GOV. TIM WALZ Archives - KVRR Local News

Klobuchar endorsed for governor, Flanagan for U.S. Senate at Minnesota DFL Convention

May 31, 2026

KVRR Staff,

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KVRR/CNN/FOX9) — Sen. Amy Klobuchar won the endorsement for governor after the first round of balloting at the DFL convention in Rochester. On Friday, she announced former Fergus Falls Mayor Ben Schierer as her running mate. Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan was endorsed by Democrats to run for U.S. Senate. Her opponent, Rep. Angie Craig, announced before the convention…

Justice Theodora Gaïtas appointed next Chief Justice of Minnesota Supreme Court

May 19, 2026

TJ Nelson,

ST. PAUL (KVRR) — There are some big moves underway for the Minnesota Supreme Court. Gov. Tim Walz has appointed Justice Theodora Gaïtas to Serve as Chief Justice when Natalie Hudson retires in September. Gaitas previously served as a judge on the Minnesota Court of Appeals and as a judge in the Fourth Judicial District. Three current members of the…

Gov. Walz visits Two Harbors to survey wildfire fighting efforts

Man arrested for firing shot at wildfire fighting airplane near Orr, MN

May 18, 2026

KVRR Staff,

TWO HARBORS, Minn. (KVRR/FOX9) — Gov. Tim Walz visits northeastern Minnesota to survey wildfire damage firsthand as authorities continue to gain control of several blazes. He traveled to Two Harbors to see the impact of the Stewart Trail Fire, which has burned roughly 355 acres and destroyed 34 structures, including homes and outbuildings. The fire is now more than 60%…

Legislative deal: hospital bailout, infrastructure bill, cuts to property taxes and car tab fees

May 14, 2026

KVRR Staff,

The Minnesota State Capitol, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)ST. PAUL, Minn. (Minnesota Reformer) — Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leaders announced a deal late Wednesday on the big-ticket items the Legislature plans to pass this session, which ends on Sunday night. They provided few details, but Walz and some legislative leaders are holding press conferences Thursday….

Walz, legislative leaders announce bipartisan agreement to end session

May 13, 2026

TJ Nelson,

ST. PAUL (KVRR) — Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leaders have reached a bipartisan agreement on the budget to end the session. “We are keeping a balanced budget, making targeted reductions, and focusing every dollar on core priorities: fiscal sustainability, critical infrastructure, and the health and wellbeing of our communities,” said Walz. It includes car tab relief, property tax cuts…

Walz to sign bill to strengthen penalties for impersonating police officer

May 13, 2026

KVRR Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KVRR-KFGO) – Governor Tim Walz is expected to sign a bill that passed in the Senate Wednesday. It would impose tougher criminal penalties for people who impersonate police and follows the political attacks on lawmakers last summer. Last June, former House Speaker Melissa Hortman was assassinated, along with her husband Mark. State Senator John Hoffman and his…

Senate passes bill reining in homeowners’ associations

May 7, 2026

KVRR Staff,

Sen. Susan Pha, DFL-Brooklyn Park, and Sen. Eric Lucero, R-Saint Michael, present their bill aimed at reining in HOAs at a meeting of the Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention committee on March 12, 2025. Photo by Madison McVan/Minnesota Reformer.ST. PAUL (Minnesota Reformer) — A bipartisan bill limiting homeowners’ association fees, implementing new transparency and conflict-of-interest rules and establishing a path…

Minnesota DHS shakeup: Shireen Gandhi removed as commissioner

May 4, 2026

KVRR Staff,

ST. PAUL (KVRR/FOX9) — A sudden shakeup at Minnesota’s Department of Human Services, which is at the center of fraud investigations. Shireen Gandhi, the woman Gov. Tim Walz tapped to lead the agency, is being replaced by John Connolly on a temporary basis. He is the state’s Medicaid director who oversees policy across key service areas and leading Medical Assistance…

As one Republican drops out of the governor’s race, Democrat Klobuchar unveils plan to fight fraud

May 3, 2026

TJ Nelson,

Rep. Kristin Robbins (R) Maple Grove / Mn House | Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) (Campaign handout) ST. PAUL (KVRR) — The chair of the Minnesota House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee drops out of the governor’s race. Republican state Rep. Kristin Robbins of Maple Grove says she believes the best way to fight for the future of the…

Walz, feds clash over who should take credit for raids

April 30, 2026

KVRR Staff,

ST. PAUL (KVRR/FOX9) — A major federal raid on 22 Minnesota child care and autism centers has sparked debate over who deserves credit for uncovering the alleged taxpayer fraud. Gov. Tim Walz posted on X, “raids by state and federal law enforcement happened because our state agencies caught irregular behavior and reported it.” FBI Director Kash Patel responded, “Come again?…