>>Minnesota Voters Keep DFL In Control of Statewide Constitutional Offices
(Undated) — Minnesota Democrats have held onto all five of the state’s constitutional offices following Tuesday’s election. U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar defeated Republican Lisa Demuth in the governor’s race, making history as Minnesota’s first woman elected governor. Attorney General Keith Ellison won a third term, defeating Republican challenger Ron Schutz. Secretary of State Steve Simon also secured re-election, defeating Republican Tad Jude. In the state auditor’s race, DFL candidate Zack Filipovich defeated Republican Scott Jensen to succeed retiring Auditor Julie Blaha.
>>Peggy Flanagan Defeats Michele Tafoya in Minnesota U.S. Senate Race
(Undated) — Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan has defeated Republican Michele Tafoya to win the state’s open U.S. Senate seat, keeping the seat in DFL hands. Flanagan will succeed retiring Democratic Senator Tina Smith. Flanagan’s victory also makes her the first Native American woman elected to the U.S. Senate. Tafoya, a former NBC and NFL sideline reporter, was making her first run for elected office.
>>Minnesota Congressional Race Outcomes
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota’s congressional election results are taking shape following Tuesday’s election, with most incumbents holding onto their seats.
In the First District, DFL challenger Jake Johnson appears to have unseated Republican Congressman Brad Finstad. Unofficial results show Johnson leading Finstad with just 324 votes, with all precincts reporting. The narrow margin is expected to trigger an automatic recount.
DFL candidate Matt Little defeated Republican Eric Pratt in the Second District, replacing outgoing Congresswoman Angie Craig.
Elsewhere, DFL Congresswoman Kelly Morrison won re-election in the Third District, and Betty McCollum held onto her seat in the Fourth. Ilhan Omar also won a fifth term representing the Fifth District.
Republicans also retained the Sixth District, where Tom Emmer won re-election, the Seventh District, where Michelle Fischbach prevailed, and the Eighth District, where Pete Stauber defeated DFL challenger Trina Swanson.
>>Minnesota Democrats Regain Control of Legislature
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Democrats are set to regain control of both chambers of the state Legislature following Tuesday’s election. The DFL is projected to win a majority in the Minnesota House, which had been tied 67-67, while expanding its advantage in the state Senate. The results give Democrats control of the governor’s office and both legislative chambers heading into the 2027 session. The shift could have major implications for the state’s budget, taxes, education and other policy priorities. Final results remain subject to official certification.
>>Minnesota Voters Approve Constitutional Amendment To Increase School Funding
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota voters have approved a constitutional amendment that will increase funding for public schools across the state. The measure raises the annual distribution from Minnesota’s Permanent School Fund from 2.5 percent to 4.5 percent of its value. The fund, built from revenue generated by state trust lands, is worth about 2.3 billion dollars. The change is expected to provide schools with additional funding without increasing individual income or property taxes. The amendment takes effect July 1st, 2027.
>>3M Agrees to $7.35 Billion PFAS Settlement
(Maplewood, MN) — Minnesota-based 3M will pay $7.35 billion over nine years to settle more than 100-thousand personal injury claims tied to its PFAS-based firefighting foam. The chemicals, often called forever chemicals, have been linked to certain cancers and liver damage. This is the company’s second major settlement involving firefighting foam lawsuits, bringing the combined value of the agreements to nearly $20 billion. 3M is not admitting wrongdoing and says it will defend itself in court if the settlement terms are not met.
>> Plainview Schools Lift Secure Status After Threat Investigation
(Plainview, MN) — Students at Plainview-Elgin-Millville Schools returned to normal activities Tuesday after two school buildings were briefly placed in secure status following a reported threat of violence. The precaution affected the elementary school serving preschool through third grade and the high school. Classes continued, but no one was allowed to enter or leave the buildings. Plainview police investigated and determined no threats of violence had been made,
>> Investigators Complete New Search in 44-Year-Old Missing Child Case
(Sugarbush Township, MN) — Beltrami County investigators have completed another search for evidence in the 1982 disappearance of Kevin Ayotte. The three-year-old vanished on September 30th, 1982, from his family’s summer home northeast of Bemidji. A new tip led investigators to search a nearby property in Sugarbush Township. The search has now concluded, but investigators say they are still evaluating information and conducting follow-up work.
>>Man Sentenced to Prison for Attempted Bait Shop Arson
(Duluth, MN) — A Duluth man has been sentenced to the maximum prison term for trying to burn down a northern Minnesota bait shop. Michael Nelson Kunnari was sentenced to 28-and-a-half months in prison for attempted first-degree arson. Prosecutors say Kunnari poured gasoline inside Brimson Sportsmen’s Corner on June 27th and tried to ignite a tissue with a lighter. The shop owner stopped him and chased him outside. Kunnari told investigators he was angry the owner had not served prison time for two convictions involving child sexual abuse material.
>>Home Insurance Premiums See Nation’s Largest Increase
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota homeowners have seen some of the nation’s steepest increases in home insurance costs. A new report from the Insurance Federation of Minnesota finds the average annual premium climbed from $1,313 in 2015 to $2,037 in 2023 — an increase of more than $700. The report says Minnesota experienced the largest premium increase in the country. More frequent and costly storms, particularly hail and severe thunderstorms, are driving up insurance claims. Higher construction materials and labor costs are also making home repairs more expensive, adding to the pressure on premiums.
