GOV. TIM WALZ

Walz expects COVID-19 spike as Minnesota schools reopen

MINNEAPOLIS – Gov. Tim Walz says coronavirus cases due to the fast-spreading omicron variant will most likely race through Minnesota’s public schools in the next few weeks now that students are back in class. Walz said that school administrators across the state are right to be concerned. He noted that modeling by the Mayo Clinic predicts a spike peaking around…

Walz isolating after testing positive for COVID-19

ST. PAUL, Minn.  (KVRR) – Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says he and members of his family recently tested positive for COVID-19. “Yesterday, my 9th grade son tested positive for COVID-19. Gwen and I were both tested that same day, and after initially testing negative yesterday morning, last night we received positive COVID-19 tests.” Walz says his son has mild symptoms…

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…