ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Republicans’ candidate for governor from 2014 is running again in 2018. Jeff Johnson announced a bid for the open seat Wednesday. The Hennepin County Commission lost to Governor Mark Dayton by roughly 5 percentage points in 2014. But Dayton isn’t running for a third term, setting off a scramble to replace him in what is…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The state Assembly has approved a bill that would create stiffer ignition interlock rules for drunken drivers. The bipartisan-supported measure passed Wednesday would prohibit all repeat offenders as well as first-time offenders with a blood alcohol percentage of 0.15 or greater from drivinga ny vehicle without an ignition interlock. State law already requires all offenders to…
Duluth, Minn. — The Duluth Planning Commission voted Tuesday night to change a portion of land near the Proctor border from residential used to mixed-use. This come as Kwik Trip wants to move into the area. The location is on Boundary Avenue and U.S. Hwy 2. It was one week ago when residents from Proctor packed a Kwik Trip open…
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump abruptly fired FBI Director James Comey Tuesday, saying it was necessary to restore “public trust and confidence” in the nation’s top law enforcement agency following several tumultuous months. “The FBI is one of our nation’s most cherished and respected institutions, and today will mark a new beginning for our crown jewel of law enforcement,”…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A bill that would have prevented Wisconsin’s presidential election recount is gaining momentum in the state Legislature. The Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections voted 6-3 to send to the full Assembly a Republican proposal that would limit who can request recounts in state and local elections. Under the bill, only candidates who trail the winner…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Republicans who control the legislature are preparing to challenge Gov. Mark Dayton over the budget. The two sides have been meeting privately for a week to has out their different versions for the next two-year budget. But the GOP appeared to reverse course Monday night, taking steps to send the Democratic governor their own budget…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth city council was undecided on a resolution Monday night that would perhaps give the local government more localized power to make decisions. But multiple city council members felt the resolution could potentially cost the city of Duluth millions of dollars in bonding money for future projects if the council moved forward with the resolution. The…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – A Superior city council candidate who lost by one vote last month to the now-resigning Graham Garfield says he’ll run for the seat again if the council chooses to appoint a replacement. “In the end, depending on what the council decides, I’m looking to rise to the challenge an serve this city and the constituents who voted…
Justice David Stras MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (AP) – President Donald Trump has nominated Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justice David Stras to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Stras formerly clerked for conservative U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and shares the belief in a limited role for the judiciary. The 42-year-old former University of Minnesota Law School professor was on…
DULUTH, Minn. (Press Release) – Dave Zbaracki, a Democrat, Congdon resident, veteran of Duluth’s outdoor sports industry, and 5th generation Duluthian, announced his candidacy for City Council in the 2nd District, challenging current City Council President, Joel Sipress, on Saturday in a Facebook post. Zbaracki, 34, is running on a platform of improving public health and accessibility, expanding our sharing…
DULUTH, Minn. – IAFF Local 101 Duluth Firefighters have announced their endorsement of Duluth City Council 4th District candidate, Renee Van Nett, and at-large candidates incumbent Zack Filipovich and Rich Updegrove. Local 101 President Pete Johnson, praised all candidates on their accessibility to their constituents, involvement in the community, and their understanding and value of city services, such as the fire department….
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Superior city council president Dan Olson spoke out Thursday evening after councilor Graham Garfield had a change of heart and released a statement that he would be resigning after all. “Right now, for me, it’s a relief because we were put in a bad situation because of the stuff going on with Mr. Garfield,” Olson explained. “I…
DULUTH, Minn. – A new study By national transportation resarch group TRIP says 69% of Duluth roads are rated either mediocre or poor. Staggering as that figure is, the number is expected to go up by 80 percent by 2020. A transportation sales tax raised $100 million in road improvement revenue but officials say they need more help from the…
(AP) – The Republican push to replace the Affordable Care Act was revived this week in Congress by a change to their plan designed to combat concerns over coverage for those with pre-existing health problems. The change helped get the bill through the House of Representatives in a tight vote Thursday, but experts say it may make little difference in…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – A Republican lawmaker wants to bump up Minnesota’s smoking age to 21 in an effort to lower the number of teen smokers. The Star Tribune reports that a bill introduced Thursday would raise the minimum age to buy tobacco in Minnesota from 18 to 21. The bill was brought to the Legislature days after Edina…
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Relieved Republicans have pushed their prized health care bill through the House. The mostly party-line 217-213 vote advances a bill that addresses their longtime pledge to erase the 2010 Obama health care law. Thursday’s vote sends the measure to the Senate. Many senators consider the House bill too harsh and it’s expected to undergo substantial changes. The House…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Advocates against domestic violence say they are not standing down on their mission to get Superior city councilor Graham Garfield to resign amid domestic abuse charges. The Feminist Justice League has launched a Change.org petition for Garfield’s removal, which will be delivered to the city council at a later date. The League plans to also picket outside…
PROCTOR, Minn. — It was standing room only at the Proctor Black Woods Wednesday night where residents and business owners sounded off against a proposed Kwik Trip on Boundary Avenue and U.S. Hwy 2 in Duluth. The people who showed up came from not only Duluth but also Proctor. “Every place they build a mom and pop operation has gone…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Big box stores in Wisconsin are begin targeted in a pair of bipartisan-backed bills circulating in the state Legislature. The bill unveiled Wednesday set up a fight pitting retail giants like Menards, Lowe’s, and ShopKo against Wisconsin cities and villages. The issue is how the value of the operating stores is determined for property taxes. The…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Governor Mark Dayton is entering the final stage of his eight years in office with his highest ever approval rating. The Star Tribune reports that 62 percent of voters approved of the Democratic governor’s job performance. It’s his highest rating since Dayton took office in 2011, and also exceeds his previous ratings during a single…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Superior city councilor Graham Garfield broke his silence Tuesday in a written statement one hour before the city council meeting. This, as Garfield faces four domestic abuse charges involving a gun, and as Mayor Jim Paine continues to stand by his public statement calling for Garfield’s resignation. FOX 21 tried to get an on-camera statement as Garfield…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Superior City Councilor Graham Garfield has issued a statement after requests for comment amid charges of domestic violence and a request from Superior Mayor Jim Paine to resign from his position. The statement is as follows: “In response to ongoing legal matters and the mayor’s request that I resign my position, I have decided it will be…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Gov. Scott Walker says he looks forward to signing a package of bills designed to fight opioid abuse in Wisconsin. The state Senate gave final approval to nine bills Tuesday that are focused on increasing the effort to stop drug overdoses and fight to abuse of opioids, heroin and methamphetamine in the state. The bills passed…
MADISON, Wis.-Robot delivery vehicles may soon be cruising down sidewalks in some Wisconsin cities. The state Senate was set to pass a bill Tuesday that would legalize the delivery robots. The proposal would still have to pass the Assembly and be signed by Gov. Scott Walker before becoming law. The robots are essentially high–tech rolling coolers loaded with sensors that…
ST. PAUL, Minn.-Minnesota’s Republican Legislature isn’t backing down from Gov. Mark Dayton’s veto threats as lawmakers finalize their budget offer. The Legislature started piecing together budget bills Monday as legislative leaders prepared to head into negotiations with the Democratic governor. That’s where the real work of agreeing to a two–year budget will take place. And it won’t be easy. Republicans’…
MADISON, Wis.-Wisconsin lawmakers are set to vote on nearly a dozen bills designed to combat opioid addiction. Republican Rep. John Nygren has written 11 bills based on recommendations from Gov. Scott Walker’s opioid task force. Walker called a special legislative session in January to pass the measures. The Senate is expected to vote Tuesday on nine bills, including measures calling…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A Madison attorney and first-time candidate who has been a longtime Democratic donor is running for the state Supreme Court. Tim Burns said Monday that he will challenge conservative incumbent Justice Michael Gableman in the April 2018 election. Gableman wrote the majority opinion in 2014 upholding Gov. Scott Walker’s Act 10 law that took away union…
WASHINGTON (AP) – Congress has sent President Donald Trump a short-term spending bill preventing a partial government shutdown on Saturday, his 100th day in office. But lawmakers have failed to take action on two measures Trump would love to claim as victories. Bipartisan talks are continuing over remaining issues in a $1 trillion measure financing federal agencies through September 30….
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Earlier this week, the Trump Administration sparked controversy when the President announced a new import tax on Canadian soft timber. President Trump unveiled a new tax of up to 24 percent on imported Canadian soft timber, claiming Canada’s lumber industry is government subsidized. Canadian leaders deny those claims, and say they’re prepared to fight what they call…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Governor Mark Dayton wants his administration to oversee the state’s preservation agency instead of the Minnesota Historical Society. Dayton says the agency would be more efficient and accountable if it’s moved to the executive branch. The governor support for a bill that would accomplish the move comes months after the Historical Society took a stand…
LONDON (AP) — A unique copy of the U.S. Declaration of Independence has been discovered in an unexpected place – England. The copy, similar to the one viewed by millions each year at the National Archives in Washington has been locked away in a local records office in southeast England forgotten by historians. Its significance wasn’t understood until recently, when…
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded Minnesota with $5,379,349 to combat opioid addiction. The $5.3 million grant will support an array of prevention, treatment, and recovery services throughout the state. “As I’ve traveled across Minnesota, I’ve heard time and again how opioid addiction is tearing apart communities and…
MADISON, Wis. – Governor Scott Walker has announced that the state will receive $7,636,938 in federal grant money to help combat the state’s opioid epidemic. “We will continue our work to implement the most effective and efficient practices, aimed at prevention, recovery, and treatment, to bring healing to the individuals, families, and communities overwhelmed by this public health crisis,” said…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – A Republican Ramsey County commissioner is entering the race for Minnesota governor in 2018. Blake Huffman announced his bid Wednesday is St. Paul for the seat Gov. Mark Dayton will vacate after serving out his second term. He has served on the Ramsey County board since 1012 after a stint on Shoreview’s City Council. Huffman…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Abortions would no longer be covered by health insurance plans for Wisconsin state employees under a Republican-backed bill working its way through the Legislature. But it’s unclear weather the measure up for a hearing Wednesday will win approval this year even with stronger Republican majorities when it failed to pass in 2013. And even if it…
CLOQUET, Minn. – A different kind of vigil was held outside Cloquet City Hall Tuesday that didn’t involve a death. It was instead a community effort to close what some consider a growing divide between the City Council, residents, and the Police Department. This all stems around Police Chief Steve Stracek, who was put on paid administrative leave about a…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Mayor Jim Paine and new city councilors Jenny Van Sickle and Craig Sutherland were sworn in Tuesday at the Superior City Council meeting. Mayor Paine thanked the community for electing him and talked about how he plans to move the city forward. “We have a lot to accomplish together. Our city faces some very real challenges in…
Duluth, Minn. — City council president Joel Sipress kicked off his re-election campaign Monday. Sipress is running for re–election to Duluth’s 2nd Dist. seat. Supporters gathered at Sara’s Table to hear the candidate discuss issues he hopes to address in the community. “We’re getting a good, active start,” Sipress said. “We’re going to be working hard and talking with people…
DULUTH, Minn. – There’s another candidate vying for one of the Duluth City Council’s two at-large seats. Duluth Planning Commissioner Janet Kennedy officially announced she’s running Friday. Kennedy ran for the district 5 seat in 2015, but lost the election to Councilor Jay Fosle. A kickoff event is planned for Sunday, April 23rd at 1:30 p.m. at Civic Center Park…
Joseph JakubowskiMILWAUKEE – Sheriff’s officials say a man suspected of stealing firearms from a gun store and sending President Donald Trump an anti-government manifesto has been arrested in southwestern Wisconsin. The Rock County Sheriff’s Office says 32-year-old Joseph Jakubowski was captured around 6 a.m. Friday near Readstown, Wisconsin. The sheriff’s office said in a statement that he was captured without…
DULUTH, Minn. – Mayor Emily Larson and other city officials announced a new initiative to reduce Duluth’s carbon footprint. The Canal Park steam plant, Duluth Energy Systems, is going completely coal free for the next seven months. Mayor Larson believes this pilot initiative is a big step toward her goal of reducing Duluth’s carbon emissions by 80% before the year…
DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar was in Duluth today leading a transportation summit to exchange ideas and opinions about infrastructure challenges in Minnesota. Transportation and business leaders from across Northeastern Minnesota talked with Senator Klobuchar about what they think is needed to improve infrastructure across the region. That includes a lot more than roads and highways. Improvements to…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota’s top tax official says deep cuts to state budgets could result in months-long delays to tax returns next year. Republicans who control the Legislature have laid out some major cuts to state agencies including the Department of Revenue. That’s the agency that processes tax filings annually. Commissioner Cynthia Bauerly said Tuesday that plotted cuts…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Republican lawmakers say they want to combat a rapidly declining bee population by giving Wisconsin beekeepers tax exemptions. Representative Amy Loudenbeck said in a memo Tuesday she and Senator Steve Nass are seeking co-sponsors on a bill that would define beekeeping in state law. It would also extend to beekeepers sales and use tax exemptions on…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – A recount held in Superior today, upheld last week’s results for one city council seat. It was requested by Tylor Elm, who was running for a Sixth District seat against incumbent Graham Garfield. Garfield won last week’s election by one vote. Today’s recount came out the exact same way for Garfield. Categories: News, News – Latest News, Political…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Olympic medal winners in Wisconsin wouldn’t have to pay taxes on their winnings under a Republican proposal. Representative Joe Sanfelippo and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said in a news release Monday they’re circulating a bill that would repeal state taxes on Olympic and Paralympic winnings. Olympic medals are worth a few hundred dollars and come with…
WASHINGTON – Representative Rick Nolan will be holding listening sessions across Minnesota’s 8th District to discuss healthcare issues, President Trump’s proposed budget, and hear questions and concerns from constituents. Wednesday, April 12 Nolan Listening Session in Grand Rapids 11:00am-12:00pm Grand Rapids City Hall, Council Chambers 420 N Pokegema Ave Grand Rapids, MN Nolan Listening Session in Virginia 2:30pm-3:30pm Virginia Council…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Democratic Governor Mark Dayton says he would veto a bill allowing a Canadian energy company to bypass Minnesota regulators and build a replacement for an aging pipeline. Dayton said Friday that Enbridge Energy’s $7.5 billion Line 3 pipeline replacement should be vetted by the Public Utilities Commission before it gets approval to begin construction. The…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) _ Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton has signaled a possible compromise on Real ID after saying he doesn’t believe he can allow immigrants living in the country illegally to obtain driver’s licenses without legislative approval. Dayton said Monday that legislation is needed this session to be compliant with federal ID standards. Without a bill, a January 2018…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – The House plans to take up a $14.3 billion social services bill that would end the state’s health care exchange and send Minnesota residents to the federal marketplace instead. The bill to be heard Friday increases spending by nearly $2 billion compared to the last two years. But that increase wouldn’t keep pace with rising…
