Recent content from Briana Bierschbach
What did — and didn't — get done at the Minnesota Capitol this legislative session
Legislators left plenty of work on the table as they negotiate a possible special session.
Billions in limbo as retiring legislators say farewell
Gov. Tim Walz ended a meeting with top legislative leaders on Monday with no timeline or clarity on next steps. Walz said he's ready to call legislators back, but Republicans in the Senate asked for a few days to "decompress."
Tax deal reached in final weekend of session at State Capitol
The fate of the $4 billion package is tied to other fights over spending on classrooms, health care and public safety.
Gov. Tim Walz expected to end first term with zero vetoes
Governors before him have made extensive use of their veto pens.
Most work remains undone in Minnesota Legislature's final weekend
Legislators have agreed on a drought relief package, state worker contracts and a higher education spending bill.
Lawmakers strike deal to allow growler sales by big brewers
The deal doubles what craft distilleries can sell to customers each day.
Late Rep. Jim Hagedorn's family sues his widow for medical expenses
Jennifer Carnahan, Hagedorn's widow, says the matter needs to go through the probate process.
Where does money for tax cut, spending deal come from?
The roughly $12 billion deal doesn't include an agreement lawmakers already struck earlier this year to replenish the state's unemployment insurance trust fund and send checks to frontline workers. Here are answers to some common questions about how they plan to pay for it all.
Minnesota State Auditor Julie Blaha tests positive for COVID
The first-term DFLer will miss the party's convention in Rochester to quarantine.
Minnesota's divided Capitol strikes end-of-session deal
Gov. Tim Walz said he and top legislative leaders have agreed to the "broad framework" of a deal to spend a historic budget surplus to cut taxes, spend money on classrooms and public safety.
Long agenda remains for final legislative session week
Legislators remain far apart on on tax cuts, public safety and funding for classrooms.
Minnesota labor leaders call on Senate to ratify state employee contracts
The contracts must be ratified before legislators go home for the year.
Minnesota marijuana party grapples with spoiler label in swing races
Several members are pushing to change the name of the Grassroots Legalize Cannabis Party to address concerns.
Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman tests positive for COVID
The legislative leader said she will continue to participate in end-of-session negotiations remotely.
2022 legislative session: What's at stake, issue by issue
We track the status of top issues ahead of the Legislature's May 23 adjournment.
Sexual assault counselors push to protect victim confidentiality
Advocates say disclosure of information could have a chilling effect on the willingness to report.
Rich Stanek looks to law enforcement record for breakaway in Minnesota GOP governor field
The former Hennepin County sheriff is among a half dozen candidates vying for the party's nomination.
Mondale remembered: 'One of the finest men I've ever known'
The late Minnesotan climbed to the pinnacle of U.S. politics as an influential senator and vice president.
If justices overturn Roe, Minnesota could become an island for legal abortions
If the U.S. Supreme Court overturns the landmark abortion case, states like Minnesota could become islands for women seeking the procedure.
Candidate's labor during convention sparks debate over Minnesota's endorsement process
Critics say the often-lengthy weekend conventions are inaccessible to the average voter.
Minnesota leaders strike deal on unemployment insurance, frontline worker pay
Businesses face a Saturday deadline to pay increased taxes to help fill a state fund for unemployed workers.
Ellison sues four Utah solar firms over 'deceptive' practices
The lawsuit follows complaints from dozens of homeowners who said the sales people used high-pressure tactics to get them to sign contracts.
Gov. Tim Walz calls for unity in fourth State of State address
Walz made a call for unity in front of Democratic and Republican legislators Sunday night in his fourth State of the State address, returning to the Minnesota House chamber for the speech for the first time since the onset of coronavirus.
Walter Mondale's memorial service scheduled for May 1
The late vice president and influential senator will be remembered for his lasting legacy in state and national politics.
Minnesota GOP governor candidate Paul Gazelka picks former Woodbury mayor as running mate
Mary Giuliani Stevens joins Gazelka's ticket just weeks ahead of the Republican Party's endorsing convention.
DFL aims to make Minnesota an early presidential primary state
The Democratic National Committee is looking at which states will have an early say in the 2024 primary cycle.
Minnesota legislators tangle with tech giants over social media content for kids
A proposal targeting Big Tech's algorithms has drawn the companies' intense opposition.
Walz leads GOP challengers in fundraising heading into midterm election
Republican donors are split among more than a half-dozen candidates for the nomination.
Walz touts budget plan around state with lawmakers on break
More than halfway through the legislative session, only a handful of bills have landed on the governor's desk.
Minnesota legislator opens up about battle with long COVID: A 'new form of isolation'
DFL Sen. Lindsey Port said more people need to talk about the condition to help find solutions.
Legislators tackle 'dire' staffing shortages in long-term care
Today, 23,000 job openings exist in long-term care in the state — roughly a fifth of the industry's workforce — a situation that has caused some facilities to limit admissions, while others are closing down.
Minnesota legislators pass $1M for bird flu response
H5NI has now been found in turkey flocks in 12 Minnesota counties.
Voting starts Friday in First District special primary election
Twenty candidates from across southern Minnesota are vying to replace the late Rep. Jim Hagedorn in Congress.
Minnesota GOP eyes 'Virginia model' for midterm success
Democrats say there are key differences between the two states and their candidates this fall.
An extinct, bear-sized beaver could be chosen as Minnesota's state fossil
A bill was laid over for possible inclusion in a broader package of bills later in the session.
Review: Response after Floyd killing lacked clear leadership
State and local law enforcement didn't act quickly enough to coordinate after riots broke out after George Floyd's killing and response teams lacked "clear, experienced" leadership, according to an external review.
Minnesota lawmakers extend reinsurance program for three years
The deal comes one day ahead of a federal deadline to reauthorize the program.
Gov. Tim Walz returns to Minnesota Capitol for annual address
The State of the State will be delivered April 24 from the House chamber.
First-in-the-nation state office takes on epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous Minnesotans
Juliet Rudie leads the new office after nearly 30 years in law enforcement.
Legislature faces deadline on Minnesota's health 'reinsurance' program
The costly program has been credited with stabilizing the individual insurance marketplace.
Millions in federal dollars are earmarked for local projects across Minnesota
Some members of the state's congressional delegation supported efforts to bring federal dollars back to the state.
Minnesotans pushed to restore Tribal Nations' ability to prosecute sex crimes
A new law allows tribes to take action against non-tribal members for sexual violence on reservation land.
Mediation continues over the weekend between Minneapolis teachers union, school district
Friday marked the ninth day classes were canceled by the strike.
Do you remember life before Roe v. Wade? We want to hear your story
The Supreme Court is expected to rule this summer in a case that could determine the future of abortion access in the United States.
Twenty candidates file for First District special election
The congressional seat is open after the death of U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn in February.
'Can't lose any more ground': Dems try to slow rural red wave
The trend is exacerbating geographic political divides and limiting places for the DFL to make inroads in 2022.
Citing possible voter fraud, GOP targets program for those at high safety risk
Safe at Home allows victims of intimate partner violence and others to shield their addresses from aggressors.
Minnesota legislators push to divest state pension funds from Russia
The move comes after Gov. Tim Walz ordered agencies to stop contracts with Russian entities.
Redistricting threatens historic progress for women at Minn. Capitol
A number of prominent female legislators chose to retire after being paired in the same district with male colleagues.
Group pushes to take children off Minnesota's Predatory Offender Registry
Patty Wetterling is among those who say the registry has grown too punitive over the years.
Constituents and colleagues to remember Rep. Jim Hagedorn at services Saturday
Services will be held at his boyhood church in Truman, Minn., followed by burial in Blue Earth.
Gov. Walz orders state agencies to cut ties with Russia
The executive order comes as other states are joining the federal government in imposing sanctions.
Minnesota Senate GOP advances 'parents rights' proposals
Democrats criticized part of the package as costly and unnecessary.
New maps draw 'powerhouse' districts for Minnesota tribes
The courts united all seven of Minnesota's Anishinaabe tribes into the Eighth Congressional District and created a new opportunity in the state Senate.
Minnesota's divided Legislature clashes on tax cuts, frontline worker pay
Democrats passed $1 billion in frontline worker checks while Republicans pitch spending most of the surplus on tax cuts.
Senate GOP wants to add Minnesota to national nurse licensure compact
The state's nurses union criticizes the proposal as an attack on bargaining rights.
Suburbs remain legislative battleground under new Minnesota political maps
The court-drawn redistricting maps could continue fluctuating control of the Minnesota House and Senate for the next 10 years.
Maps show how redistricting reshapes Minnesota's political borders
Every legislative seat is up for re-election in a redistricting year, meaning control of state government is at stake in the fall election.
Minnesota congressional boundaries shift under new state district maps
The courts made the biggest shifts in the competitive Second District.
Senate Republicans introduce 'Minn. Parents Bill of Rights'
The package includes bills that would require districts and teachers to provide a wide range of information to parents.
Minn. Senate passes $1M marketing proposal to promote police
Democrats questioned timing so soon after fatal police shooting of Amir Locke.
Paul Gazelka hopes tough-on-crime focus gives him an edge in governor's race
The four-term senator is one of more than a half dozen candidates vying for the GOP nod to take on Gov. Tim Walz.
Four things to watch in Minnesota's new redistricting maps
A court-appointed panel is expected to release the state's new legislative and congressional boundaries Tuesday.
Republicans seek quick action to refill Minnesota's jobless fund
Businesses are facing double-digit payroll tax hikes without action from lawmakers by March 15.
Minnesota leaders debate how to tackle state's historic workforce shortage
Both parties agree the state should take immediate steps to address shortages in health care and law enforcement.
Walz authorizes National Guard to deploy if needed for civil rights trial of three former Minneapolis officers
The National Guard is also prepared if Minneapolis requests assistance following the fatal police shooting of Amir Locke.
Minnesota Legislature extends COVID-19 presumption for workers' compensation
The new law will extend the benefits for public safety and health care workers until January 2023.
Legislators kick off session with big surplus, long list of priorities
DFL Gov. Tim Walz and both parties in the divided Legislature have outlined lengthy — and at times dueling — lists of priorities in recent weeks.
State DFL, Republican parties unite to promote Tuesday caucuses
Activists will gather across the state Tuesday to select delegates and vote in preference polls.
Gov. Walz's tax plan harks back to 'Jesse checks' days
Like former Gov. Jesse Ventura, Walz must convince a divided Legislature to back his plan.
Minnesota's $7.7 billion surplus: What should the state do with it?
The governor and legislative leaders weigh in.
'Natural immunity' claims part of state GOP vaccine pushback
The idea is gaining traction in Republican-led legislatures around the country, despite pushback from public heath officials who say protection from infection varies dramatically from case to case.
Klobuchar, bipartisan group travel to Ukraine as Russian threats escalate
The Minnesota Democrat said there's bipartisan support for sanctions if Russia attacks.
Minnesota U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber launches bid for third term
The Eighth District Republican said Democrats' control of Washington isn't working.
Minnesota's 2022 political dates to watch
Ahead this year: the legislative session, endorsing conventions, elections and more.
