MADISON, Wis. (AP) – An Assembly committee has approved three Republican bills that would impose stiffer penalties and ignition interlock requirements for drunken drivers. The proposals from Representative Jim Ott and Senator Alberta Darling would create a five-year minimum prison sentence for homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, raise the minimum incarceration period for fifth and sixth offenses from…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – A tight race for the Superior City Council District 6 seat after spring elections took place Tuesday. Tylor Elm and incumbent Graham Garfield squared off in the race for District 6, and with unofficial results having Garfield winning by a single vote 142 to 141, a recount request has been made. Elm verbally requested a recount, and will…
WASHINGTON (FOX NEWS) – President Trump’s controversial chief strategist, Stephen Bannon, was removed from the National Security Council on Wednesday, Fox News confirmed. Bannon was put on the NSC’s “Principals Committee” as a check on former National Security Adviser Lt. Gen. Mike Flynn to make sure Flynn carried through with a directive to depoliticize the NSC, a senior administration official…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – About 16 percent of Wisconsin’s voting-age population cast ballots in the state’s spring election. That’s in line with the turnout prediction by the Wisconsin Elections Commission. It estimated turnout of between 13 percent and 18 percent in Tuesday’s election. The race for state superintendent of public instruction was the only statewide race on the ballot, although…
Officially with 58% of the vote, Jim Paine is now the Mayor of Superior. Paine defeated City Councilman Brent Fennessey by over 700 votes. Paine announced his candidacy back in October of 2016 when then Mayor Bruce Hagen decided it was time to step down. Jim Paine is allowed to start moving into the Mayor’s office tomorrow. Current Mayor Bruce…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The president of a tribe that plans to withhold nearly $1 million from the state over a casino dispute told Wisconsin lawmakers and officials Tuesday that the state will be stronger if tribal leaders and state leaders are “united as allies.” Stockbridge-Munsee President Shannon Holsey did not refer to the tribe’s threat to withhold gambling payments…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Months after Gov. Scott Walker called on the Legislature to take swift action to combat the state’s opioid epidemic, the state Assembly has passed nine pieces of Legislation. The Assembly, on Tuesday, passed all but two of 11 bills Republican Rep. John Nygren wrote based on recommendations from Walker’s opioid task force, which he co-chairs. The…
DULUTH, Minn. – Today is Equal Pay Day because, according to the National Committee on Pay Equity, April 4th is how far women have to work into 2017 to earn what men did in 2016. Over fifty years after the passage of the Equal Pay Act, women continue to earn about eighty percent as much money as men. A rally…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – The Minnesota House has approved a $3.2 billion education bill that would freeze tuition next year for the state’s two-year and technical colleges but will likely raise it at the University of Minnesota. The bill passed Tuesday in the Republican-controlled House mostly along party lines by a vote of 77-53. Republicans say their bill helps…
Mayor Emily Larson teamed up with County Attorney Mark Rubin who issued their own proclamation. St. Louis County Court House was littered with supports of the cause as they declared April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Experts spoke up for the need to understand that it is a difficult subject to talk about, but silence is never the answer. “You…
Superior, Wis. The City of Superior is gearing up for a new mayor to be elected in less than 24 hours from now. It was October of 2016 when current mayor Bruce Hagen decided that it was in his best interest to step aside and let another candidate take the realm. Brent Fennessey and Jim Paine have done all they…
MADISON, Wisc. (AP) – The president of a tribe that plans to withhold nearly $1 million from the state over a casino dispute will deliver the annual State of the Tribes address to the Wisconsin Legislature. Stockbridge-Munsee President Shannon Holsey is scheduled to give a speech Tuesday afternoon. The Stockbridge-Munsee has warned the state it intends to withhold gambling payments…
Neil Gorsuch speaks at his nomination hearing to the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 on Capitol Hill in Washignton. (Lauren Victoria Burke for The Denver Post)WASHINGTON (AP) – A divided Senate panel is backing Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch. A Judiciary Committee voted 11-9 along party lines on Monday to favorably…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Earlier this year, “Nevertheless She Persisted” became a feminist battle cry after Republican Senator Mitch McConnell made disparaging comments towards Democratic colleague Elizabeth Warren. Women across the country have the phrase tattooed on their bodies, including dozens who lined up today at Ink Tattoo in Superior for their own empowerment tattoo. “It’s something that I think has…
ST. PAUL, Minn. –The Minnesota House passed its environmental finance bill that Republicans say will help “slow down the government spending spree.” The $1.2 billion legislation passed 80–53 late Thursday night. Republican Rep. Dan Fabian, of Roseau, says the bill will speed up the environmental review process and restructure how some state agencies operate. Democrats had fought hard, saying the…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – The Minnesota House has approved a transportation bill that Republicans say will help the state begin work on much-needed road and bridge projects. The nearly $2.2 billion legislation passed by a vote of 76-54. Lawmakers continued their perennial battles over light rail projects and what funding sources to use for transportation projects. Republican Rep. Paul…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota is now one step closer to federal compliance after the Senate passed the REAL ID legislation. The bill passed 60-7 Thursday night. Republican Senator Eric Pratt of Prior Lake amended the bill to remove a divisive provision. There was little resistance for the legislation during its second attempt at passage, through some Republicans still…
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar helped introduce a bill today that would require prescription drug monitoring programs for all states that receive federal funding for opioid abuse. It would also make prescription data available across stateliness, making it easier for doctors to be more familiar with patients who have drug-seeking behavior. Klobuchar said the legislation was inspired by the opioid…
VIRGINIA, Minn. – Studies say Pre–K is essential to children’s development which is why Gov. Mark Dayton wants to make sure as many as 17,000 4-year-olds can attend Pre–K. “We can do more good to benefit the kids than we can when the kids are older,” said Virginia School Superintendent Dr. Noel Schmidt. Dr. Schmidt isn’t the only one over…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A Wisconsin state Senate committee is considering a package of anti-crime bills, including three that would impose harsher punishments on youth who commit crimes. The proposals up for a hearing Wednesday, could land more children in Wisconsin’s youth prison for a wider range of crimes and keep them there longer, despite an ongoing FBI investigation into…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Senate Republicans are pursing deep tax cuts over the next two years for students, families, and those on Social Security. The almost $900 million sought in their bill released Wednesday, directs over half of those breaks to individual taxes. The lowest tax bracket would shrink by over a quarter of a percent. Republican Senator Roger…
Wrenshall, Minn. Wrenshall School District is hoping to invest 12.5 million dollars into their school system if a proposed referendum is passed Tonight hundreds showed up to the meeting held by the school board to make sure their voices were heard. The referendum discussed tonight has been years I the making. Some approve while some are apprehensive It was a…
DULUTH, Minn. – While local cab companies aren’t happy, the Duluth City Council passed an ordinance Monday, allowing ride share companies like Uber and Lyft to operate in the city. Meanwhile, Uber and Lyft are excited to enter the Duluth market. In a statement to FOX 21, an Uber spokesperson said “We’re pleased that the Duluth city council passed regulations…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Native American leaders in Wisconsin will give their annual State of the Tribes address to the Legislature and constitutional officers on April 4. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said, in a news release Tuesday, that Stockbridge-Munsee tribe President Shannon Holsey will give the speech this year. Vos said in the release the State of the Tribes address,…
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (KMSP) – A federal lawsuit has been filed by two Minnesota farm wineries, challenging the state’s ban on using out-of-state grapes to make wine. The wineries point to Minnesota’s booming beer industry, with some of the most successful breweries like Summit and Surly using out-of-state hops to craft signature beers. Represented by attorneys with the Institute of Justice,…
SUPERIOR, Wis.-Superior Mayor Bruce Hagen has announced he has a terminal illness. Hagen was diagnosed with a lung disease recently, which causes the tissue in the lungs to become thicker or even scar. It eventually leads to making it harder to move oxygen throughout the body. The diagnosis could lead to Hagen living another three to five years. Hagen announced…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Senate Republicans want big cuts for many of Minnesota’s social services program, and state officials and Democrats say that could harm some of the state’s most vulnerable residents. The $15.4 billion bill released Monday shows a $671 million gap between Governor Mark Dayton’s and the Senate GOP’s budget proposals for all health and human services…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Adults who allow teenagers to drink in their homes would be breaking the law under a new bill two Republican lawmakers are circulating. Current law prohibits adults from allowing underage drinkers to consume alcohol in premises owned by the adults or under their control. But a state appeals court ruling last year narrowly interpreted “premises” to…
WASHINGTON–Rep. Tim Walz, a five–term Democrat, says he is running for governor of his home state of Minnesota. Walz is seeking to replace Gov. Mark Dayton, a fellow Democrat. A spokesman for Walz’ gubernatorial campaign confirmed his decision. Walz is the top Democrat on the Veterans Affairs Committee. He first won election to his rural district along Minnesota’s southern border…
Van Nett Listening Session
DULUTH, Minn. – There’s another candidate hoping to fill one of the Duluth City Council’s two at–large seats. Rich Updegrove offically kicked off his campaign Saturday. Updegrove wants to focus on housing, homeless rights as well as keeping Lake Superior clean. “I really want to place our lake at the forefront of what I’m doing,” said Updegrove. “I think it’s…
DULUTH, Minn. – Fourth District Duluth City Council candidate, Renee Van Nett, has announced she will be starting a series of listening sessions with the community. Residents of the 4th District are encouraged to come out and share their comments and concerns. Van Nett is working toward building positive relationships within the community and ensuring that the 4th District is…
DULUTH, Minn.-Some local doctors and politicians came together today to express their dismay over the possibility of repealing the Affordable Care Act. The Northland HealthCare Alliance, headed up the event, with the goal of making the community aware of what a repeal of the ACA would mean. One Duluth City Council also expressed concern, believing many Northlanders would lose health…
WASHINGTON (AP) – Speaker Paul Ryan has abruptly pulled the Republicans’ troubled health care overhaul off the House floor. The decision was a humiliating setback for President Donald Trump and congressional leaders. The bill had appeared all but certain to be defeated Friday. The roll call was on track to occur in about an hour. The measure has been a…
(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump says, “It’s a great day for American jobs” after his administration issued a permit to build the long-delayed Keystone XL pipeline. The decision marks a reversal from the Obama administration and clears the way for the $8 billion project to be completed. The president says the decision ushers in a “new era”…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is calling for the U.S. House to vote on the Republican plan to overhaul the national health care law. Walker said on Twitter Friday morning that “House members need to vote to repeal Obamacare today.” He says this is the chance to “more process forward” to get rid of the current law,…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin’s state budget could be more than $1 billion in the red by 2021, based on the proposal submitted by Governor Scott Walker that the Legislature is considering. The nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau released an updated analysis of the state budget for the two years after the period covered by Walker’s current budget proposal. It finds…
HIBBING, Minn. – The proposed federal budget concerns another local community. This time the focus is on Hibbing’s Range Regional Airport. As one of 12 weekly flights from Range Regional Airport prepared for take–off Thursday, airport officials’ thoughts were in Washington, D.C. as the Federal Aviation Administration Re-Authorization Bill hits Congress. “The FAA Re-Authorization Bill is reintroduced every couple of…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Northland’s tenth Honor Flight will depart Duluth next month for Washington D.C., but they still need help to get there. Honor Flight Northland is hosting a spaghetti dinner fundraiser this Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the All American Club, 1931 West Michigan Street. Dinner is $10 per person. All money raised will fund sending…
SUPERIOR, Wisc. – Jim Paine says he feels he’s feeling good as Election Day approaches. The candidate for mayor of Superior had a strong performance in last month’s primary, receiving nearly 600 more votes than his opponent Brent Fennessey. According to Paine, eight labor organization and more than two dozen current and former elected officials have come forward to endorse…
SUPERIOR, Wisc. – Only 11 days remain before the City of Superior takes on new leadership. Thursday morning, Mayor Bruce Hagen announced he is endorsing mayoral candidate Brent Fennessey. “I believe that Brent Fennessey is the candidate and the only candidate that has these qualifications and proven experience,” said Mayor Bruce Hagen. Hagen believes Fennessey has a young, fresh vision…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – House Republicans are taking a defiant stand against Governor Mark Dayton by proposing the elimination of his signature early childhood education program. The proposed cuts announced Thursday are very different from Dayton’s proposed $175 million addition to the program and signals that a larger fight looms as lawmakers and the governor search for compromise. Dayton…
WASHINGTON (AP) – House Republican leaders have postponed a vote on their health care bill in a setback for President Donald Trump and Speaker Paul Ryan. Prospects for the Republicans’ showcase health care bill had looked grimmer by the minute Thursday, despite Trump’s personal lobbying of conservatives. That still left the legislation short of the votes needed for passage. A…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota lawmakers’ budget-setting spree is in full swing. Cuts to state agencies and big tax breaks began to materialize this week as House and Senate Republicans started releasing detailed budget plans with a $1.65 billion surplus in hand. Both chambers are plotting a roughly $45 billion budget for the next two years that puts a…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Former Democratic Senator Russ Feingold is starting a new nonprofit political advocacy group focused on voters’ rights, campaign finance reform, protecting the independence of the U.S. Supreme Court and abolishing the Electoral College. Feingold announced the new group, called LegitAction, on Wednesday. It comes four months after he lost a rematch for the U.S. Senate against…
Superior, Wis Tonight the City of Superior is looking to make a splash in the tourism industry by revamping two of its most treasured pieces of land. Wisconsin Point will finally see the benefits of thousands of dollars giving visitors and citizens a destination to look forward too for years to come. Broken down by mankind and the elements of…
DULUTH, Minn. – A group of Duluth second graders put to use their daily writing lesson, lobbying to keep a classroom helper on hand Tuesday. It all started with the inauguration of President Donald Trump. Each new President brings a new wish-list of ideas to the table when it comes to budget cuts. Nearly 200 senior citizens in the Twin…
DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth and St. Louis County officials voiced concerns over the proposed federal budget at a unique press conference Tuesday morning at City Hall. Duluth Mayor Emily Larson was joined by nearly 40 representatives from various state, county and city organizations. President Donald Trump’s proposed budget calls for massive cuts to nearly every federal department. Mayor Larson is…
Linda Seemeyer MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The head of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services says she doesn’t know how many people may lose insurance in the state under the proposed federal health care overhaul. Linda Seemeyer was asked about the proposal Tuesday during a forum hosted by Wisconsin Health News. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office predicted 24 million would…
Duluth, Minn Tonight, Mayor Emily Larson addressed the city with a speech that lacked length but packed a punch. Tonight in her state of the city address Mayor Emily Larson wanted to focus on three main points that would put the city on the right path for years to come. Larson says that throughout her first year she was laying…
