Political

Republican Eric Hovde Seeks To Unseat Democrat Baldwin In Wisconsin Race For US Senate

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republican businessman and real estate mogul Eric Hovde launched his bid for the U.S. Senate against Wisconsin Democratic incumbent Sen. Tammy Baldwin on Tuesday, saying in a video that “America is slipping away” and “everything is going in the wrong direction.” This is Hovde’s second Senate campaign; he ran in 2012 but lost in the GOP primary to former Gov….

Wisconsin’s Democratic Governor Signs His New Legislative Maps Into Law After Republicans Pass Them

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers signed new legislative district maps into law on Monday that he proposed and that the Republicans who control the Legislature passed to avoid having the liberal-controlled state Supreme Court draw the lines. Democrats hailed the signing as a major political victory in the swing state where the Legislature has been firmly under Republican…

Donald Trump Fraud Verdict: $364 Million Penalty In Civil Fraud Case

NEW YORK (AP) — A New York judge ruled Friday against Donald Trump, imposing a $364 million penalty over what the judge ruled was a yearslong scheme to dupe banks and others with financial statements that inflated the former president’s wealth. Judge Arthur Engoron issued his decision after a 2½-month trial that saw the Republican presidential front-runner bristling under oath…

MN Sen. Hauschild Identifies Priorities for Legislative Session

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Legislature is now in the third day of its new session, and Senator Grant Hauschild, (DFL) from Hermantown, has identified the issues his constituents believe are the most urgent. Following meetings with residents throughout the summer and fall, Hauschild says the need for EMS services, childcare availability, and housing in rural Minnesota stood out…

Newly elected Duluth City Councilor Janet Kennedy running for County Commissioner

DULUTH, MN – Newly elected Duluth City Councilor no longer wants the job. Three months in, Janet Kennedy has decided she will run for County Commissioner. Kennedy made the announcement standing on the St. Louis County Courthouse steps. Kennedy, in explaining her reason for changing her mind and wanting to switch jobs, said with her two major initiatives focused on…

Political Season Ramping Up, MN DFL Chair Visits Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — With the general elections only nine months away, political activity is ramping up. That includes getting out the vote, but before that, getting out to precinct caucuses. The chair of the Minnesota DFL party was making the rounds in the northland Tuesday. Ken Martin was encouraging people to mark their calendars for caucuses on February 27th, and…

The Supreme Court Seems Poised To Reject Efforts To Kick Trump Off The Ballot Over The Capitol Riot

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court seems poised to reject attempts to kick former President Donald Trump off the 2024 ballot. A definitive ruling for Trump, the leading Republican candidate for president, would largely end efforts in Colorado, Maine and elsewhere to prevent his name from appearing on the ballot. Conservative and liberal justices alike questioned during arguments Thursday whether Trump can be disqualified from being president again because of…

Special Counsel: Biden ‘Willfully’ Disclosed Classified Materials, But No Criminal Charges Warranted

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden “willfully” retained and disclosed highly classified materials when he was a private citizen, including documents about military and foreign policy in Afghanistan and other sensitive national security matters, according to a Justice Department report that nonetheless says no criminal charges are warranted for him or anyone else. The report from special counsel Robert Hur, released Thursday, represents…

Senate Republicans Block Bipartisan Border Package, Scuttling Deal They Had Demanded From Democrats

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans blocked a bipartisan border package Wednesday, scuttling months of negotiations with Democrats on legislation intended to cut back record numbers of illegal border crossings. Many Republicans said the election-year compromise wasn’t enough, even as supporters of the bill insisted it was the best possible in divided government. The 49-50 vote, far short of the 60 ayes…

One-On-One: Reinert Talks First Month As Duluth Mayor; ‘The Time Is Now’

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert is closing in on his first 30 days in office. And in his first sit-down interview since Inauguration Day, 53-year-old Reinert shares how the jobs is going so far, his management style and his lack of patience when it comes to the status quo. “You know, we need ‘the time is now’. Most…

Stauber Running Again for Congress

Announcement came Monday on a post from congressman's campaign.

Over the past week things have ramped up in Minnesota’s eighth district congressional race. The most recent development came Monday with Pete Stauber’s announcement that he will seek re-election. The congressman’s news did not come in a press release or press conference, but through his campaign’s post on social media. In the post, Stauber said in part, “…It’s not just…

Republican Joe Fraser Announces Campaign for U.S. Senate Seat

Fraser spoke at city hall today about his campaign and facing a three-term incumbent

DULUTH, Minn. — Navy veteran Joe Fraser has announced his campaign for Senate. The Republican candidate began his two-day press tour of Minnesota at Duluth City Hall this morning. He said his campaign will focus on border security and national debt. Fraser also criticized incumbent Democrat Amy Klobuchar. “It drives me nuts when people just assume that the incumbent is…

“Restore the Vote” Encourages Felons No Longer Incarcerated to Exercise Ballot Box Rights

Minnesota Secretary of State was in Duluth Friday to get the word out.

With another election season upon us, some will be voting for the first time, while others will have a chance to vote again—after a long time. Minnesota’s Secretary of State was in Duluth Friday for several Restore the Vote events, including at city hall. Steve Simon said one goal is to work with community leaders and citizens to get the…

Congressman Stauber Releases “Fact Check” On Blatnik Bridge

TWIN PORTS — Republican Pete Stauber of Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District was not at President Biden’s visit to the Twin Ports Thursday. Biden and democrats including Governor Walz have called Stauber a hypocrite for voting against Biden’s infrastructure bill, but taking credit, they say for the Blatnik funding in that bill. Congressman Stauber snapping back in a video online saying…

FOX 21’s Maria Vollom At Earth Rider Brewery Ready For President Biden’s Arrival

SUPERIOR, Wi. — FOX 21’s Maria Vollom provides an update from Earth Rider Brewery in Superior ahead of President Joe Biden arrival. He’ll be speaking about his Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, which includes $1B for the Blatnik Bridge reconstruction. FOX 21 will break into programming and stream live during the 1 p.m. hour for Biden’s remarks. Categories: Community, News, News –…

President Joe Biden Arrives To Twin Ports

DULUTH, Minn. — Live coverage of President Joe Biden arriving to the Twin Ports around 11:40 a.m.  Thursday. The President will then head over to Earth Rider Brewery in Superior around 1 p.m. to deliver remarks on “Investing in America and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” according to the White House. Fox 21 will continue to provide live updates. Categories: News,…

FOX 21 Live Coverage Thursday Of President Biden’s Visit To Twin Ports

DULUTH, Minn. — FOX 21 will break into programming within the 11 a.m. hour Thursday, as President Joe Biden lands in Duluth and heads over to Earth Rider Brewery in Superior around 1 p.m. to deliver remarks on “Investing in America and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” according to the White House.   FOX 21 will then have team coverage on the…

Voter Turnout In 2024 New Hampshire GOP Primary Eclipses Record

WASHINGTON (AP) — More people cast votes in Tuesday’s contest between former President Donald Trump and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley than in any previous presidential primary of either party in New Hampshire’s history. As of the latest vote tally on Wednesday afternoon, nearly 318,000 Granite State Republicans and independents cast votes in the first-in-the-nation primary, exceeding the previous record set in the 2020…

DFL: Stauber “Hypocrite” Over Blatnik Money; Once Law, Congressman Says He Pushed For Funding

Back and forth over federal funding vote.

On Monday, many Minnesota and Wisconsin lawmakers lauded the announced federal funding that will help with the replacement of the Blatnik Bridge. Among those was Minnesota’s 8th District Congressman Pete Stauber. State DFL leaders said the republican lawmaker was a “hypocrite” because he voted against the law that provided the funding. Tuesday, Stauber responded and said that after the bill…

Jen Schultz Announces Congressional Campaign Against Incumbent Pete Stauber

Schultz Begins Fight to Flip 8th Congressional District

DULUTH, Minn. — Today, Democrat Jen Schultz launched her campaign for Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District. Schultz is running against Republican incumbent Pete Stauber, who took office in 2019. In her speech today, Schultz emphasized achieving bipartisan results, as well as supporting the middle class, labor rights, and retirement security. “The 8th is worth fighting for. America is worth fighting for,”…

Council To Vote Monday On Mayor Reinert’s 2024 Legislative Bonding Priorities

DULUTH, Minn. – Mayor Roger Reinert has released his top legislative priorities for 2024, which the city council will vote on Monday night, Jan. 22.  Below is a news release sent out Monday afternoon by Mayor Reinert’s office: Mayor Roger J. Reinert has proposed the City of Duluth’s top legislative bonding priorities for 2024. The priorities, which are outlined as…

President Biden To Visit Superior Thursday, 2nd Time Since In Office

President Joe Biden at UW-Superior SUPERIOR, Wis. – President Biden is returning to Superior later this week. The White House announced Monday that the President will be visiting the city on Thursday, January 25.  The purpose of the visit is to “discuss how his Bidenomics and Investing in America Agenda are rebuilding our infrastructure, lowering costs, spurring a small business…

Haley Hopes To Stop Trump’s March To Nomination In New Hampshire: ‘America Does Not Do Coronations’

MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — As the last major challenger in Donald Trump’s way, Nikki Haley is hoping New Hampshire voters feel so strongly about keeping the former president away from the White House that they turn out to support her in large numbers. “America does not do coronations,” Haley said at a VFW hall in Franklin, joined by her daughter…

Wisconsin Republicans Introduce A Bill To Ban Abortions After 14 Weeks Of Pregnancy

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republicans who control the Wisconsin Assembly quietly introduced a bill Friday that would call for a binding statewide referendum on whether abortion should be banned after 14 weeks of pregnancy. The GOP has scheduled a public hearing on the bill for Monday afternoon at the state Capitol. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers is almost certain to veto…

Superior Mayor Determined To Stop NTEC As Labor Ramps Up Support

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Billboards and yard signs are beginning to pop up in Superior in support of building the Nemadji Trail Energy Center (NTEC). This comes as Mayor Jim Paine says he’s continuing to do whatever he can to derail the natural gas power plant for good. Mayor Paine is banking on Wisconsin state regulators to change their approval of…

Trump Leads GOP Rightward March And Other Takeaways From The Iowa Caucuses

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump’s iron grip on the Republican Party has been clear since the day he announced he would make another run for the White House 14 months ago. It can be seen in the party’s ideological shift even further to the right on cultural issues and, especially, on immigration policy. Iowa Republicans were a clear reflection of that on…

Iowa Caucuses: What To Watch As Voters Weigh In On The Republican Campaign’s First Contest Of 2024

(AP) — As frigid temperatures scour the Midwest, the Republican presidential nominating process will officially start Monday with Iowa’s caucuses. The quadrennial contest has been unusually quiet this year, a mark of former President Donald Trump’s commanding lead in the race. An arctic blast dropping the state into subzero temperatures and dumping snow during the final days of the runup didn’t help, either. But there’s plenty…

Councilor Arik Forsman Launches ‘Duluth Download’

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth City Councilor Arik Forsman has launched what he’s calling the Duluth Download. It’s a bi-monthly newsletter emailed to whoever signs up. Forman said he’ll be talking all things council and politics within the city, allowing him to dive deeper into topics that people may not see on the news or on social media. “Just this last…

Ashley Grimm Announces Reelection Bid For St. Louis County Board

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Louis County Commissioner Ashley Grimm has announced her reelection campaign. Grimm made the announcement Sunday afternoon on the steps of the County Courthouse in Duluth. Grimm said she’s proud of investments made into Duluth’s western neighborhoods since she was elected to the county board in 2020, like repairing the YWCA Young Mom’s Program building and parking…

Duluth “Acting Mayor” Plan Made Official

Mayor Reinert tabs At-Large Councilor Arik Forsman--just in case.

If there’s ever a time when Duluth’s new mayor is not available, he now has an official back up. In a formal proclamation Wednesday, Mayor Roger Reinert named At-Large City Councilor Arik Forsman as acting mayor whenever necessary. Reinert is still an active Navy Reservist and says at times he will be called away. For example, next week he will…

Wisconsin Representatives Talk Proposed Limited Medical Marijuana Bill In Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Wisconsin representatives gathered at Superior’s Government Center Monday unveiling a plan to legalize medical marijuana. The bill would create a limited plan for medical marijuana use to those with serious, chronic diseases such as cancer or those with severe chronic pain. There would be 5 state-run dispensaries and smokeable marijuana would not be allowed. The smokeless options…

Pete Johnson Announces He Will Run For Minnesota Legislature From Duluth

The Duluth firefighter said Monday he will run for Liz Olson's House 8A seat following her announcement last week that she will not run for re-election.

Pete Johnson, a Duluth firefighter, announced he is running for the seat left open by Representative Liz Olson. Olson represents central and western Duluth in District 8A. Johnson says he has been thinking about running for office for a long time and he knows that campaigning is always a family affair. He says his wife and kids are supportive and…

WI State Rep. Angie Sapik Announces Run For Reelection

Wisconsin State Rep. Angie Sapik is running for reelection for Dist. 73 in Northwestern Wisconsin. The Republican from Lake Nebagamon made the announcement over the weekend at the Log Cabin Tavern just outside of Superior. “We accomplished a lot of things in this cycle from the largest increases in shared revenue in history, to holding people accountable for fentanyl deaths,”…

County Commissioners Limit Public Comment During Meetings

DULUTH, Minn. — At its December meeting St. Louis County Commissioners voted to change their rules…moving the public comment period to before the meeting starts and limiting it to 30 minutes. Commissioner Annie Harala said the move will provide a time certain slot for contractors and business owners to appear before the board. “We can ensure folks that are traveling…

Minnesota Rep. Liz Olson Will Not Seek Reelection For 5th Term

MINNESOTA — After 8 years as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives Liz Olson has announced she will not seek reelection. Olson was elected in 2016 as a member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party in District 8A of northeastern Minnesota. She says she is very proud of the work accomplished over the years from providing affordable housing, healthcare…

One Attack, Two Interpretations: Biden And Trump Both Make The Jan. 6 Riot A Political Rallying Cry

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Donald Trump will spend Saturday’s third anniversary of the Capitol riot by holding two campaign rallies in leadoff-voting Iowa in his bid to win back the White House. To mark the moment, President Joe Biden plans to visit a site near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, on Friday where George Washington and the struggling Continental Army endured a tough winter during the American Revolution. Biden’s…

Stauber Says Trump Will Get Country “Back on Track;” DFL Says Republicans “Kissing…Trump’s Ring”

All four Minnesota republican representatives announce their endorsement of former president.

Minnesota Congressman Pete Stauber endorsed Donald Trump for president Wednesday. The 8th district republican said Trump will, “finish what he started.” Stauber announced his endorsement in concert with all three other Minnesota republican representatives. Stauber’s statement said, “Donald Trump fought for our way of life in northern Minnesota when he was President. He supported domestic mining and manufacturing jobs, built…

Three New Duluth School Board Members Sworn In

The Duluth School Board kicked off its first meeting of the year Tuesday night by swearing in the three most recently elected members. The room was energetic and positive as family, friends and supporters watched Stephanie Williams, Henry Banks and Sarah Mikesell affirm their pledge to serve the residents of Duluth. After the stress of campaigning, we discussed what it…

Sweden Moves Closer To NATO Membership

Turkey's parliamentary committee gave approval Tuesday.

The United Nations Security Council meets on North Korea, Monday, Sept. 4, 2017, at U.N. headquarters. (AP) ANKARA, Turkey (AP)–The Turkish parliament’s foreign affairs committee has given its consent to Sweden’s bid to join NATO. The move on Tuesday draws the previously nonaligned Nordic country closer to membership in the Western military alliance. Sweden’s accession protocol will now need to…

Wisconsin Supreme Court Orders New Legislative Maps In Redistricting Case Brought By Democrats

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The liberal-controlled Wisconsin Supreme Court overturned Republican-drawn legislative maps on Friday and ordered that new district boundary lines be drawn as Democrats had urged in a redistricting case they hope will weaken GOP majorities. The ruling comes less than a year before the 2024 election in a battleground state where four of the six past presidential elections have been decided…

Rubber Chicken Theater Produces ‘Mayor Mia! – Emily’s Christmas Musical’

DULUTH, Minn. — The annual holiday sketch comedy revue by the Rubber Chicken Theater returns this Friday with “Mayor Mia! – Emily’s Christmas Musical.” Rehearsals were underway Sunday evening at Stage Four (former Underground Theatre) in the Duluth Depot. The revue is all about looking back at the past year by creating sketch comedy, much like Saturday Night Live. Topics…

WI Man Gets 3 Years In Prison For Bomb Threat Against Governor In 2018

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin man who made a bomb threat in 2018 that prompted a search of then-Gov. Scott Walker’s office in the state Capitol has been sentenced to three years in prison and two years of extended supervision, the state Department of Justice announced on Friday. Terrance Grissom, 53, was already serving time for making other threats…

Silent Vigil Held in Honor of Gun Violence Victims

Community members gathered at Peace Church on the anniversary of the Sandy Hook shooting

DULUTH, Minn. — Today marks the 11th anniversary of the Sandy Hook shooting, which took the lives of 26 first graders and educators. Here in Duluth, a silent vigil was held in honor of all gun violence victims. The Northland Brady Chapter, an advocate group against gun violence, and Peace Church invited community members to take time out of their…

Wisconsin Supreme Court Makes Interim State Court Director Permanent Despite Complaints

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court announced Thursday that the director of state courts job will be filled by the person who has been doing it since August, despite complaints that the hiring was illegal because she had been elected to serve as a Milwaukee County judge. Audrey Skwierawski took a leave from her job as a Milwaukee County circuit…