First District Minnesota Congressman Jim Hagedorn disclosed Wednesday that he was diagnosed with stage-four kidney cancer about a year ago and has received treatment at Rochester’s Mayo Clinic. 57-year-old Hagedorn says one year later he feels great, continues to perform his job in Congress unimpeded, and is a candidate for re-election. Hagedorn’s doctor says he […]
Gov. Walz disappointed at Trump pardon of former Illinois Gov. Blagojevich
“A little disappointed”, says Governor Tim Walz about President Trump commuting the prison sentence of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, who served eight years of a 14-year term for political corruption. Governor Walz says there was extensive prosecution and a jury rendered verdicts, plus he never heard Blagojevich say he’s sorry. “Elected officials need to […]
Walz says he’d sign firecracker, aerial fireworks bill
“If that bill gets to my desk, I would probably sign it,” Governor Walz says about the latest push to legalize firecrackers and aerial fireworks in Minnesota. His comments come as firefighters converge on the State Capitol for “Fire Service Day”, and Burnsville Fire Chief B-J Jungmann says they’re concerned about people’s safety. “Only licensed […]
State officials say now is the time to buy flood insurance
State officials are urging Minnesotans in areas where there’s any chance of flooding to make sure they have flood insurance. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Joe Kelly says, “It’s important for people to remember: You go buy flood insurance, it has to be in effect for 30 days before you’re fully covered…. Now is […]
Grain bin safety is focus of State Capitol hearing
Air monitors, filter masks, better ventilation and more safety reminders — among many options discussed Tuesday at the State Capitol as lawmakers focus on the recent spate of grain bin accidents and deaths on Minnesota farms. Plato farmer Brian Thalmann, past president of Minnesota Corn Growers Association, predicts more problems in 2020 because farmers were […]
Walz frustrated at continued stalemate over election security funding
Governor Tim Walz says he cannot understand why the legislature has not claimed seven million dollars in election security funding from Washington D-C — as G-O-P and D-F-L lawmakers continue their long-standing argument over checking voter eligibility at the polls. Walz says, “We get very little back from the federal government. When we do, we […]
Sen Bigham introduces bill to make milk the default beverage for kids’ meals
Senator Karla Bigham of Cottage Grove is behind a bill that would make milk the default beverage for children’s meals at restaurants in the state. Bigham says the bill is *not* a mandate and adds “we are not trying to pre-empt parental decision making here. If you still want your child to have juice or […]
Bill introduced to clear backlog of untested rape evidence kits
A bipartisan group of state lawmakers wants state funding to clear the backlog of untested “rape kits” — evidence that medical professionals gather from victims of sexual assault which can be used by prosecutors. Republican Representative Marion O’Neill from Maple Lake says it means justice for thousands of women in Minnesota. O’Neill says, “We have […]
Walz wants $30M more for state Disaster Assistance Fund
Citing increased frequency of storms and flooding, Governor Tim Walz is asking the legislature to add 30 million dollars to the state’s Disaster Assistance Account. Norman County Emergency Management Director Garry Johanson supports it, noting his northwestern Minnesota county in the Red River Valley saw three disaster declarations in the past five years. Johanson says […]
State Senate panel review education problems, skirts controversial constitutional amendment
A Minnesota Senate committee on Monday reviewed continued problems with overall student test scores plus the “achievement gap” affecting children of color — but steered clear of a proposed constitutional amendment that would guarantee all children the right to a quality public education. Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Neel Kashkari said he knows it wasn’t the […]