Politics / Elections

Minnesota House approves $1.9B public works package

Democratic Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, of Brooklyn Park, speaks at a news conference at the State Capitol in St. Paul, Minn., on Monday, March 6, 2023, about a $1.9 billion public infrastructure package for fixing up roads, bridges, water systems, college facilities and parks and trails across the state. She was joined by Democratic Rep. Fue Lee, of Minneapolis,…

Gov. Walz to transfer power during anesthesia for colonoscopy

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will temporarily transfer power to Lt. Gov Peggy Flanagan on Monday while he’s under general anesthesia for a colonoscopy, his office said Sunday. The 58-year-old governor sent a letter Sunday to House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Senate President Bobby Joe Champion informing them of his plan, as per state law. The…

MNGOP calls post from State Rep. Keeler of Moorhead a ‘racist rant’

MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) – Minnesota Republican Party Chairman David Hann calls a Facebook post by DFL State Representative Heather Keeler of Moorhead, “racist.” The Republican Party shared an article by Alpha News claiming she made a post on her personal page. It references native children that says, in part, quote, “I’m sick of white Christians adopting our babies and rejoicing….

Minnesota moves to crack down on catalytic converter thefts

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Senate voted Thursday to make it harder for thieves to sell stolen catalytic converters, a crime that has skyrocketed across the country in recent years. Thefts of the pollution control devices from cars and trucks more than quadrupled from 3,389 in 2019 to 14,433 in 2020, and jumped dramatically again in 2021 to over 52,000,…

FirstLink advocates for access fee for 988 suicide & crisis lifeline

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — A Fargo nonprofit pushes for a North Dakota Senate bill that would charge an access fee to citizens every time someone dials 988 during a behavioral health emergency. It’s similar to North Dakotans paying 50 cents every time you hear a tornado siren except people would only pay 30 cents. FirstLink handled more than 15,000 calls…

Minnesota Republican Leaders Offer “Give It Back” Plan To Deal With Surplus

ST. PAUL (AP/KVRR) — Leaders of the Republican minority at the Minnesota Legislature roll out a $13 billion “Give It Back” plan in response to the states latest budget surplus forecast. Republicans announced their plan a day after state budget officials released an updated forecast showing that the surplus has remained stable at $17.5 billion. Higher-than expected revenues helped offset…

Displays at Fargo libraries show books that could be removed under two N.D. bills

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Workers at Fargo’s three public libraries put together displays to show which books could no longer be offered if two bills in the North Dakota Legislature become law. “We do not have adult porn available in our public schools, so why are we finding persuasive, obscene pornographic images and materials in our schools? In testimony we…

Minnesotans vocal about legislation in town hall at Moorhead Library

MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) — Minnesotans remain passionate about some house and senate bills in the legislature including gun and ammunition storage, paid family leave and abortion. They participated in a town hall at Moorhead Public Library hosted by DFL State Senator Rob Kupec. Kupec’s critics were vocal about government overreach regarding gun control while supporters backed him for supporting bills…

Hoeven wants HHS Sec. Becerra to end Covid-19 vaccine & mask mandates

WASHINGTON (KVRR) – North Dakota Senator John Hoeven calls Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra pressuring him to end Covid-19 mandates saying they’re hurting rural hospitals and care facilities. The Biden administration plans to end its public health emergency in May. Hoeven also wants the federal government to end the Covid-19 vaccine mandates for federal employees and contractors and…