Recent content from Maya Rao
Ilhan Omar dominated among students, rival's analysis shows
Maneuvering in a white suit and red bow tie, Brian Rice pointed to the board drawn over with an election analysis in the second-floor conference…
Relentlessness helped Ilhan Omar to seal historic win
Her state House campaign to unseat Rep. Phyllis Kahn knocked on thousands of doors and spread its reach wide.
Fierce battle in Minnesota's 2nd District GOP primary
Voters are weighing four candidates in the Republican primary on Tuesday, in the nationally watched race to replace retiring Rep. John Kline.
With Capitol renovation in final stretch, state's crown jewel gleams again
Capitol's first restoration in more than 100 years is nearing completion.
Money flows into competitive Minnesota legislative races
The fight for funds is fierce, with all 201 seats and no governor up for election.
True believers bond over Trump at St. Louis Park tavern
Emilie Maua cried as she watched Donald Trump accept the Republican nomination for president. It was not that her hero had said much of anything…
Hillary Clinton stops in Mpls., pledging strong support for teachers
The presumptive presidential nominee tells nation's No. 2 union that it will have ally in the White House.
Stung by defeats, Democrats shift strategy on gun control
The party is bringing its case to the people, with leaders urging members to conduct sit-ins around the country as they try to sustain the flash of activism on the gun issue.
Minnesota gun enthusiasts hold fast to AR-15
In the world of competition shooting, one of the country's most-feared weapons is favored
Rifle used in Orlando popular among Minn. gun enthusiasts
The AR-15 is a top choice among hunters and hobbyists. It has also been used in some of the worst mass shootings in recent years, including Sandy Hook.
Minnesota pension changes get pushed off to next year
Legislators put off the issue when a deal fell through this session.
State's new rail director will tackle oil-train safety, other issues
The map above Alene Tchourumoff’s desk shows lines that appear, at first, to denote rivers — they sprawl and branch off, weaving and curving across…
Minnesota will spend $35 million to advance racial equity
Amid the partisan rancor over a $260 million tax-break bill, Gov. Mark Dayton last week approved many racial equity measures that won broad support.…
The pre-midnight special: Bill runner a key player in last-minute frenzy
The man hand-delivering legislation from chamber to chamber had to race across street due to construction.
Tin Cup caucus convenes at St. Paul watering hole
“I dare you to go talk to that dude in the hat,” the school bus lobbyist is telling me. We are sitting at Tin Cup’s…
In first crack in stalemate, Minn. legislators agree on $259M tax bill
Outstate Minnesota wins big in tax bill; St. Paul soccer stadium included.
Feb. 1: Minnesota leaders' full-page ad decries bigotry toward Muslims
From across a broad spectrum, hate messages declared "un-Minnesotan."
GOP's $800 million public-works bill fails to pass
Legislative leaders are still negotiating over final budget priorities.
Law enforcement is flexing its muscle at Minnesota Capitol
Police groups' influence over legislative process on display with key bills.
Homeland Security holds firm: No Real ID, no access to military bases, federal buildings
The Department of Homeland Security has told Gov. Mark Dayton that it would not allow Minnesotans to use their driver's licenses to access federal buildings…
Sunday liquor store sales remain illegal after loss at Legislature
For lawmakers, it was a frenzied day on smaller issues, but no progress on the big ones.
Outstate cities press for legislative action in Minnesota
Armed with ice cream, city officials from around the state lobby for more spending in rural areas.
Body-cam bill with restrictions on public access advances in Minnesota House
Over the protests of its chairwoman, the House data practices committee approved legislation that would give law enforcement more control over recordings they make during interactions with citizens.
Legislators struggle to strike balance with body cameras
State lawmakers are struggling to balance privacy rights, transparency, policing needs.
Dayton and DFLers press GOP for details of bonding proposal
House Republicans have offered to spend $600M on statewide projects.
Minnesota Poll: Most favor Supreme Court nominee, Senate vote
A strong majority of Minnesotans say the U.S. Senate should immediately hold confirmation hearings and vote on Merrick Garland's Supreme Court nomination.
State's cosmetologists brace for regulatory overhaul
Clearer rules and a focus on cleanliness should help streamline the process.
Minneapolis Council Member Warsame backs Mohamud Noor in race vs. Rep. Kahn
Minneapolis official supported longtime legislator 2 years ago.
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton appoints state rail director
The newly created position comes amid growing concern about oil train safety
State considers expanding list of jobs that will require license
These proposals are unfolding amid a national debate about the increasing appearance of licensure requirements in jobs that once required none.
Minnesota edging closer to Real ID compliance
State leaders are looking to approve changes to comply with federal law this session.
Rep. Phyllis Kahn fights to stay relevant as DFL pushes for new blood
Longtime state Rep. Phyllis Kahn has been one of the most reliably liberal voices at the State Capitol, blazing the way on everything from anti-smoking…
Rybak, Dibble endorse Ilhan Omar over Rep. Kahn in DFL battle
Omar is trying to defeat Rep. Phyllis Kahn, the Legislature's longest-serving member
Rep. Kahn, rivals head to primary without DFL endorsement
Ilhan Omar came within a few votes of securing the party's endorsement, but the day ended without a nod to anyone.
Minn. legislators want railroads to open books on emergency response
Local officials want to be better prepared for oil train derailments
Minnesota cities rush to restrict where sex offenders live
The issue is politically perilous for leaders of both parties, who must weigh the constitutional questions vs. the political blowback from releasing potentially dangerous offenders into the community.
For Minnesota, presidential primaries in sight
Minnesota legislators are edging closer to switching the state to a presidential primary for the 2020 election, a rare flash of bipartisan accord during a…
Minnesotans with student loan debt speak out to legislators
Legislators heard testimony Wednesday from people saddled with college debt as they considered several proposals to ease the burden for many of the 882,000 current or former student borrowers in the state.
Minnesota moves closer to planning Real ID
The Minnesota House passed a bill Tuesday evening to repeal a ban on Minnesota officials researching steps toward complying with a federal law to upgrade…
DFL legislators want pension fund investments in fossil fuel firms to end
DFL legislators want state pension fund managers to dump fossil fuel stocks.
Minnesota GOP leader breaks with Trump, Cruz on Muslims
Minnesota GOP Chairman Keith Downey is breaking from leading Republican presidential candidates after controversial remarks about Muslims by Donald Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.…
DFL takes battle over paid family leave to Capitol
Minnesota DFLers are intensifying efforts to adopt one of the most sweeping paid family leave policies in the country, an effort gaining wide support from labor unions and low-income groups.
Dayton signs Iron Range jobless benefits extension after House OK
After frantic and uncertain day, House has agreed to pass measure to extend benefits for 26 weeks.
Dayton wants $4M set aside for PolyMet legal costs
Minnesota is now spending $60,000 a month on a Washington, D.C., firm hired to protect the state against future lawsuits related to PolyMet Mining Corp.
Minnesota unemployment fund reaches solvency as politicians weigh refunds
The Minnesota House passed a measure Thursday to extend benefits for laid-off steel workers on the Iron Range but also return millions of dollars in unemployment insurance to employers.
Doctor-assisted suicide proposal tabled after emotional hearing
Sen. Chris Eaton abruptly withdrew the measure in a hearing that drew hundreds of people and hours of wrenching testimony.
DFL, GOP still split on Iron Range benefits
Republicans push for business tax cuts as part of the relief legislation.
Why Donald Trump? A look at some of his Minnesota supporters
His own party fears and distrusts him. His critics call him a phony or a fascist. His backers see him as the sole choice.
Minnesota pensions struggle to divest from Iran
State law says they must divest from firms doing business there — as more aim to do.
Tensions erupt over jobless benefits, setting tone at Capitol
As the session opens next week, fur is already flying over help for Iron Range.
Caucus lines, waits bring calls for Minnesota to move to primary
Gov. Dayton is the latest official urging the change, which would allow for all-day voting.
Minnesota has $900M budget surplus; lower than expected
Officials had been counting on a projected surplus of $1.2 billion for the upcoming legislative session, which begins next month.
Dayton and legislative leaders predict tough session
Big disagreements loom on both education and transportation issues.
High stakes fuel flames in races to succeed GOP Rep. Kline
The contest to replace retiring U.S. Rep. John Kline is intensifying as Republican candidates struggle to break out from the crowded field.
Democrats' battle for black voters hits Minnesota
The state's relatively small black population is not likely to swing the vote in the upcoming caucuses between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, but the fight reflects a larger, national battle for black voters.
Biden: St. Paul's Union Depot highlights stimulus' success
Vice President Joe Biden came to St. Paul on Thursday to praise the Union Depot, the multimillion dollar renovation aided by federal stimulus money, as part of a two-day, three-city tour to highlight the importance of the federal stimulus program.
Minn. legislators use campaign cash for child care, pet urns and travel
Legislators use campaign funds for golf, luggage, Vegas hotels, and it's OK.
Dayton urges 6 weeks of paid parental leave for state workers
Program for state workers is "just crucial," he says.
High life expectancy strains Minnesota pension systems
Our 2nd-highest U.S. life expectancy throws a wrench in retirement funds' projections.
Chelsea Clinton rallies the faithful in Twin Cities
Clinton says her mother will fight for expanded health care, paid leave.
House GOP and DFL both raise more than $1 million
Republicans and DFLers each raised over $1M last year in fight for the state House.
St. Cloud comes to grips with clashes between immigrants, longtimers
Amid racial tension, Dayton looks to bolster local human rights office
'Making a Murderer' defense attorney makes case at Minnesota Capitol
Dean Strang makes his case for better public defense.
Bernie Sanders brings fiery populist message to St. Paul
Hours after speaking to 6,000 people in Duluth, Sanders addressed more than 14,000 at RiverCentre, aiming for momentum before the Iowa caucuses on Monday.
Dayton selects first openly gay judge for state Supreme Court
Minnesota Appeals Court Judge Margaret Chutich was the pick for the state's highest court.
Capitol parking ramp at risk of 'catastrophic failure,' state says
Dayton seeks to head off any risk of "catastrophic failure."
Dec. 21, 2014: Minnesota's oldest resident dies at 114
Minnesota's oldest resident was an enthusiastic user of technology right up until she died in her sleep Sunday at age 114.
Part 4: Minneapolis teen struggles to avoid line of fire
Part 4: One family shows how the threat of illegal firearms hangs over life on North Side.
Part 3: Illegal gun market thrives in Minn.; penalties light
Federal law enforcement officials say their limited presence in the state and significant constraints in federal law present serious obstacles to cracking down on illegal gun trafficking.
Part 2: One stolen gun blazes violent path
Thousands of illegal guns flood city streets, moving easily from hand to hand.
March 17: A gun at 14, then a senseless killing
Two young lives are swept away in Minneapolis by a relentless flow of illegal firearms.
Feb. 24: American Indians' autopsy protests lead to a teachable moment
After scrambling to head off two autopsies, tribal advocates urge public officials to honor Indian religious traditions.
After restraining order, Clarkfield, Minn., is a town without a mayor
A restraining order is keeping Albert Gates away from city meetings until June.
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