Recent content from Baird Helgeson
Morning Hot Dish: Labor's revenge
The Star Tribune's morning political newsletter
Senate DFLers to ask for special session on health insurance rates
Senate DFLers want to act fast before the new higher premiums take effect in January.
Obama calls Dayton after St. Cloud attack
President offers assistance after nine people stabbed in a St. Cloud mall.
Paulsen condemns Trump's comments after criticism
DCCC criticized Paulsen for not joining veteran groups in denouncing Trump's comments about family of soldier killed in Iraq
Dayton: Clinton 'dedicated her life to serving the needs of others'
Gov. Mark Dayton addressed the crowd at the DNC
Fitch lifts Minnesota to top credit rating
Rating increase reflects state's economy, budget reserves, financial health
Klobuchar to get second speaking turn at DNC
Klobuchar will talk about bringing orphans to their adoptive families in Minnesota after Haiti earthquake
Morning Hot Dish: Can Clinton hit the high bar tonight?
Philly Day Four
Dayton, Ellison ask Sanders' delegates to work for Clinton
Gov. Mark Dayton and Rep. Keith Ellison spoke to a breakfast for delegates from Minnesota and Tennessee at the Democratic National Convention and implored backers of Sen. Bernie Sanders to work for Hillary Clinton and other Democrats down the ballot.
Klobuchar touts Clinton's work against human trafficking
The Minnesota senator used a high-profile slot at the DNC to praise Democratic nominee.
Morning Hot Dish: 'It was quite a night for Minnesota'
Philly Day Two
Morning Hot Dish: Will Sanders and Clinton play nice?
The newsletter is live from the Democratic National Convention
Morning Hot Dish: 'Vote your conscience'
Cleveland Day Four
Morning Hot Dish newsletter
Cleveland Day Two.
Dayton, legislative leaders resume talks for special session
At stake is a menu of tax cuts, a new science building for the U and a new light-rail line.
Minnesota net tax collections totaled $21 billion in fiscal year 2016
Net tax collections for fiscal year 2016 were $230 million more than previously projected.
Walz rules annual congressional Hotdish competition with turkey tacos
First District Congressman Tim Walz continued his recent domination of the Minnesota delegation's annual hot dish competition with something called "Turkey Taco Tot Hotdish."
Klobuchar hosts roundtable on women violence measure
The Violence Against Women Act faces reauthorization in Congress.
Dayton vows veto of bill to reopen privately owned Appleton prison
The governor said the state must first look at expanding existing facilities and reducing prison sentences for low-level drug offenders.
See what you are missing in Star Tribune's politics newsletter
Highlights from the day's newsletter.
Minnesota reaction to Obama's Supreme Court pick
Politicians lining up in partisan showdown over Supreme Court nominee.
Minnesota's Oromo community protests at Capitol
The protest was in response to a crackdown on Oromo protestors in Ethiopia
GOP talks term limits, residency in 2nd District debate
With U.S. Rep. John Kline not seeking another term, the race is wide open to replace him.
Wayzata schools debate start times
School officials want to make elementary schools start earlier to high school students can get more rest.
Residents want proven leader in new Mpls. school superintendent
Community forum lets residents share their views on traits they want in next schools leader.
Hayden responds to Davis indictment
The Minnesota Senator served as a board member for the organization, which shut down last year after a state raid.
Vikings stadium more than 65 percent complete
Construction is costing $1.4 million a day, officials say, adding that more than 1,200 workers are involved from 300 Minnesota businesses.
Sister Cities annual conference lands in Minneapolis
International conference brings members, celebrities, political leaders and Olympians.
House Ethics Committee dismisses complaint filed by Rep. Kahn
GOP Rep. Denny McNamara called the ethics complaint 'frivolous.'
Small airplane catches fire at MSP
Nobody was on board the plane and no injuries were reported.
Minneapolis, Mall of America surveillance plane spotted
Plane had been spotted over Minneapolis, Bloomington and Edina.
Urban League ends contract with Mpls. schools, closes academy
Urban League officials say they were losing money on the school for at-risk youth, despite school district aid.
Minneapolis passes paid parental leave for employees
Full-time employees are eligible for three weeks of paid leave.
Copeland helps raze Sharing and Caring Hands for new facility
Sharing and Caring Hands founder Mary Jo Copeland hopped into a bulldozer Thursday morning and made the first pass at tearing down the homeless shelter she helped build. But it was a happy day.
Sharing and Caring Hands coming down to make way for new facility
Expanded Sharing and Caring Hands will open in July; no residents will be displaced during renovation.
Vikings stadium authority erupts in controversy over pay, roles
Chairwoman Michele Kelm-Helgen traded heated comments with John Griffith, a board member who has been an executive vice president at Target Corp.
Dayton orders umlauts restored in Lindstrom — uh, Lindström
The governor issued the order days after a Star Tribune report about city officials in Lindström upset that the town's new signage did not include the two dots over the 'o' in the town's name.
Minneapolis kicks off road construction season
The city will overhaul or repave more than 50 miles of roadway.
Minneapolis police investigate double homicide
Police found two victims in tan SUV in north Minneapolis after report of shots fired.
Minneapolis considers new rental permit system
The new system would penalize landlords with a history of problems and give consumers more information.
Minneapolis schools taking first steps in superintendent search
Minneapolis looking for search firms to find a new school leader.
Deal allows bridge, not tunnel, at Kenilworth for SW light-rail line
Agreement drops Park Board's bridge opposition for greater voice in Southwest and other LRT work.
U raises bar for revealing suspect's race in crime alerts
After a wave of student-led protests, including one earlier this month in which protesters staged a sit-in in president Eric Kaler's office, University of Minnesota officials have agreed to end their policy of publishing the race of suspects in campus crime alerts.
Crews respond to early-morning fire at Alliance Steel
Fire officials say they believe a spark caused the blaze.
Minneapolis gathers feedback on goals
More trees, additional help for sustainable businesses are among the top suggestions.
Feds reject hydroelectric plan on Upper St. Anthony Falls
The project is one of three hydro generators proposed on the upper falls.
Clean Energy Partnership fires up
The board has goals of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions by 30 percent by 2025.
Minneapolis taking steps to prevent trees from toppling
City considering measures called for after 2013 storms down thousands of trees.
Minneapolis cuts graffiti cleanup funds
'Innovative Graffiti Prevention' micro grant program won't be funded next year.
Jon Stewart slams #pointergate story on 'Daily Show'
Host Jon Stewart mocks local TV news story, says he wonders how two people pointing at each other gets "painted as a gang thing."
Minneapolis schools to make suspending students of color more difficult
Proposed suspensions of minority students will first need approval of superintendent's office.
DFLers press GOP for more evidence in Hayden inquiry
Sen. Jeff Hayden faces ethics inquiry over potentially directing money to group with ties to his father.
April 14: Minnesota makes history with largest minimum wage hike
The bill, signed into law Monday, will raise the base wage from $6.15 to $9.50 an hour and give raises to more than 325,000 Minnesotans.
Governor: Political rookie Scott Honour makes his case
Republican Scott Honour has made a fortune confounding doubters in the business world. Now he is out to do it in politics, without a shred of political experience or even his party's endorsement.
Minnesota property taxes to go down, with help of aids and credits
A new report by nonpartisan legislative analysts has touched off a fresh round of political fighting over property taxes.
Minnesota property taxes down, with help of state aid, credits
But Republicans say taxes actually are rising for all.
Zellers touts Dayton's 'surrender' after shutdown
Zellers highlighting shutdown also reminds Minnesotans that Republicans suffered historic losses and Dayton did finally get the tax hikes he wanted.
Minnesota tax collections beat annual target by $168 million
Stronger than expected income tax collections allowed state to keep budget forecast on track.
Zellers picks up legislative endorsements
Sixteen current and former legislators endorsing Zellers for governor.
Star Tribune buyer Glen Taylor has GOP tilt to giving
Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor says he tends to support moderate candidates from either party whose views are similar to his.
In Mpls., Obama defends record, tries to reignite Democrats
The president came to Minnesota to show that he is in touch with middle-class struggles.
Obama presses for higher base wage, equal pay
Obama said he shares the frustrations of Minnesotans who went to college, work hard and still struggle to buy homes, pay for child care and dig out from student loan debt.
Gov. Mark Dayton is starting to sound like candidate Dayton
Dayton is starting to sketch out the political narrative that will shape his first-ever re-election campaign. He is talking more about his job-creation accomplishments.
Dayton joins Iron Range rally seeking end to illegal steel dumping
More than 1,500 attended the Iron Range rally as the federal government scrutinizes foreign steel imports.
Minnesota, Wisconsin are back negotiating tax reciprocity
Minnesota revenue officials on Thursday offered to lower Wisconsin's annual payment by $1 million if the Badger State approves of the agreement by Sept. 30.
Minnesota makes another push for income tax reciprocity
Minnesota offers to shave $1 million from Wisconsin's annual bill if an agreement can be reached.
GOP group launches radio ad against Dayton
Americans for Prosperity accuses Dayton of over spending, but rival group says the GOP only looking out for millionaires.
Minnesota parties fight for relevance in political primaries
DFL and GOP candidates are taking on endorsed candidates, forcing the parties to prove their relevance.
GOP group blasts Dayton over health insurance overhaul
Minnesota Jobs Coaltion attacks President Obama and links health care overhaul to Gov. Mark Dayton.
Dayton off to D.C. to press for water project funding, talk economy
The governor will join the congressional delegation in pushing for Lewis and Clark water pipeline funding and join Lynx for White House celebration.
