A woman whose son died because he couldn’t afford sufficient insulin says she’ll be at the State Capitol in 2019, lobbying lawmakers to address the high cost of a drug that’s essential for those with diabetes. Nicole Smith-Holt says, “It’s not a Democrat/Republican situation. I think that… anybody with a heart still pumping can understand […]
Court appearance today for one defendant in Bloomington mosque bombing
One of three men in an Illinois militia group accused of bombing a Bloomington mosque last year makes his first appearance in federal court in Minnesota today. Another defendant pleaded *not* guilty before a magistrate judge Tuesday and it’s not clear when a third defendant will appear in Minnesota, where the cases will be tried. […]
Long-time lawmaker urges caution despite $1.5B state budget surplus
A warning from a long-time state legislator as lawmakers eye a projected 1.5-billion-dollar budget surplus. Outgoing House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jim Knoblach from Saint Cloud says “things can change very, very quickly,” pointing to large deficits that followed surpluses in the early 2000’s and at the start of the Great Recession. Knoblach says, […]
Man convicted of third-degree murder in snowmobile crash that killed 8-year-old boy
A jury in Chisago County has found a man guilty of third-degree murder and other charges for crashing his snowmobile while drunk into a second-grader who was helping his family put up a fish house on Chisago Lake. Prosecutors say Eric Coleman had three prior D-W-I charges with license revoked, and his blood alcohol was […]
Group pushing at State Capitol for more funding for transit in metro area, Greater Minnesota
A new coalition of metro area groups called “Keep Minnesota Moving” will push at the State Capitol not only for more funding for transit in the Twin Cities, but also in Greater Minnesota. Will Schroeer with East Metro Strong points to a MN-DOT report that says rural Minnesota has 120 million dollars in transit needs […]
Minnesota family tells tearful story at DFL State Capitol hearing on insulin prices
Tears at the State Capitol as a group of mostly Democratic lawmakers heard from Minnesotans affected by the high cost of insulin. “My son would still be alive today, if his treatment was affordable,” said James Holt Junior, whose 25-year-old son died because he had to ration insulin. Nicole Smith-Holt says to get health insurance […]
New coalition wants more state funding for mass transit
A coalition pushing for more state funding for mass transit in the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota kicks off its 2019 effort at the State Capitol today. The group is likely eyeing part of a gas tax increase that Governor-elect Tim Walz has said he’ll propose. Senate Republican Majority Leader Paul Gazelka says about that, […]
Top analyst: Splinter GOP caucus in MN House will have tough time gaining influence (with AUDIO)
A top political analyst says four conservative Republicans who formed their own caucus in the Minnesota House will have a tough time gaining any power. Hamline University Professor David Schultz says it would different if Republicans were in the majority for the upcoming legislative session and the breakaway group “had created kind of a ‘rump […]
Planned Parenthood applauds SCOTUS decision on Medicaid funding, MCCL disappointed
Planned Parenthood North Central States is declaring victory after the U-S Supreme Court refused to review lower court rulings that prevented two states (Kansas and Louisiana) from cutting off Medicaid money to Planned Parenthood providers. C-E-O Sarah Stoesz says even though the new Supreme Court remains very conservative, it’s “welcome news for our patients and […]
Northfield man committed to treatment center after attack at Rainbow gathering in Superior Natl Forest
A Cook County judge has committed a Northfield man to a treatment center for allegedly raping a woman, biting off part of a man’s finger and attacking a sheriff’s deputy during the annual “Rainbow” gathering in Superior National Forest. 21-year-old Spencer Fredrickson suffers from “cannabis use disorder” and other pyschotic problems. The judge’s order suspends […]