Recent content from Briana Bierschbach
Tensions build between Walz, progressives over police protests
Some Democrats have been vocal in opposing projectiles and tear gas deployed against protesters.
Minnesota officials extend peacetime emergency for 30 days
Top Democrats say the powers are needed as the state distributes doses of the vaccine.
Walz looks to extend powers, but no new restrictions seen
Walz plans to extend emergency powers for another 30 days on Wednesday, citing the need for continued vigilance.
Historic class of women shaping Minnesota policy, budgets
More women are in the Legislature than ever before, and changing it: They're using strength in numbers to push issues that sat stagnant for years in the male-dominated Capitol.
Where big issues stand at the Minnesota Legislature
The divided Legislature has just a few weeks to pass a two-year state budget and try to strike a deal on other key policy issues.
Minn. Senate considering bill to redefine 'mentally incapacitated' for rape victims
A proposal moving in the House would broadly overhaul the state's criminal sexual conduct laws.
$31B investment is a lifeline for tribes devastated by COVID
Millions of dollars will flow directly to Minnesota's 11 tribal nations to offset lost revenue when they closed their enterprises during the pandemic, and to boost vaccination efforts and increase testing.
'So far behind': Minnesotans eye federal infrastructure bill for languishing projects
Details are scant so far on how much the state could get if the $2.3 trillion package passes Congress.
Pressure growing on Minnesota lawmakers to adopt stronger sexual assault laws
A recent Minnesota Supreme Court decision renewed calls for legislative action.
Walz says 'normalcy is on the horizon' in annual address
The first-term governor warned Minnesotans to get vaccinated and stay vigilant as cases start to rise again, spurred in part by more infectious variants of the virus
Minnesota police reform debate plays out in legislators' Zoom backgrounds
House Public Safety Committee approved police accountability bill.
In Minnesota, partisan divide over disclosing COVID vaccination
Survey of elected officials found only a handful of Republicans responded to questions about vaccination status.
First Minnesotan charged in connection to U.S. Capitol breach
Moorhead man allegedly boasted that he went to "strike fear" into Congress.
Walz scales back tax increases, boosts tax relief in revised budget
The governor revised his plan after the February economic forecast projected a $1.6 billion surplus. He cut back nearly $1 billion in tax increases he'd previously proposed for cigarettes, large estates and corporations.
Decades after Wetterling abduction, new push to take juveniles off predatory list
Minnesota's Predatory Offender Registry now has more than 18,000 names on it.
Minnesota Democrats tout $1.9 trillion stimulus package
Minnesota will get money for vaccine distribution, stimulus checks and more.
What you need to know about Minnesota's COVID-19 restrictions
The latest updates on Gov. Tim Walz's coronavirus restrictions, from mask mandates to caps on gatherings.
Walz will roll back COVID-19 restrictions
The changes come as the state hits new vaccination milestones. The governor said he plans to deliver the news in a live address at 11 a.m.
Minnesota Senate passes tax relief on pandemic aid for some businesses, workers
Some Democrats argue the proposal doesn't go far enough to help workers.
Physician, former GOP senator jumps into Minnesota governor race
Scott Jensen served one term in the Minnesota Senate and has been a frequent critic of the state's response to COVID-19.
Voting rights clash brewing at Minnesota Capitol
Nationwide push based on false claims that 2020 election results tainted.
Support grows for raw cannabis, smoking in state pot program
Bills moving through the Minnesota Legislature would allow patients 21 and older to purchase the raw, plant form of cannabis and smoke it.
Minnesota legislation aims to stop price gougers during a crisis
When devastating winter storms hit Texas this month, the price gougers moved in.Hundreds of thousands of people were without power, heat or water, so the…
Minnesota's projected budget shortfall flips to $1.6B surplus
News sets the stage for months of budget negotiations at the State Capitol and adds fuel to a political fight over taxes.
Minnesota bill targets Apple and Google's smartphone app fees
The legislation is part of a new push in state legislatures to chip away at the power of Big Tech.
Twin Cities businesses damaged in riots seek state help
Lawmakers couldn't agree on an aid package last year. Now, a House bill is proposing to borrow $300 million for rebuilding aid.
'It's coming': Minnesota recreational marijuana bill passes first-ever legislative committee
Democrats are showing stronger support for the bill than in past sessions, but it still faces a hurdle in the GOP-led Senate.
'Waiting for almost 30 years': Minnesota Liberians seeking residency are in limbo
The Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act has been hampered by a slow launch and burdensome procedures.
Tax increase on Minnesota's highest earners renews fair share debate
Business groups are pushing back.
Judge rules in favor of Minnesota unions in dues collection case
The ruling means nonunion members can't retroactively collect dues that were invalidated by a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court case.
Buffalo clinic shooting renews gun control push at Minnesota Capitol
Gun measures have not been a focus during a COVID-dominated legislative session.
Survivors, National Guard officials back bill to shift sex assault investigations to BCA
Legislation would create clearer path for cases involving Guard members.
![Collin Peterson tickled his granddaughter Astrid while her twin sister Ingrid got her hair brushed by her mom Michelle Thursday morning. ] ANTHONY SOU](https://chorus.stimg.co/22286764/ows_5c8f2b8b_a0e5_4843_9090_31104df540a2.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
A 'giant' in DFL politics, Collin Peterson reflects on 3 decades in Congress
He was a Blue Dog Coalition founding member, but work on agriculture will be his legacy.
Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips' video goes viral after apology to colleagues of color
The remarks came during a special hour organized to hear members' experiences during the Jan. 6 insurrection.
![Rep. Kelly Moller (DFL-Shoreview) listens during the meeting. ] LEILA NAVIDI ¥ leila.navidi@startribune.com BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Joint House S](https://chorus.stimg.co/22279988/ows_070af967_0d1a_4c04_9970_5ef21f5cbf52.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
New report urges Minn. lawmakers to adopt stronger sex assault laws
A yearlong working group found gaps in state law that make it harder to protect victims in certain cases.
Minnesota Democrats outspent GOP in battle for legislative control
Despite being outspent, Republicans held on to control of the Senate and made gains in the House.
Future of Minnesota Republicans starts with race for party chair
In the midst of an identity crisis for Minnesota Republicans, two candidates running to lead the party say they want to get back to the…
Walz budget raises taxes on wealthiest Minnesotans
His $52.4 billion plan would provide a tax credit for an estimated 300,000 working families and would cut taxes for about 1 million households across the state.
Minnesota officials grant state's first full pardon in more than 35 years
Maria Elizondo, a mother of seven and grandmother of 14, received a pardon for two past convictions.
Republicans shift to limit, not undo, governor's emergency powers
Gov. Walz wants lawmakers to enact some of his orders to end the emergency, the longest since WWII.
Minnesota Democrats, stuck at home, celebrate Biden's inauguration
From block parties to Biden sweatshirts to ice cream, Minnesota Democrats celebrate Inauguration Day.
Southern Minn. swing district has trepidation about future
In a place that flipped from Obama to Trump to Biden, people are uneasy about what's next.
McCollum says it was 'huge honor' to preside over impeachment debate
Emotions were running high on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday as members debated impeaching Donald Trump for a second time,…
Violent threats against Minn. leaders on rise
It's a trend that started long before last week's storming of the U.S. Capitol cheered on by a crowd in St. Paul.
Bars, restaurants and other venues reopen today in Minnesota with restrictions
Starting Monday, bars and restaurants can reopen for in-person dining at 50% capacity with a 10 p.m. curfew. Movie theaters, bowling alleys and museums can reopen at 25%.
Amy Klobuchar: Nation is at a 'major tipping point' after Capitol breach
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar said she is seeing fresh signs that the violent insurrection in Washington last week was a "tipping point" in a nation…
Republicans' law-and-order message tarnished by U.S. Capitol breach
In the aftermath of Wednesday's insurrection at the Capitol, Republicans may have relinquished their grasp on one of the most potent campaign messages in the…
Minnesota Republicans torn over what's next after Electoral College challenge
The vote came hours after rioters broke into the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday.
Minnesota's Republicans in Congress split on challenge
The vote came hours after rioters broke into the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday.
Minnesota's GOP congressional delegation divided on Electoral College challenge
The vote came hours after rioters broke into the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday.
Members of Minnesota delegation urge peace amid U.S. Capitol chaos
Several lawmakers tweeted Wednesday saying they are safe.
Pandemic front and center, Minnesota Legislature convenes 2021 session
Lawmakers aim to set the budget, respond to COVID, tackle education gaps and redistricting this year.
Chris Schmitter is Walz's 'chief problem solver' in era of big problems
Rochester native takes low-profile approach to high-profile job.
Rep. Barb Haley brings a 'management face' to GOP's COVID-19 response
Two-term Red Wing Republican emerging as face of House GOP effort to end COVID emergency powers.
Minnesota on edge of losing seat after 'chaotic' census count
The state is just 25,554 people short of holding on to all eight congressional seats, according to recent population estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau. Redistricting experts say the fraught population count is ripe for legal challenges.
More women will serve at the Minnesota Legislature than ever in 2021
When Minnesota legislators are sworn in on Jan. 5, 72 women will be among their ranks — the highest number in state history.It's a major…
Sen. Jerry Relph is first Minnesota lawmaker to die of COVID-19
The first-term GOP senator from St. Cloud received the diagnosis in mid-November after coming in contact with someone in the state Senate chamber who had tested positive.
For Phillips, COVID-19 relief talks in Washington have been a balancing act
The freshman Democrat has said he'll withhold his support for Pelosi without a relief package deal.
State will speed COVID relief, but restaurants must wait to reopen
A spokesman for Gov. Tim Walz said late Tuesday that bars and restaurants will remain closed for indoor service through the holidays. Walz is expected to sign the state COVID-19 relief package into law this week.
In second term, Omar focuses on pushing Biden on progressive agenda
President-elect Joe Biden was not U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar's first choice to lead her party, but she has a few requests for him now that…
![U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber in a September file photo. ] GLEN STUBBE • glen.stubbe@startribune.com](https://chorus.stimg.co/22163606/ows_eecca297_ae9d_4542_bb93_65db8d476d9d.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Millions in federal relief goes to Minnesota companies with ties to lawmakers
Lawmaker-linked Minnesota companies got nearly $18M in federal aid this year.
Gov. Tim Walz calls Legislature back for seventh special session
The session comes as COVID-19 cases surge in state, increasing pressure for relief package.
Measure will restore nearly 12,000 acres of Leech Lake land
The Leech Lake band, which says it owns the smallest percentage of its original reservation of any of Minnesota tribes, is about to see a historical wrong righted with a federal act that just awaits President Trump's signature.
Minnesota Legislature adds committees to respond to COVID-19
There will be 59 committees and subcommittees in the Minnesota Legislature when the 2021 session convenes in January, a slight uptick from the previous two…
Struggling Minnesota bars and restaurants want to sell cocktails to go
Limited beer, wine sales allowed with to-go orders of food, but cocktails still prohibited.
Native American voters across Minnesota turned out to oust Trump
Vote totals were up around Red Lake, and 90% for Biden.
Is Minnesota becoming land of 10,000 political divisions?
Legislators and large blocs of voters are struggling to find their place in an increasingly polarized political environment.
Minnesota's next budget forecast coming Dec. 3
Updated numbers will show Walz, legislators the size of the task ahead.
Gazelka says he could've handled COVID outbreak differently
Senate majority leader says he "personally will apply lessons from this episode to inform future decisions" while DFL leader says Republicans didn't take situation "seriously."
Legislators clash over COVID-19 reporting amid outbreak
Minnesota DFL legislators are demanding more transparency from Republican senators who held large indoor gatherings that may have contributed to a COVID-19 outbreak at the Capitol.
Democrats debate 'defund' movement's cost at polls
Republicans seized on "defund" and "abolish," a lifeline for the party at a time when Trump's approval ratings were dipping and the administration was losing the messaging battle on handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Divided Legislature could bring bipartisanship — or gridlock
For most of the past decade, Republicans and Democrats at the Minnesota State Capitol have clashed over budget deficits and haggled over taxes and spending.…
Marijuana candidates shake up Minnesota races
In two pivotal races for control of the Minnesota Senate, candidates running under the pro-marijuana banner pulled in thousands of votes despite largely invisible campaigns.…
U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn wins re-election in Minnesota's First District
He beat DFLer Dan Feehan in a rematch by more than 13,000 votes.
GOP Rep. Jim Hagedorn holds First District seat, beating back challenge from Dan Feehan
Jim Hagedorn was leading DFLer Dan Feehan, but the race had not been called yet by Wednesday morning.
