Political

US Judge Steps Down After Accusations of Sexual Misconduct

(Fox News) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A prominent U.S. appeals court judge announced his retirement Monday days after women alleged he subjected them to inappropriate sexual conduct or comments. Judge Alex Kozinski of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said in a statement that a battle over the accusations would not be good for the judiciary. He said he’ll…

What is Net Neutrality and Why Does it Matter?

NEW YORK (AP) — “Net neutrality” regulations, designed to prevent internet service providers like Verizon, AT&T, Comcast and Charter from favoring some sites and apps over others, are on the chopping block. On Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission plans to vote on a proposal that would not only undo the Obama-era rules that have been in place since 2015, but…

As ‘Net Neutrality’ Vote Nears, Some Brace for a Long Fight

NEW YORK (AP) — As the federal government prepares to unravel sweeping net-neutrality rules that guaranteed equal access to the internet, advocates of the regulations are bracing for a long fight. The Thursday vote scheduled at the Federal Communications Commission could usher in big changes in how Americans use the internet, a radical departure from more than a decade of…

GOP Says It’s Got A Deal on Taxes; Cuts Coming for Next Year

STEPHEN OHLEMACHER, ANDREW TAYLOR, & MARCY GORDON - AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — Confident congressional Republicans forged an agreement Wednesday on a major overhaul of the nation’s tax laws that would provide generous tax cuts for corporations and the wealthiest Americans — Donald Trump among them — and deliver the first major legislative accomplishment to the GOP president. Middle- and low-income families would get smaller tax cuts, though Trump and…

Omarosa Resigns from Trump Administration Job

WASHINGTON (Fox News) – “Apprentice” star turned White House official Omarosa Manigault Newman will leave the Trump administration next month, according to the White House. “Omarosa Manigault Newman resigned yesterday to pursue other opportunities,” White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement. “Her departure will not be effective until January 2018. We wish her the best in future…

Gov. Mark Dayton Appoints Lt. Gov. Tina Smith to Serve as US Senator

Courtesy of Minnesota Governor’s Office  ST. PAUL, Minn. – Gov. Mark Dayton announced Wednesday during a press conference at the Minnesota State Capitol, that he will appoint Lt. Gov. Tina Smith to serve as United States Senator for Minnesota. Smith will be appointed to serve a one-year term in the Senate, concluding in January 2019. Minnesotans will chose a U.S….

Democrat Jones Wins Stunning Red-State Alabama Senate Upset

First Democratic Senate Victory in Alabama in 25 Years

From WikipediaMONTGOMERY, Ala.-Democrat Doug Jones has won a stunning victory in Alabama’s Senate election, beating back history, an embattled Republican opponent and President Donald Trump. It was the first Democratic Senate victory in a quarter-century in Alabama, one of the reddest of red states, and proved anew that party loyalty is anything but certain in the age of Trump. The…

Trump Signs $700 Billion Military Budget into Law

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed into law a sweeping defense policy bill that authorizes a $700 billion budget for the military, including additional spending on missile defense programs to counter North Korea’s growing nuclear weapons threat. But there’s a catch. The $700 billion budget won’t become reality until lawmakers agree to roll back a 2011 law…

Trump Says Accusations of Sexual Misconduct ‘Fabricated’

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci) WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump, pushing back against women accusing him of sexual misconduct, insisted Tuesday he’s the target of “false accusations and fabricated stories of women who I don’t know and/or have never met.” Trump lashed out on Twitter a day after three women who previously accused him of sexual harassment shared their stories on…

Dayton to Announce Franken’s Replacement Wednesday

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Governor Mark Dayton will announce his appointment to fill resigning U.S. Senator Al Franken’s seat at 10 a.m. Wednesday during a press conference at the state capitol. On Thursday, Dec. 7, Franken announced he would be resigning from the U.S. Senate following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. The senator has currently been accused by eight women….

Bill Would Create State-Certified Wisconsin Beer Label

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A bill circulating in the Legislature would create a new state-certified Wisconsin beer label. To get the special designation, the beer would have to include a certain percentage of hops grown in Wisconsin. The measure comes from Republican Rep. Scott Krug, of Nekoosa. He says in a memo seeking co-sponsors that the bill is in recognition…

Partisan Divide Deepens Over Walker Investigation

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The deep partisan divide over the secret investigation into Gov. Scott Walker’s recall has reignited in the face of an investigatory report released this week. The report from Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel recommends that those behind seizing personal emails from scores of Republicans across the state and not keeping them secure be held in contempt….

Pawlenty Considering Running for Franken Seat

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he’s considering running for Sen. Al Franken’s U.S. Senate seat. The Republican governor and one-time presidential candidate insisted Friday that he’s still “politically retired.” But Pawlenty would be a prized recruit in 2018 for Republicans hoping to captialize on Franken’s resignation amid a cloud of sexual misconduct allegations. Pawlenty…

Trump Signs 2-Week Spending Bill to Avoid Shutdown

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump has signed a spending bill to avoid a government shutdown and keep the federal government running through Dec. 22. The president signed the two-week spending bill at the White House after the House and Senate acted to prevent a government shutdown this weekend. The White House and congressional leaders are negotiating a longer-term agreement….

Congressional Candidate Pete Stauber Has New Campaign Headquarters

Headquarters are Located in Hermantown

HERMANTOWN, Minn.-Congressional candidate Pete Stauber has some new digs in Hermantown. The republican, who’s trying to unseat Rep. Rick Nolan, had a grand opening for his campaign headquarters today at 4690 Miller Trunk Highway in Suite 700. The candidate told Fox 21 that he wants his campaign to focus on the issues, rather than what’s been going on in Washington…

Sen. Al Franken Announces His Resignation Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations

  WASHINGTON – Senator Al Franken has announced his resignation from the United States Senate. During a scheduled speech on the senate floor, Senator Al Franken announced he will be leaving the United States Senate in the coming weeks amid multiple sexual misconduct allegations. Gov. Mark Dayton must now appoint someone to take Franken’s seat during the Nov. 2018 election….

Franken Faces New Allegations, Weighing Future

Franken Announcement Coming at 10:45 a.m.

WASHINGTON-Minnesota Democrat Al Franken, facing fresh allegations of sexual misconduct and vanishing support from fellow Democrats, appears to be on the brink of resigning from the Senate. Franken scheduled an announcement for Thursday at 10:45 a.m. which will be aired on Fox 21 and live streamed on our Facebook page. His office did tweet Wednesday evening that he had not…

Trump Says Government Shutdown Possible, Blames Democrats

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci) WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump warned Wednesday that a government shutdown was possible this weekend because Democrats were demanding to have “illegal immigrants pouring into our country,” tossing incendiary rhetoric onto a partisan showdown that had been showing signs of easing. Trump’s comments risked roiling a White House meeting with congressional leaders of both parties planned…

Trump Declares Jerusalem Israel Capital, Smashing US Policy

Palestinians burn a poser of President Donald Trump during a protest in Bethlehem, West Bank, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2017. President Trump forged ahead Tuesday with plans to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital despite intense Arab, Muslim, and European opposition to ma move that would upend decades of U.S. policy and risk potentially violent protests. (AP)     WASHINGTON (AP) —…

Democratic Women in Senate Call on Franken to Resign

FOX 9 KMSP

UPDATE: Amid calls for resignation from fellow Democrats, Franken will be making an announcement tomorrow, according to his office. (KMSP) – At least seven Democratic women in the U.S. Senate are calling on Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota to resign after the latest allegation of sexual misconduct was published Wednesday morning. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Sen. Mazie Hirono‏ of…

Sen. Franken Denies Allegation He Forcibly Tried to Kiss Woman

Sen. Franken Has Been Accused of Harassing Multiple Women

UPDATE: Several female Democratic senators unite in calling for Sen. Al Franken to resign amid sexual misconduct allegations. In Facebook posts and Tweets, the women said the two-term senator should step aside after a fresh allegation that he forcibly tried to kiss a woman in 2006. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand wrote on Facebook that while Franken is entitled to have the Ethics…

Duluth City Council Passes Mayor’s Budget Proposal

Budget Includes $2 Million in Cuts to City Spending

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth City Council has passed Mayor Emily Larson’s controversial 2018 budget proposal. The budget includes a $1 million increase to the street maintenance fund, a slight property tax increase, and about $2 million in cuts to city spending. City Council President Joel Sipress tells us the cuts mean a “significant” reduction to city staff, including the…

Minnesota Budget Forecast Swings from $1.65 Billion Surplus to $188 Million Deficit

FOX 9 KMSP

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) – Minnesota is facing a $188 million deficit, according to the latest projection from the state budget office. Last year at this time, Minnesota Management and Budget officials had a projected budget surplus of a $1.4 billion – a surplus that grew to $1.65 billion in the March projection. The deficit is expected to grow to $586 million in the next…

Sen. Schoen Submits Official Resignation Letter

ROSE HEAPHY - FOX 9

Sen. Dan SchoenST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) – State Senator Daniel Schoen submitted his official resignation to Governor Mark Dayton Monday afternoon after multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. Accusations of misconduct were first reported by MinnPost last month. Rep. Erin Maye Quade also told Fox 9 she received a series of inappropriate text messages from Schoen. About two weeks ago, Schoen’s attorney confirmed he would resign from his…

Walker Moving Ahead with Plan to Drug Test Food Stamp Users

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is moving ahead with his plans to require able-bodied adults who receive food stamps to be screened for illegal drugs, even through questions remain over whether it’s allowed under federal law. The plan was approved by Republican-controlled Legislation more than two years ago, but it languished because it conflicts with federal rules….

Trump Offers Full Support for Embattled Republican Roy Moore

Roy Moore (AP) WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump endorsed embattled Republican Roy Moore in the Alabama Senate race on Monday, looking past sexual misconduct allegations against the GOP candidate to argue that his vote is needed in Congress. Trump tweeted early Monday that “Democrats refusal to give even one vote for massive Tax Cuts is why we need Republican…

GOP Nears Senate OK of Tax Bill After Flurry of Final Deals

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans used a burst of eleventh-hour horse-trading Friday to edge to the brink of Senate passage of a $1.4 trillion tax bill, as a party starved all year for a major legislative triumph took a giant step toward giving President Donald Trump one of his top priorities by Christmas. “We have the votes,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch…

Walker Signs Bill Tightening Election Recount Requirements

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Gov. Scott Walker has just made it harder to ask for an election recount in Wisconsin. Walker on Thursday signed into law a bill introduced in reaction to Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein’s 2016 recount request in Wisconsin after she finished a distant fourth. Under the new law, only candidates who trail the winner by…

Trump Weighs Plan to Replace Tillerson with CIA’s Pompeo

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (AP) WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is discussing a plan to oust Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and replace him with CIA Director Mike Pompeo in a major shake-up of President Donald Trump’s national security team, administration officials said Thursday. The move would put Pompeo, a former congressman who has grown close to Trump…

Wisconsin Senate Leaders Say Sex Complaints Should Remain Secret

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Republican and Democratic leaders in the state Senate say sexual harassment complaints in their chamber should remain secret. The Assembly and Senate chief clerks refused to release complaints their offices have received over the last decade, saying releasing them would discourage reporting. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said Thursday that he and Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling…

New Accuser Comes Forward Against Sen. Franken

Fifth Women Accuses Franken of Harassment

WASHINGTON, D.C.-An Army veteran has accused Minnesota Sen. Al Franken of inappropriately touching her more than a decade ago while she was on a military deployment to Kuwait She’s identified in CNN’s Thursday report as Stephanie Kemplin, 41, of Maineville, Ohio. She is the fifth woman in the last two weeks to accuse the embattled Franken of sexual harassment allegations….

Duluthians Weigh In on How City Should Spend Federal Funds

$2.8 Million Will Go to Help Low and Moderate Income People in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluthians gave their input as to how the city should spend $2.8 million in federal funding to help low and moderate income people. The Community Development Committee got more than sixty written and verbal comments as to how the money should be spent. The suggestions ranged from increased funding to low income housing, to the Keen Creek…

Top Dems Pull Out of Trump Meeting After His Twitter Attack

(AP) WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress’ top Democratic leaders abruptly pulled out of a planned meeting Tuesday with President Donald Trump after he attacked them on Twitter, casting doubt on the prospects for a quick agreement to avert a government shutdown at the end of next week. Trump tweeted early Tuesday that “I don’t see a deal!” with Senate Minority Leader…

Assembly Leaders Refuse to Release Harassment Complaints

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Assembly leaders say complaints about sexual harassment or misconduct by legislators or their staffers shouldn’t be released to the public. Republican Speaker Robin Vos and Democratic Minority Leader Gordon Hintz said during a news conference Tuesday that there have been complaints filed in the past but they shouldn’t be released to protect people’s privacy. Vos added…

House Panel to Weigh Bill Expanding Gun Rights

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans moved forward on legislation to expand gun owners’ rights, the first gun-related measure since mass shootings in Las Vegas and Texas killed more than 80 people. The Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote Wednesday on a National Rifle Association-supported bill that would allow a gun owner with a state-issued concealed carry permit to carry a…

Sen. Al Franken To Return To Work ‘Embarrassed and Ashamed’

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota Sen. Al Franken broke his silence Sunday after being swept into a nationwide tide of sexual harassment allegations, saying he feels “embarrassed and ashamed” but looks forward to returning to work on Monday and gradually regaining voters’ trust. The Democrat spoke to a handful of media outlets in Minnesota in the first interviews he’s granted after…

Trump Wants to End Welfare as Bill Clinton Knows It

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci) WASHINGTON (AP) – Overhauling welfare was one of the defining goals of Bill Clinton’s presidency, starting with a campaign promise to “end welfare as we know it,” continuing with a bitter policy fight and producing change that remains hotly debated 20 years later. Now, President Donald Trump wants to put his stamp on the welfare system, apparently…

Franken Apologizes After Allegations of Sexual Misconduct

(KMSP) – In a Thanksgiving Day statement, Senator Al Franken is apologizing to Minnesotans and making a commitment to regain their trust after multiple allegations of sexual misconduct have been brought to light. This latest statement comes a day after the Huffington Post published an article, in which two women described being groped on the buttocks by Franken during political…

Dayton Reaches Out to Franken Amid Misconduct Stories

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton says he reached out to Sen. Al Franken “on a personal level” after a swirl of allegations of improper conduct. The Democratic governor said Wednesday he has no insight into how Franken will respond to pressure over questions about misconduct. Franken was accused last week of forcibly kissing a woman during…

City of Superior sees tax decrease for residents in 2018

Superior residents should see a 2.17% decrease in their tax bill for 2018

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Property taxes are decreasing for superior residents in 2018. Mayor Jim Paine says the final budget numbers are in and that comes with 2.17% decrease in the overall property tax bill for residents. Paine tells us after several years of tax increases for the City of Superior, he’s pleased to see the budget heading in a different…

Rep. Cornish to Resign Following Sexual Harassment Allegations

Rep. Tony CornishST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) – Following allegations of sexual harassment, Representative Tony Cornish announced he will be resigning from his position at the Capitol by December 1. His announcement comes about an hour after the lawyer for Sen. Dan Schoen announced Schoen’s plans to resign after sexual harassment allegations came to light. “As a proud former peace officer and longtime champion for…

Minnesota Sen. Schoen to Resign Amid Sexual Misconduct Accusations

BRETT BACHMAN - FOX 9

Sen. Dan SchoenST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) – Minnesota Sen. Dan Schoen’s attorney confirmed to the Associated Press Tuesday that the embattled state politician will resign over sexual harassment allegations first reported in the MinnPost. Schoen, a Democrat who represents St. Paul Park and also works as a police officer there, denied “ever making inappropriate contact with anyone,” though the city’s police department put Schoen on…

Minnesota Announces $26M in High-Speed Internet Grants

ST. PAUL, Minn. – State officials have announced $26 million in grants to expand high-speed internet access in Greater Minnesota. Lt. Gov. Tina Smith and the Department of Employment and Economic Development announced the 2017 Border-to-Border Broadband Grant recipients Tuesday. The latest grants go to 39 broadband infrastructure projects across Minnesota aimed at providing access to reliable and affordable high-speed…

Trump Pardons Thanksgiving Turkeys Drumstick and Wishbone

Wishbone, one of the two turkeys set to be pardoned by Trump is previewed by members of the press. (AP) WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is using his pardon power to keep a pair of turkeys from the Thanksgiving roaster. Trump continued the annual presidential tradition during an event Tuesday in the White House Rose Garden. The act of…

Past SNL Performers, Staff Sign Statement Supporting Franken

No One from SNL Claim Franken Acted Inappropriately

MINNEAPOLIS-A group of women who worked alongside Al Franken on NBC’s”Saturday Night Live” have signed a statement of support for the Minnesota senator. Last week, broadcaster Leeann Tweeden accused Franken, a Democrat, of forcibly kissing her during a USO tour in 2006. Another woman says he placed his hand on her buttocks while posing for a photo at the Minnesota…

Packed Council Chambers Discusses Paid Sick And Safe Time

Task Force Gives Two Recommendations To City Council

DULUTH, Minn- The Earned Sick and Safe Time Task Force recommended the Duluth City Council adopt an ordinance that would provide two alternatives for businesses to give paid time off to workers who don’t currently get any. In a survey conducted by the task force, data shows that 46% of workers within the Duluth currently aren’t getting any sick and…

Second Woman Accuses Sen. Franken of Touching Her Inappropriately in 2010

Allegations First Surfaced Last Week of Sen. Franken Harassing Radio Host in 2006

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is renewing his call for the chamber’s ethics committee to investigate Sen. Al Franken after a second woman came forward to accuse him of sexual harassment. Lindsay Menz told CNN that the Minnesota Democrat grabbed her bottom as the pair posed for a photo at the Minnesota State Fair in 2010. Menz’s allegation comes…