The Minnesota DNR says do not believe it. A social media report that was going around saying the Minnesota fishing season would be canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic is not true. The false report was made on Minnesota DNR letterhead and encouraged anglers to request access to their favorite fishing areas in the state. The DNR says that all bodies of water will be open for fishing this season. The fishing opener this year for trout is April 18th, walleye, sauger and northern pike on May 9th and muskie on June 6th,
$300M COVID response package headed to Gov. Walz after MN Legislature passes it Thursday
A 300-million-dollar COVID response package is on its way to the desk of Governor Tim Walz after the Minnesota House and Senate passed it Thursday. Duluth Democrat Erik Simonson objects it doesn’t help law enforcement and first responders, who can’t shelter at home and if they come down with COVID-19, could be forced to use up their sick time and health insurance. Simonson told fellow lawmakers, “These are unprecedented times, members, and I don’t know — I cannot figure out for the life of me — why we ignored these folks.” Senate Republican Majority Leader Paul Gazelka responds the measure didn’t have the nod from the trades and the business community on the Workers Compensation Council. “Both of those sides had to agree, and the fact that they did not support this led me to believe that we shouldn’t be doing it,” Gazelka says.
Republicans in the Senate say the COVID relief package doesn’t do enough to help small businesses. “They’re working on the margins to begin with and then, when we’re shutting ’em down, they’re not gonna be coming back,” says East Grand Forks Senator Mark Johnson. Saint Cloud Senator Jerry Relph says the business loans in the current package only help “restaurants, public gatherings and some of the service providers such as cosmetologists, barbers, etc. This bill needs to go far, far beyond those narrow businesses.”
Senate Majority Leader Gazelka says of the nearly 600 million dollars the legislature has appropriated so far for COVID-19 relief, only 30 to 40 million is for small businesses. “In the next phase moving forward, that is an area that I expect some help. Again, all of us working together, what can we do to make sure that these small businesses make it through this tough time,” Gazelka says.
Walz stay-at-home order to Minnesotans takes effect tonight, Repubs hope it doesn’t last long
Governor Tim Walz’s stay-at-home order to Minnesotans takes effect at midnight tonight (Fri 11:59pm) and top Republicans say they hope it’s in effect for as little time as possible. Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka says the governor has the power to make that emergency declaration, however, “I’m also asking him to weigh heavily the consequences to all of the jobs out there, the job creators, and what’s gonna happen — are those jobs still gonna be there after.”
Gazelka says Minnesotans understand what’s necessary to slow the spread of coronavirus and he’s encouraging the governor to lift the stay-at-home order as soon as he can. Walz is banking that a two-week stay-at-home order will slow the spread of COVID, so the state has time to marshall more hospital beds and medical supplies before cases begin to peak in Minnesota.
MDH confirms 2nd COVID-19 death in MN
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is confirming the state’s 2nd death from COVID-19. There are 346 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state. As of today, 31 people are hospitalized with coronavirus in Minnesota–that’s up from 26 yesterday. At least 12,950 COVID-19 tests have been completed. MDH issued this statement today acknowledging the state’s second confirmed death from COVID-19: We are saddened to report that a second Minnesotan has died from a confirmed case of COVID-19. As with the first death announced March 21, this second death involved a resident of Ramsey County in their 80s. Officials are expected to provide more information during a 2 pm media briefing call.
MN Sec of State Simon considers voting options amid COVID-19
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon is considering voting options to safeguard Minnesota’s upcoming elections amid the current COVID-19 pandemic. Simon says “every day now I hear from Minnesotans who wonder how or even if we’re going to be voting in elections later this year. It’s a very high-stakes year obviously, and my answer is clear, the 2020 statewide elections in Minnesota must go on as scheduled.” Simons says there’s “no doubt in my mind that an election held during a pandemic will have to rely a lot more on a strong push in participation by mail.” Simon says with any significant changes there are many costs to consider–and would take months of planning. Click here for a link to Simon’s video message on voting considerations.
State lawmakers back at MN Capitol to pass COVID response legislation
Lawmakers are temporarily back at the State Capitol today for floor sessions to pass emergency legislation in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Governor Tim Walz has asked for an additional 356 million dollars, over and above the 200 million that lawmakers approved earlier before they returned to their districts when the coronavirus pandemic started gaining a foothold in Minnesota. The governor’s plan includes money to assist child care centers, food shelves, homeless shelters and veterans. It would also set up a 200-million-dollar fund that state agencies could use as they deem appropriate to combat COVID-19 and lessen its effect on Minnesotans. Lawmakers have been assembling their plans remotely and getting input electronically from constituents.
Minnesota business leaders say Walz stay-at-home order appropriate at this time
Leaders of Minnesota’s business community generally have good things to say about the stay-at-home order issued by Governor Tim Walz. Minnesota Chamber of Commerce President Doug Loon says he appreciates that it’s of short duration with “a robust list of exceptions.” Loon says, “It creates a balance, and… we want to emphasize that we need a balance between protecting public health and safeguarding our state’s economy for the long term, and we believe we can do both.” Loon says one unique feature of the governor’s order is “a process by which individual businesses can petition to see if they’re covered under the exceptions. And again, it’s flexible going forward so that there can be new interpretations of it, so that we can keep critical pieces of our economy going.”
Charlie Weaver with the Minnesota Business Partnership says the governor’s stay-at-home order “allows our state to effectively confront this public health threat while ensuring key sectors of our economy continue to function.”
But Senate Republican Majority Leader Paul Gazelka says while he shares the governor’s concerns about the safety of Minnesotans, he has grave concerns about a statewide stay-at-home order “and the consequences for the families of Minnesota when their jobs and businesses that provide their livelihood are lost.”
Gov. Walz issues stay-at-home order, Saturday thru April 10th
Governor Tim Walz is asking Minnesotans to stay at home from first thing Saturday morning through April 10th to “give Minnesota time to ready for battle” against the COVID-19 pandemic. The governor says testing wasn’t in place soon enough to “flatten the curve”, and Walz says the goal now is to slow down the rate of COVID infections and buy time until the state gets a “surge” of intensive care units in place. He says,
“If you get sick… and if you need an I-C-U, and if that I-C-U is available with a ventilator and all of the things you need, you have a 10 times greater chance of surviving this.” The governor says 85 percent of people who get COVID-19 experience only mild symptoms, but 15 percent require hospitalization — and a third of those hospitalized need to be in the intensive care unit. Walz is opting for a two-week shelter-in-place order because he says a longer one will not reduce the number of infections, just delay them.
The governor says under his order Minnesotans can still leave their homes to get groceries, fill the gas tank, see the doctor, care for others including pets — even get outside, but not close to other people.
The stay-at-home order does *not* apply to those in health care and related fields, law enforcement and first responders, employees at emergency shelters and congregate living facilities, child care, food and agriculture, energy, water and wastewater treatment, and critical manufacturing.
MN Sec of State Simon considers voting options amid COVID-19
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon is considering voting options to safeguard Minnesota’s upcoming elections amid the current COVID-19 pandemic. Simon says “every day now I hear from Minnesotans who wonder how or even if we’re going to be voting in elections later this year. It’s a very high-stakes year obviously, and my answer is […]
State lawmakers back at MN Capitol to pass COVID response legislation
Lawmakers are temporarily back at the State Capitol today for floor sessions to pass emergency legislation in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Governor Tim Walz has asked for an additional 356 million dollars, over and above the 200 million that lawmakers approved earlier before they returned to their districts when the coronavirus pandemic started gaining […]
Minnesota business leaders say Walz stay-at-home order appropriate at this time
Leaders of Minnesota’s business community generally have good things to say about the stay-at-home order issued by Governor Tim Walz. Minnesota Chamber of Commerce President Doug Loon says he appreciates that it’s of short duration with “a robust list of exceptions.” Loon says, “It creates a balance, and… we want to emphasize that we need […]
MN Track Coaches Association President discusses spring sports, including “virtual meet” (AUDIO)
(Wayzata, MN) — The prospective start of the spring high school sports seasons in Minnesota were pushed back again after Governor Tim Walz issued further regulations on everyday life in Minnesota. The Minnesota State High School League announced yesterday it will follow Walz’s school closing guidelines and that means there will be no high school […]
Vikings add players
The Minnesota Vikings agreed to contract terms Wednesday with wide receiver Tajae Sharpe and defensive end Anthony Zettel, adding two fifth-year veterans at positions vacated by star players. Sharpe played his first four NFL seasons for Tennessee, a fifth-round draft pick in 2016 out of Massachusetts. Sharpe had a career-high four touchdown receptions last year, […]
Gov. Walz issues stay-at-home order, Saturday thru April 10th
Governor Tim Walz is asking Minnesotans to stay at home from first thing Saturday morning through April 10th to “give Minnesota time to ready for battle” against the COVID-19 pandemic. The governor says testing wasn’t in place soon enough to “flatten the curve”, and Walz says the goal now is to slow down the rate […]
Governor limits movement during COVID-19 outbreak, starting Saturday
Here is a list of who is considered essential and who is not: Critical Business Information The executive order directs Minnesotans to limit movement to slow the spread of COVID-19 To slow the spread of COVID-19 across the state, Governor Tim Walz today signed Executive Order 20-20 directing Minnesotans to stay at home and limit […]
MDH: 287 cases of COVID-19 in MN, 26 hospitalized
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) says there are 287 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state–up from 262 reported cases Tuesday. As of today, 26 are hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Minnesota–that’s up from 15 Tuesday. At least 6,365 COVID-19 tests have been submitted to MDH. Officials caution that the virus is widespread and […]
MN BBB: public should be on high alert for phishing scams
With Congress poised to pass a $2 trillion COVID-19 stimulus deal, the Minnesota Better Business Bureau says consumers should be on high alert for phishing scams. Spokeswoman Bao Vang says thieves may attempt to steal personal or financial account information by sending deceptive electronic messages that trick unsuspecting consumers into disclosing personal information. Vang says […]
Lawmakers could return to State Capitol to pass COVID response bill
Legislative leaders are thinking about briefly calling lawmakers back to the State Capitol from their extended recess which was prompted by the coronavirus pandemic. “A Thursday possible session where we can vote on a package of responses to COVID-19,” says Democratic Representative Jennifer Schultz from Duluth. Republican Senator Scott Jensen from Chaska says, “Governor Walz […]