Politics / Elections Archives - Page 300 of 347

Minnesota Attorneys General, 17 Other States Suing Education Secretary Betsy DeVos

They were created under President Obama's administration and were to take effect July 1

July 6, 2017

TJ Nelson,

NATIONAL — Democratic attorneys general in Minnesota and 17 other states and the District of Columbia are suing Education Secretary Betsy DeVos over her decision to suspend rules meant to protect students from abuses by for-profit colleges. The rules aim to make schools financially responsible for fraud and forbid them from forcing students to resolve complaints outside court. They…

Hobby Lobby Fined $3 Million for Illegal Smuggling

They say a supplier shipped "falsely labeled" items to Hobby Lobby's stores and corporate offices

July 6, 2017

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NATIONAL — Arts and crafts chain Hobby Lobby has settled a civil action lawsuit and is being fined $3 million dollars by the federal government for smuggling ancient Iraqi artifacts. The Justice Department accused the company of smuggling cuneiform tablets and clay artifacts from modern-day Iraq into the U.S. They say a supplier shipped falsely labeled items to Hobby…

Minneapolis Working to Restrict Sales of Menthol Cigarettes

San Francisco and Chicago have similar policies

July 6, 2017

TJ Nelson,

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — The sale of menthol cigarettes in Minneapolis may soon be restricted to adult-only tobacco shops. The city has an ordinance that limits other flavored tobacco products to adult-only tobacco shops. Council Member Cam Gordon says restricting menthols is the next step. Anti-smoking advocates say a mint-flavored compound in the cigarettes that creates a cooling sensation makes…

Gov. Dayton Names $12 Million Police Training Program in Honor of Philando Castile

Governor Dayton says he wants people and law enforcement to work together to improve relationships

July 6, 2017

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ST. PAUL, Minn. — It’s been exactly one year since the fatal shooting of Philando Castile and Governor Dayton is recommending a new program be named in his honor. The Philando Castile Law Enforcement Training Fund is a $12 million program that will pay for training Minnesota officers who serve in diverse communities. Dayton says he wants people and law…

Senator Heitkamp Asking Ranchers be Given Tax Break Due to Drought

The deferment would be for a two year period on the sale of cattle

July 6, 2017

TJ Nelson,

NORTH DAKOTA — Senator Heitkamp has asked the IRS commissioner to allow ranchers to defer paying capital gains tax due to the drought. The deferment would be for a two year period on the sale of cattle. The action is being requested due to the ongoing severe drought which has stretched for months across nearly half of the state….

Senator Hoeven Says GOP Health Care Bill Needs Improvement

He is just the latest member of his party to criticize their plan to repeal and replace Obamacare

July 6, 2017

TJ Nelson,

GRAND FORKS, ND — Sen. John Hoeven says he “doesn’t support” the current GOP health care bill. The Republican made the comment during a discussion Wednesday at UND. He is just the latest member of his party to criticize their plan to repeal and replace Obamacare. Hoeven said he’s hopeful that the legislation can be improved to lower premium…

Gov. Dayton Hoping to Improve Minnesota’s Water Quality

This includes holding meetings in Rochester, Marshall, Ely, Stillwater and more cities throughout the state.

July 5, 2017

Alison Voorhees,

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Governor Mark Dayton wants to hear from people throughout the state on how best to improve Minnesota’s water quality. Dayton’s office announced 10 town halls throughout the summer to help develop water strategies throughout the state. They include meetings in Crookston, Rochester, Marshall, Ely, Stillwater and more cities throughout the state. It’s part of the…

Dispute Over American Indian Artifacts Reporting by Pipeline Company in Question

They are also investigating if the company removed too many trees while laying the pipe

July 4, 2017

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MORTON COUNTY, ND — The dispute over American Indian artifacts and the construction of the Dakota Access pipeline will not be over any time soon. North Dakota’s Public Service Commission filed a complaint in November of 2016 saying Energy Transfer Partners, the company behind the pipeline, improperly reported the discovery of the artifacts. They proposed a $15,000 fine. They…

North Dakota Tribes Asking for Help Fighting Addiction Crisis

Officials say the tribes are working hard but they are not on track with the state's efforts to fight drug addiction

July 4, 2017

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NORTH DAKOTA — North Dakota tribes are asking the state for more help to fight addiction on the reservations. Officials with multiple treatment centers on the reservations say the tribes have lost touch with the state on drug issues over the years. They are hoping to revive interest in fighting addiction after the first lady says she it is…

Listening Sessions Open to the Public for the Next Farm Bill

The current farm bill expires in September 2018

July 3, 2017

TJ Nelson,

NORTH DAKOTA — Farmers and ranchers are encouraged to attend a series of listening sessions for the next farm bill. The meetings are being hosted by North Dakota Farmers Union in six cities. In our area, you can attend on July 18 in Devils Lake and Hillsboro and on July 19 in Jamestown. National Farmers Union staff and invited congressional…