ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) _ A record number of Minnesota prison inmates were placed in solitary confinement last year. The Minnesota Department of Corrections placed inmates in solitary more than 8,000 times in 2018. Minnesota Public Radio News reports the number of solitary sentences has been going up steadily for the last two years. Last session, the Minnesota Legislature passed…
Gov. Tim Walz & Jodi HarpsteadST. PAUL, Minn. — Gov. Tim Walz says it would be “counterproductive” to call the Minnesota Legislature into special session on gun violence only to watch Senate Republicans adjourn without holding any hearings or moving forward with gun control bills. “And I spent the day out at Game Fair where our most experienced firearms owners…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) _ The special session of the Minnesota Legislature appears likely to last at least three days and run into the holiday weekend. Republican House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt told reporters just before the session was called to order Friday his caucus has no plans to supply enough votes to suspend the normal procedural rules so that it…
ST. PAUL, MN — A Minnesota lawmaker who is a former law enforcement officer was arrested by St. Paul police for trespassing. Rep. Matt Grossell of Clearbrook was arrested about 3:30 a.m. Saturday and released a couple of hours later on a promise to appear in court. The circumstances surrounding the arrest are unclear. Grossell, a Republican, has represented his northwestern…
ST. PAUL, MN (AP) — The Minnesota Legislature has approved expanding a zero-interest disaster loan program for farmers, just in time for producers with buildings damaged by heavy snow this winter. The bill unanimously passed the Senate Thursday, and then passed House without opposition. It now goes to Gov. Tim Walz for his signature. The bill broadens eligibility for the Disaster…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Lawmakers have unveiled legislation that would legalize recreational marijuana in Minnesota, hoping to start what they acknowledge is likely to be a long and contentious discussion. The bills were introduced in the Senate on Monday by Edina Democrat Melisa Franzen and in the House by Golden Valley Democrat Mike Freiberg. They said their proposal focuses on…
ST. PAUL, Minn. — With the Minnesota legislature set to reconvene Tuesday, State Senator Kent Eken talks with citizens in our area about what issues to fight for in St. Paul. At a League of Women Voters of the Red River Valley gathering at the Sons of Norway in Fargo, the Democrat says some of the big issues include budgeting for…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) _ House lawmakers are proposing steep restrictions on the use of cameras in Minnesota courtrooms. The House Public Safety committee unanimously passed legislation Wednesday that would require defendants, witnesses and others to approve filming. State courts lifted a longtime ban on cameras and started testing them during criminal sentencing so long as the victims, families and…
Sen. Scott Jensen & Sen. Paul Anderson ST. PAUL, Minn. — Two Republican senators are getting behind efforts to expand background checks on gun sales at the Minnesota Legislature. Sen. Scott Jensen of Chaska joined several Democrats by backing a bill that would expand background checks and require reporting of lost or stolen guns. Fellow GOP Sen. Paul Anderson…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Gov. Mark Dayton is proposing $21 million in new funding for security enhancements and mental health improvements in Minnesota schools. The Democratic governor unveiled his proposal Wednesday to give schools dedicated funds for improvements like bulletproof glass and secure entrances. School safety is in the spotlight after the recent deadly school shooting in Florida. Republicans who…
