Political

Democratic Milwaukee Businessman Andy Gronik Drops out

The Announcement Came Thursday

photo: andygronik.comMADISON, Wis. (AP) – Democratic Milwaukee businessman Andy Gronik is ending his campaign for governor. Gronik announced Thursday he was dropping out of the race. That leaves nine Democrats in the field looking to take on Republican Gov. Scott Walker. Gronik got into the race nearly a year ago, in July 2017. A political newcomer, he was not able…

Milwaukee on Short List for Democratic National Convention

The Convention Will be Held July 13-16

MILWAUKEE (AP) – Milwaukee is on the short list to host the Democratic National Convention in 2020. Wisconsin’s largest city was among four cities to make the cut Wednesday by the DNC site selection committee. But the Denver Post is reporting that city, which also made the cut, is planning to withdraw its application. The two other cities are Houston…

Trump Supporters Praise Steel Tariff at Roundtable Discussion

The people attending this roundtable were all big Trump supports.

DULUTH, Minn.-President Trump made his first stop in Duluth for what the White House is calling a roundtable discussion. “We’re very proud of what we’ve done, we’re very proud of Minnesota, and the people of this state, they’re incredible people,” President Trump said. “The people that you see in this room right now and the people you see up here…

Local Leaders Speak at Duluth Trump Rally

Congressional candidate Pete Stauber and Congressman Sean Duffy were among the speakers

DULUTH, Minn. – Local leaders spoke at President Trump’s rally in Duluth. Congressman Sean Duffy (R-Wis.) was among the elected officials who took the podium before the president. “Donald Trump is jacked to be in Duluth, Minnesota. And I’ve got to be honest with you guys, I told him the best thing about Duluth is you can see Wisconsin from…

President Trump Speaks in Duluth

The president addressed a lot of issues to a capacity crowd at Amsoil Arena

DULUTH, Minn. – A historic day in Duluth as the city had its first presidential visit since 2004. President Trump covered a lot of ground at his rally at a full Amsoil Arena. Thousands of people were there to hear President Trump speak about a lot of issues including his meeting with North Korea leader Kim Jong Un earlier this…

Homeland Security Drafts Plan to end Family Separation

it is Unclear if the President Will Sign it

(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)WASHINGTON (AP) – Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen is drafting an executive action for President Donald Trump that would direct DHS to keep families apprehended at the border together during detention. That’s according to two people familiar with her thinking who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the effort before its official announcement. It’s unclear whether…

Security Details Outlined for Trump Rally

Long Lines Expected at Trump Rally

(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)DULUTH, Minn. – Large crowds and long lines are expected for the Trump Rally at the Amsoil Arena on Wednesday. To help things go a little smoother for attendees DECC officials have released a list of security details for the event: SCHEDULE: Doors open at 3:30pm. Rally begins at 6:30. President Trump will speak for approximately one hour….

Swanson Joins AGs in Demanding end to Border Separations

Swanson has Joined with 20 Other Democrats

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson has joined with 20 other Democratic attorneys general nationwide in demanding that the Trump administration end a “zero tolerance” policy that has resulted in children being separated from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border. The state prosecutors say in a letter to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Homeland Security…

Group Prepares for President Trump’s Visit to Duluth

Forward Coalition is helping Duluth organizations plan peaceful demonstrations

DULUTH, Minn. – To prepare for President Trump’s visit, a group of Duluthians are helping organizations plan peaceful demonstrations in reaction to his presence. They call themselves “Forward Coalition” and are making banners tonight to promote what they call “Duluth Values.” They do not support the president’s actions. “As a coalition what we’re interested in is not protesting Trump and…

Judge Jails ex-Trump Campaign Chair Manafort Ahead of Trial

Paul Manafort is Going to Jail

(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman is going to jail. Paul Manafort was ordered into custody Friday after a federal judge revoked his house arrest, citing newly filed obstruction of justice charges. The move by U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson came after prosecutors accused Manafort and a longtime associate of witnesses tampering. Prosecutors say…

China Announces Equal Penalties to Retaliate for US Tariffs

China Said it Will Impose Penalties of “Equal Strength” on U.S.

(AP Photo/Andy Wong)BEIJING (AP) — China’s government responded quickly to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff hike on Chinese goods by announcing Friday it will immediately impose penalties of “equal strength” on U.S. products. The Commerce Ministry said it also was scrapping deals to buy more American farm goods and other exports as part of efforts to defuse a sprawling dispute…

“Fox & Friends” To Broadcast Live From Uncle Loui’s Cafe

DULUTH, Minn. – The Fox News Channel’s top–rated morning show “Fox & Friends” will be broadcasting live from Duluth next Thursday — the day after President Donald Trump holds his first rally at the DECC since the summit in Singapore with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The location for the broadcast is Uncle Loui’s Café on East 4th Street. The owner of Uncle Loui’s says having this exposure is an opportunity…

Watchdog Report Faults Comey as ‘Insubordinate’

The Report Criticized Comey

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Justice Department has issued a stinging rebuke to the FBI for its handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation. The report released Thursday calls former FBI Director James Comey “insubordinate” and says his actions were “extraordinary.” But the report, by the department’s watchdog, does not find evidence that Comey was motivated by political bias or preference…

Supreme Court Strikes Down Minnesota’s Voter Clothing law

Ruling Found the law Violates the First Amendement

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Supreme Court has struck down a Minnesota law that restricted what voters can wear to polls. The justices ruled Thursday that the law violates the First Amendment. Still, the justices’ 7-2 ruling suggested that some restrictions on what people can wear to vote are permissible. Most states have laws restricting what voters can wear to cast…

Nevada Pimp Dennis Hof Wins GOP Primary, Ousts Incumbent

Owner of Legal Brothels Wins Republican Primary for State Legislature

(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File) LAS VEGAS (AP) — Pimp Dennis Hof, the owner of half a dozen legal brothels in Nevada and star of the HBO adult reality series “Cathouse,” won a Republican primary for the state Legislature on Tuesday, ousting a three-term lawmaker. Hof defeated hospital executive James Oscarson. He’ll face Democrat Lesia Romanov in November, and will be…

Trump’s vow to end Military Drills With Seoul Stuns a Region

Trump Announced he was Halting U.S-South Korean Military Drills

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci) SINGAPORE (AP) — President Donald Trump rocked the region with the stunning announcement Tuesday that he was halting annual U.S.-South Korean military drills — and wants to remove the 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in the South as a deterrent against North Korea. Trump’s surprise, almost offhand comments, made during a news conference after his summit with North…

Duluth City Council Removes Golf Course Changes in ‘Imagine 2035’ Plan

The council tabled a vote on the plan until next week

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth City Council planned to vote on changes to the city’s Comprehensive Land Use plan but, over the weekend, residents and members of the golf community voiced their concerns about part of the city’s “Imagine 2035” plan that would have recommended city golf courses be re-zoned in the future. Recommendations that could have led to city…

DFL Candidate for Governor Stop in Northland

Attorney General Lori Swanson Stops in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn.-A DFL candidate for governor made a stop at Monaco Air in Duluth earlier today. Current Attorney General Lori Swanson and her running mate Eighth District Rep. Rick Nolan stopped by to share their vision for Minnesota. Swanson said one of her main goals is to end some of the divisiveness in Minnesota’s politics. “Before we take office, we…

Trump to Come to Duluth

The President Will be at the DECC on June 20

(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)DULUTH, Minn. – President Donald Trump will be rallying in Duluth next week. According to his official website, the President will be hosting his MN Rally at the DECC Arena on Wednesday June 20. The doors will open for ticket holders at 3:30 p.m. and the event will begin at 6:30 p.m. Trump’s re-election campaign announced the rally…

Trump to Host Fundraiser, Attend Foxconn Groundbreaking

The Cost to Attend the Fundraiser Starts at $2,700 per Couple

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)MILWAUKEE (AP) – President Donald Trump plans to attend the Foxconn Technology Group groundbreaking ceremony later this month and attend a luncheon fundraiser. The Milwaukee Business Journal reports that prominent Milwaukee business executive Ted Kellner is hosting the June 29 fundraiser. It comes before Trump is to attend the Foxconn event in Mount Pleasant with Gov. Scott Walker…

St. Louis Co. Atty. Mark Rubin To Keep Seat For Another Term

Rubin Is In 8th Year As County's Top Prosecutor

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Louis County Attorney Mark Rubin has been reelected for another four years. 63-year-old Rubin is right now in his 8th year as the county’s chief prosecutor of crimes. Rubin says he thought about retiring for the past eight or nine months, but in the end, he felt he and his team still have unfinished work to…

Candidates With Familiar Names run to Replace Ellison

Eight Democratic Candidates Registered to run Tuesday

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Two candidates with familiar names are running for Rep. Keith Ellison’s seat in Congress. There was a rush to file for Ellison’s Minneapolis-area district Tuesday as the six-term congressman launched a late bid for Minnesota attorney general. Eight Democratic candidates registered to run Tuesday ahead of a 5 p.m. deadline. Julie Sabo and Kim Ellison…

Swanson Announces bid for Minnesota Governor

The Party Endorsed Rep. Erin Murphy

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson is getting into the state’s crowded race for governor. The announcement Monday marks a shift for the Democrat, who in January said she intended to seek a fourth term as attorney general rather than run for governor. But she changed her mind after party activists at the state convention this…

Minnesota’s Swanson Asks Nolan to Join Governor run

Swanson Lost the Endorserment for Fourth Term as Attorney General

photo: loriswanson.comST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Two people familiar with the discussions say Minnesota Democratic Attorney General Lori Swanson has asked retiring U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan to be her running mate in a possible last-minute entry into the governor’s race. Two Democratic political operatives tell The Associated Press that Swanson approached Nolan about joining a campaign and he’s seriously considering….

Auditor Otto Drops From Minnesota Gov Race

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota State Auditor Rebecca Otto is ending her campaign for governor. Otto, a Democrat, says in a Facebook post Monday that she came to the decision after dropping out of the endorsement race at this weekend’s Democratic state convention. Party activists ultimately endorsed state Rep. Erin Murphy for governor. Murphy will have at least one…

Walker Calls Democrat Evers ‘Pathetic’ Over Cursing

Evers' Campaign had no Immediate Reaction to Walker's Comment

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Republican Gov. Scott Walker is calling Democratic challenger Tony Evers “pathetic” for using a curse word in his Democratic Party convention speech over the weekend. Walker reacted on Twitter Monday to Evers’ comments. Evers told about 1,300 convention attendees in a speech Friday night that he was “goddamn sick and tired of Scott Walker gutting our…

Minnesota GOP Endorses Jeff Johnson; DFL Endorses Erin Murphy for Governor

Primary elections to be held on August 14th

MINNESOTA – The Minnesota Republican Party endorsed Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson for Governor on the third ballot after rivals Philip Parrish and Mary Giuliani Stevens dropped out of the race. “Are we a party of the political class, the wealthiest donors, the lobbyists, or are we a party of grass roots republicans?” said Jeff Johnson after securing the GOP…

Minnesota GOP Convention Begins in Duluth

Multiple Candidates Vying for Nomination

    **UPDATE** Representative Jim Newberger, Becker, was endorsed for the United States Senate seat with nearly 80% of the vote on the first ballot for the senate seat currently held by Amy Klobuchar. State Senator Karin Housley, Stillwater, was endorsed for the United States Senate seat on the first ballot for the senate seat resigned by Al Franken. The…

Trump Says June 12 Summit With Kim Back on

Singapore Summit is Back on

(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump says his meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is back on for June 12. Trump says after an Oval Office meeting Friday with North Korea’s Kim Yong Chol that he’d be making a mistake not to go forward with the on-again, off-again nuclear summit in Singapore. Trump says his meeting…

Political Parties to Meet to Endorse for Minnesota Governor

Endorsing Conventions Will Begin Friday Afternoon

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Democratic and Republican activists are preparing to gather to answer one major question: Who will the two major parties endorse in the wide-open race for governor? Endorsing conventions were set to begin Friday afternoon, with Republicans meeting in Duluth and Democrats set to gather in Rochester. The parties will also endorse candidates for a pair…

Once a Reluctant Lt. Gov., Fischbach Joins Pawlenty Campaign

Fischbach has 22 Years in the Legislature

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty has chosen the state’s newly sworn-in lieutenant governor as his running mate. Pawlenty announced Thursday that Republican Lt. Gov. Michelle Fischbach would join the campaign. Fischbach resigned her Senate seat last week and was sworn in as Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton’s lieutenant governor after resisting the job for months. Fischbach confirmed…

US Going Ahead With Steel, Aluminum Tariffs on EU, Canada and Mexico

The Move Sure to Raise Worries of Trade war

(AP Photo/Francois Mori)WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is announcing tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from the European Union, Canada and Mexico. The move is sure to raise worries of a trade war with American allies. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross says there will be a 25 percent tariff on imported steel and a 10 percent tariff on imported aluminum….

Dayton Vetoes Revised Bill on Wild Rice Water Standards

Dayton Says it Would Have Violated Federal law

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Gov. Mark Dayton has vetoed a bill that he says would have unlawfully undermined Minnesota’s water quality standard for protecting wild rice. Dayton, who vetoed a similar bill earlier, says the revised version represented “some progress,” but not enough to overcome its shortcomings. He says the bill would have given a work group authority to…

Dayton Signs off on Bonding Bill, Nixing one Project

Dayton Vetoed one Project on the Bill

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Gov. Mark Dayton has signed most of a bill authorizing almost $1.5 billion in public construction across Minnesota. Dayton signed the so-called bonding bill Wednesday but used his line-item veto pen on just one project. Dayton said $1 million for additional reviews of state water regulations would have added needless bureaucracy. His signature on the…

Duluth City Council President to Step Down

Elissa Hansen Made the Announcement at Tuesday's Council Meeting

DULUTH, Minn. – There’s going to be a changeup at the Duluth City Council as the current President, Elissa Hansen, announced she’ll be stepping down next month. Hansen became emotional when breaking the news at the end of the council meeting Tuesday night. She said she was offered and accepted the position of President and CEO of The Northspan Group….

GOP House Majority Leader to Leave Legislature

Joyce Peppin Will be Taking a Private Sector job

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – One of the most powerful state lawmakers in Minnesota is leaving the Legislature. Republican House Majority Leader Joyce Peppin announced Wednesday she would retire to take a private sector job. Peppin is a seven-term lawmaker from Rogers who had served as House Majority Leader since 2015. Peppin says she never considered the Legislature a full-time…

Trump Announces new Tariffs on Chinese Technology

The U.S. Will Impose a 25 Percent Tariff

(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. is announcing that it will impose a 25 percent tariff on $50 billion worth of Chinese goods containing “industrially significant technology.” The White House said Tuesday that the tariff will cover goods related to the “Made in China 2025” program. The full list of imports that will be covered will be…

GOP Rep. Jeff Howe to Seek Fischbach’s Minnesota Senate Seat

Howe was First Elected to the House in 2012.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Republican state Rep. Jeff Howe of Rockville is the first candidate to enter the race for the Minnesota Senate seat being vacated by Michelle Fischbach of Paynesville. Howe entered a race Tuesday that will determine control of the state Senate. Republicans lost their one-seat majority last week when Fischbach stepped down. As Senate president, she…

Trump Said to be ‘Actively Preparing’ for Summit

Last Week Trump Withdrew From the Planned Summit

(AP PHOTO)WASHINGTON (AP) – The White House says President Donald Trump “continues to actively prepare” for the president’s “expected summit” with North Korea leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders says Trump will meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the White House on June 7. She says Kim Yong Chol, North Korea’s…

Lawmakers Fail to Resolve Dispute Over Muskie Stocking

Muskies are Native to 44 Minnesota Lakes

NISSWA, Minn. (AP) – Lawmakers left St. Paul without resolving a long-running dispute over the stocking of Minnesota lakes with muskies. Opponents of introducing the big predator fish to more lakes weren’t able to pass legislation this session to limit the practice. Minnesota Public Radio reports that anti-stocking legislation is expected to return next year. Muskies – properly known as…

Emails Show Collaboration Among EPA, Climate-Change Deniers

(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)WASHINGTON (AP) – Newly released emails show senior Environmental Protection Agency officials collaborating with a conservative group that dismisses climate change to rally like-minded people for public hearings on science and global warming, counter negative news coverage and tout Administrator Scott Pruitt’s stewardship of the agency. The emails were obtained by the Environmental Defense Fund and the…

Dakota County Judge is Confirmed as Minnesota US Attorney

Erica MacDonald Confirmed as the State's top Federal Prosecutor

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The U.S. Senate has confirmed a Minnesota judge as the state’s next U.S. Attorney. Erica MacDonald was confirmed as the state’s top federal prosecutor on Thursday. MacDonald has been a judge in Dakota County since 2010, and was a federal prosecutor before that – focusing on cases dealing with violent crimes, drugs, human trafficking and child pornography….

In Turnabout, Fischbach to Take Oath as Lieutenant Governor

Dayton Will Call a Special Electin to Fill Seat

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Sen. Michelle Fischbach is set to take an oath of office as lieutenant governor after months of resisting the role. Gov. Mark Dayton’s office says Fischbach will be sworn in Friday morning to serve as the Democratic governor’s No. 2. It’s an apparent change of heart for Fischbach, a Republican who was automatically elevated to…

Groups Urge Vetoes Over Environmental Trust Fund ‘Raid’

They Were Added in the Closing Hours of Session

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Environmental and conservation groups urge Gov. Mark Dayton to use his line-item veto power to cancel $98 million in projects funded by what they consider an improper raid on a trust fund that depends on state lottery proceeds. The wastewater infrastructure and other projects are part of a $1.5 billion public works borrowing bill, but the money…

Duluth Mayor Emily Larson Announces Support for Metsa

VIRGINIA, Minn. – Duluth Mayor Emily Larson has announced her support for Jason Metsa’s congressional campaign this afternoon. Larson has joined a growing list of elected officials throughout the state that have shown their support for Metsa’s campaign. In a statement released today, Larson says: “Northeast Minnesota needs a champion in Washington D.C. who will fight every day for our…

Trump Suggests NFL Players who Kneel Shouldn’t be in US

Trump: "Maybe you shouldn’t be in the country"

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump praised an NFL policy banning kneeling during the “The Star-Spangled Banner,” saying that “maybe you shouldn’t be in the country” if you don’t stand for the anthem. Trump spoke to “Fox & Friends” in an interview that aired Thursday. The policy forbids players from sitting or taking a knee on the field…

Trump Cancels North Korean Summit, Citing `Tremendous Anger’

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump is canceling the planned June 12 summit with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, citing the “tremendous anger and open hostility” in a recent statement from North Korea. Trump says in a letter to Kim released Thursday by the White House that based on the statement, he felt it was “inappropriate, at this time, to…

North Korea Demolishes Nuclear Site Ahead of, now Canceled, Trump Summit

Trump Canceled the Planned June 12 Summit Thursday Morning

(Satellite Image ©2018 DigitalGlobe, a Maxar company via A, File) PUNGGYE-RI, North Korea (AP) — Just weeks ahead of a planned summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, Kim Jong Un made good on his promise to demolish North Korea’s nuclear test site, which was formally closed in a series of huge explosions Thursday as a group of foreign journalists looked…