New Department of Human Services Commissioner Jodi Harpstead called key lawmakers personally on Monday to inform them of the new round of costly mista

Minnesota agencies too lax on grant safeguards, legislative auditor finds

A new report called for changes in how the Behavioral Health Division and State Arts Board give out taxpayer dollars.

Minnesota DFL wants faster clean energy permits, but some are wary of shortcutting public input

April 25
Sen. Nick Frentz, DFL-North Mankato, speaks on the Senate floor in the State Capitol where he has sponsored a bill to streamline the permit process fo
Lawmakers promise an effort to cut red tape for clean power won't result in meaningfully less oversight or public involvement.

What we know about the Sen. Nicole Mitchell burglary allegations so far

29 minutes ago
Minnesota State Senator Nicole Mitchell (DFL) listens to a response to one of her questions from Rebecca Wilcox, Child Safety and Prevention Manager
The incident complicates the final weeks of the 2024 legislative session.
Nation
3 minutes ago

Maine govenor signs off on new gun laws, mental health supports in wake of Lewiston shootings

Democratic Gov. Janet Mills on Friday signed into law a suite of gun safety legislation approved by lawmakers after the deadliest mass shooting in state history, expanding background checks for private sales of weapons, bolstering the state's ''yellow flag'' law, criminalizing the transfer of guns to prohibited people and expanding mental health crisis care.
Nation
4 minutes ago

Charges against Trump's 2020 'fake electors' are expected to deter a repeat this year

An Arizona grand jury's indictment of 18 people who either posed as or helped organize a slate of electors falsely claiming that former President Donald Trump won the state in 2020 could help shape the landscape of challenges to the 2024 election.
Business
6 minutes ago

Tech CEOs Altman, Nadella, Pichai and others join government AI safety board led by DHS' Mayorkas

The CEOs of leading U.S. technology companies are joining a new artificial intelligence safety board to advise the federal government on how to protect the nation's critical services from ''AI-related disruptions.''
Nation
9 minutes ago

The Latest | Cross-examination of key witness in Trump's hush money trial concludes

Defense lawyers in Donald Trump's hush money trial dug Friday into assertions of the former publisher of the National Enquirer and his efforts to protect Trump from negative stories during the 2016 election.
Business
15 minutes ago

Rooting for Trump to fail has made his stock shorters millions

Rooting for Donald Trump to fail has rarely been this profitable.
Nation
35 minutes ago

President Joe Biden says he's 'happy to debate' Donald Trump during interview with Howard Stern

President Joe Biden said Friday that he is willing to debate his presumptive Republican opponent, Donald Trump, later this fall – his most definitive comment yet on the issue.
Nation
58 minutes ago
Former President Donald Trump in the courtroom for his criminal trial at Manhattan Criminal Court in Manhattan, on Friday, April 26, 2024.

Trump's lawyers seek to discredit testimony of prosecution's lead witness in hush money trial

Donald Trump's defense team in his hush money case sought Friday to undermine the testimony of the prosecution's lead witness and his account that a tabloid's practice of helping to bury embarrassing stories about Trump was part of a scheme to aid the Republican's 2016 campaign.
Nation
6:22am

AP Decision Notes: What to expect in New York's special congressional election

House Republicans' majority could tighten by another vote after Tuesday's special congressional election in Buffalo — at least, temporarily.
Nation
1:28am

Utah Republicans to select nominee for Mitt Romney's open US Senate seat

A dozen Utah Republicans vying to replace Mitt Romney in the U.S. Senate are set to square off Saturday for the party nomination in a race expected to reveal the brand of political conservatism that most appeals to modern voters in the state.
Business
April 25

Trading Trump: Truth Social's first month of trading has sent investors on a ride

There have been lawsuits, short-selling and rampant speculation. Now, as Trump Media & Technology Group approaches its first month as a publicly traded company, it's clear that — like the man it's named after — there's nothing typical about the stock.
Nation
April 25

Tennessee lawmakers OK bill penalizing adults who help minors receive gender-affirming care

Tennessee's GOP-controlled Statehouse on Thursday gave their final approval to legislation penalizing adults who help minors receive gender-affirming care without parental consent, clearing the way for the first-in-the-nation proposal to be sent to Gov. Bill Lee's desk for his signature.
Nation
April 25

Key moments from landmark Supreme Court arguments on Trump's immunity claims

There was talk of drone strikes and presidential bribes, of a potential ruling ''for the ages'' and of the Founding Fathers, too. The presidential race went unmentioned but was not far from mind.
Nation
April 25

17 states challenge federal rules entitling workers to accommodations for abortion

Republican attorneys general from 17 states filed a lawsuit Thursday challenging new federal rules entitling workers to time off and other accommodations for abortions, calling the rules an illegal interpretation of a 2022 federal law.
Politics
April 25

Debates to play a major role in Pennsylvania's 2024 US Senate election

Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania on Thursday proposed a series of debates with his Republican challenger David McCormick leading up to the November general election, and McCormick readily accepted.
Nation
April 25
FILE - The Supreme Court of the United States is seen in Washington, March 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades, File)

Supreme Court seems skeptical of Trump's claim of absolute immunity but decision's timing is unclear

The Supreme Court on Thursday appeared likely to reject former President Donald Trump's claim of absolute immunity from prosecution over election interference, but several justices signaled reservations about the charges that could cause a lengthy delay, possibly beyond November's election.
Nation
April 25

The Latest | Hearing on claims of gag order violations in Trump's hush money trial rescheduled

The third day of witness testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial concluded Thursday after Trump's lawyers got their first chance to question a witness on the stand.
Nation
April 25

USC's move to cancel commencement amid protests draws criticism from students, alumni

The University of Southern California's decision Thursday to cancel its main graduation ceremony, a move that came 10 days after administrators said the student valedictorian who had expressed support for Palestinians would not be allowed to speak, left students and alumni stunned as protests over the Israel-Hamas war continue to spread on campuses nationwide.
Business
April 25

Net neutrality restored as FCC votes to regulate internet providers

The Federal Trade Commission on Thursday voted to restore ''net neutrality'' rules that prevent broadband internet providers such as Comcast and Verizon from favoring some sites and apps over others.
Business
April 25

Biden celebrates computer chip factories, pitching voters on American 'comeback'

President Joe Biden on Thursday sought to sell voters on an American ''comeback story'' as he highlighted longterm investments in the economy in upstate New York to celebrate Micron Technology's plans to build a campus of computer chip factories made possible in part with government support.
Nation
April 25

Trump downplays deadly Charlottesville rally by comparing it to campus protests over Gaza war

Donald Trump on Thursday claimed the 2017 white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, was ''nothing'' compared to ongoing pro-Palestinian campus protests, the latest instance in which he has downplayed a racist incident that was one of the most criticized moments of his presidency.

Minnesota Politics

Latest politics news from the Twin Cities, Minnesota and Washington, D.C., including Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Minnesota Legislature, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter.