ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP)–Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed a police accountability bill into law Thursday that includes a ban on neck restraints like the one that was used on George Floyd before his death in Minneapolis. The bill passed by the Legislature earlier this week also bans chokeholds and so-called warrior-style training, which critics say promotes excessive force. It imposes…
ST. PAUL, Minn.–Gov. Tim Walz signed an executive order on Wednesday requiring Minnesotans to wear face masks indoors. The mask mandate goes into effect on Saturday, July 25. The mandate affects everyone except children five-years-old and under and people with a medical condition, mental health condition or disability that makes it difficult to wear a mask. Anyone caught willfully violating…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9)–Gov. Tim Walz is poised to order Minnesotans to wear masks in stores and other indoor public spaces as he tries to avoid a surge in coronavirus cases here. Walz has scheduled a 2 p.m. news conference to announce the move. He’ll be joined by business owners from Minneapolis and Bemidji and infectious disease experts who…
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Gov. Tim Walz says he is close to announcing a decision on whether to require people across Minnesota to wear face masks as a way to slow the spread of the coronavirus. He will announce the next steps in the state’s response to COVID-19 Wednesday afternoon. Last week Walz said that he is “seriously considering” requiring…
ST. PAUL, Minn.–Gov. Tim Walz gave an update on the number of COVID-19 cases in long-term care facilities on Tuesday. Walz’s five-point plan, put in place on May 7, has worked to develop and expand testing, prioritize PPE supplies and tackle staffing needs among long-term care facilities. Walz said, “With an aggressive multi-pronged strategy, this battle plan is helping ensure…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9)–Minnesota’s divided Legislature struck a deal to strengthen police accountability Monday night, delivering a response two months after the death of George Floyd at the knee of a now-fired Minneapolis police officer. The House quickly voted 102-29 to approve the changes. After midnight, the Senate approved the bill in a 60-7 vote. Gov. Tim Walz supports the agreed-upon…
ST. PAUL, Minn.–Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan announced a $100 million housing assistance plan on Tuesday. The plan will help prevent evictions, homelessness and maintain stability for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Coronavirus Relief Fund, authorized by the CARES Act, will provide the funding for the plan. Additionally, the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency also launched…
ST. PAUL, Minn.–Gov. Tim Walz plans to convene a special legislative session to push for police reform and accountability on July 13. Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan have previously shown support for the Minnesota People of Color and Indigenous Caucus’ police reform recommendations as well as the Attorney General’s Police-Involved Deadly Force Encounters Working Group. The proposals from…
ST. PAUL, Minn.–Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan announced their $56.6 million Coronavirus Relief Fund proposal that will support child care providers on Tuesday. The proposal provides grants to family child care providers, child care centers and eligible certified centers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many child care providers have lost revenue due to smaller group sizes, additional…
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Health experts are urging Gov. Tim Walz to require masks in public statewide amid concerns that the spike in coronavirus cases elsewhere could happen in Minnesota. Governors in several states that are seeing rising numbers have mandated mask use. Medical groups in Minnesota and the state Health Department are backing a mandate. Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm…
