liberal online…

Trump Calls Mueller Hearings ‘All Nonsense’

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci) WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump says the Russia probe created a “phony cloud” over his administration and says House committee hearings featuring testimony from special counsel Robert Mueller were “all nonsense.” He says Mueller’s performance was “obviously not very good” and is accusing him of not knowing about certain details of his investigation. Trump is calling…

Duluthians Meet Candidates Running for Mayor, City Council, School Board

Meet and greet at Incline Station hosted by Club 710

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluthians met city candidates running for mayor, city council, and school board. Eighteen candidates, including four incumbents, attended the meet and greet at the Incline Station in Downtown Duluth. The event was put on by the 710 Club, a political group who wants to keep voters informed. “Tonight we just decided to open up our meeting to…

Trump Tweets he Will Win Minnesota in 2020

The Tweet focused in on Minnesota U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar calling her an anti-semite.

WASHINGTON, D.C.-In the early morning hours, President Donald Trump vowed to win Minnesota after sending out a Tweet at 5:51 a.m. The Tweet focused in on Minnesota U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar calling her an anti-semite. In the Tweet, Trump said: “In 2016 I almost won Minnesota. In 2020, because of America hating anti-Semite Rep. Omar, & the fact that Minnesota…

Senate Confirms Army Veteran Mark Esper Secretary of Defense

Esper won Senate Confirmation on Tuesday

(AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) WASHINGTON (AP) – The Senate has confirmed Army veteran and former defense industry lobbyist Mark Esper as secretary of defense. Esper’s confirmation ends a stretch of seven months the Pentagon didn’t have a permanent leader. Esper won Senate confirmation on Tuesday by a vote of 90-8 and is to be sworn in by day’s end. The…

Council Candidates Door-Knock Ahead of Primaries

Volunteers take to the doors in their district to talk to voters.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth primary elections are less than a month away on August 13th. Early voting has been open since June 28th, so some city council candidates and volunteers took advantage of the cool summer evening to get out and knock on some doors. Volunteers met at the Labor Temple to discuss strategy, scripts and plot which neighborhoods to…

House Republicans vow Tough Questions of Mueller at Hearing

Mueller Will Testify Before Congress This Week

WASHINGTON (AP) – House Republicans are pledging tough questioning of special counsel Robert Mueller when he testifies before Congress this week as Democrats plan to air evidence of wrongdoing by President Donald Trump in a potentially last-ditch bid to impeach him. Rep. Doug Collins, the top Republican on House Judiciary Committee, said the American public is growing weary of the…

Duffy Calls Four Minority Congresswomen ‘Anti-American’

The 7th Distrcit Congressman Defended Trump on Tuesday

MILWAUKEE (AP) – Republican U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy of Wisconsin calls the four minority congresswomen targeted by President Donald Trump’s controversial tweets “anti-American.” The 7th District congressman defended Trump on the House floor Tuesday where Democrats asked that Duffy’s words be stricken from the record, calling them “defamatory.” All three Democratic representatives from Wisconsin joined party members in voting for…

Two Republican Senators Take Issue With Trump Tweets

Democrats Condemned Trump's Tweets as Racist and Divisive

WASHINGTON (AP) – Two Republican senators are taking issue with President Donald Trump’s tweet that freshman Democratic congresswomen of color “go back” to where they came from. Maine Sen. Susan Collins, who is up for re-election next year, said Trump’s tweet was “way over the line and he should take that down.” Republican Sen. Patrick Toomey of Pennsylvania said of…

Labor Secretary Acosta Resigns Amid Epstein Deal Scrutiny

Move Comes After Criticism of his Handling of Epstein Case

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta is stepping down following criticism of his handling of a plea deal with a wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein, who is accused of sexually abusing dozens of underage girls. Trump announced the news with Acosta by his side at the White House as Trump left on a trip to the…