The comprehensive farm bill passed in the U-S House this afternoon and now heads to President Trump’s desk for a signature. The bill passed on a 369-47 vote. The $800 billion bill aims to help farmers hurt by declines in commodities prices because of the U-S trade war with China. The legal production of hemp […]
Mother who lost son says she’ll fight at MN Legislature for lower insulin prices
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 […]
Farm bill vote expected today; Sen Smith touts bi-partisan agreement (AUDIO)
Congress could vote soon–as early as today a new farm bill. U-S Senator Tina Smith is confident the bill will pass and be signed into law by year’s end. She says “Minnesotans should realize that this bill is a significant piece of legislation that touches the lives of really every person every day in Minnesota […]
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 […]
MN A-G Swanson sues Virginia-based tax debt relief company (AUDIO)
Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson today filed a lawsuit against an unlicensed Virginia company that offers to help people settle their tax debt. Swanson alleges that Wall and Associates violated Minnesota’s consumer protection laws. She says the company failed to register in Minnesota and collected large advance payments from customers of up to $15,000 prior […]
Transition for Mpls homeless encampment set to begin today (AUDIO)
City officials and outreach workers are set to begin transitioning people at the Minneapolis homeless encampment to a new Navigation Center starting today. John Tribbett with the St. Stephens Outreach Team says he’s hopeful the center will be a positive next step for people who have been at the encampment and adds that “at the […]