GOV. TIM WALZ

Petition asks Walz, Ellison to drop Line 3 protest charges

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KVRR) – An online petition asking Gov. Tim Walz and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison to drop all criminal charges against hundreds of demonstrators arrested in connection with the Line 3 pipeline protests in northern Minnesota has collected more than 14,000 signatures. Organizers say the charges are based on “brutal policing tactics,” the violation of treaty rights,…

Vaccinations for younger children begin in Minnesota this week

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Gov. Tim Walz says health care providers and others will begin vaccinating 5- to 11-year-old children this week, now that the Pfizer coronavirus shot has received federal approval for that age group. Walz says the vaccine will arrive in waves this week and that Minnesota providers have ordered as many doses as possible from the federal…

Minnesota vaccinations rise nearly 40% among 12-17-Year-olds

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KVRR) – Gov. Tim Walz says COVID-19 vaccinations are up nearly 40% among Minnesotans 12-17 years old in the past week. During the first week of the “Kids Deserve a Shot” campaign, Walz says more than 2,200 Minnesotans 12-17 got their first COVID-19 vaccine dose, compared to just 1,600 the week before. “Every shot in the arm helps…

Minnesota ready to give COVID-19 shots to children

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Gov. Tim Walz says the state has a strong network of health care providers and others who are ready to administer the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine to children ages 5 to 11 once final federal recommendations are issued next week. A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel on Tuesday voted to back Pfizer’s low dose vaccine for…

State adds new sites to rapid testing program

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KVRR) – Gov. Tim Walz on Wednesday announced a further expansion of rapid testing availability at community sites across Minnesota. Beginning today (Oct. 20) the state will offer rapid tests at existing testing locations in Moorhead and St. Paul.  Tests will be offered in Duluth and Brooklyn Park beginning Friday. Sites in Crookston and Hutchinson will open…

Walz launches reelection campaign in divided Minnesota

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota’s Democratic Gov. Tim Walz has launched his campaign for a second term in an increasingly divided state, saying he made the tough calls necessary beat back the COVID-19 pandemic and revive the economy. The former high school football coach made the announcement in a YouTube video posted Tuesday that shows him standing on a football…

Walz to deploy National Guard to help ease COVID-19 surge

ROBBINSDALE, Minn. – Gov. Tim Walz says he’ll use the Minnesota National Guard to help alleviate staffing shortages at hospitals and care facilities that are struggling with the surge in COVID-19 cases. The governor announced plans Friday at North Memorial Health Hospital in Robbinsdale for alleviating bottlenecks caused by staffing shortages that prevent hospitals from moving recovering patients to transitional…

Walz wants vaccine and testing requirements for Minnesota teachers

ST. PAUL, Minn. –  Gov. Tim Walz called on lawmakers Tuesday to approve a series of new measures to respond to the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, including vaccine and testing requirements for teachers, school staff and long-term care workers. The Democratic governor detailed his proposal in a letter to lawmakers that he released after meeting privately with legislative…

Minnesota judge rejects attempt to force school mask mandate

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – A Minnesota judge has rejected a request by concerned parents to force a statewide mask mandate in all schools. Ramsey County District Judge Thomas Gilligan said the court was “gravely concerned” about the risks of COVID-19 for Minnesota children, but said in his ruling late Tuesday that the court lacks the legal authority to order…