Recent content from Rochelle Olson
Justice Sarah Hennesy formally sworn in as the newest member of the Minnesota Supreme Court
The former Stearns County district judge is Gov. Tim Walz's third appointee to the high court, with another coming next week.
Minnesota delegates, voters shift concerns about Israel, Gaza from Joe Biden to Kamala Harris
Minnesota delegates to the upcoming Democratic National Convention say they are hoping to hear Harris call for a cease-fire and aid embargo on Israel.
Minn. Supreme Court upholds conviction of shooter in 2021 road rage death
The Jamal Smith ruling also props open the door to future consideration of jury diversity concerns.
Trump, Vance will make first joint Minnesota appearance Saturday night in St. Cloud
Former president, Ohio senator plan evening rally at hockey arena.
Regan Smith's rivalry with Australian swimming star peaks at Paris Olympics
Lakeville's Regan Smith and Australia's Kaylee McKeown have dominated the backstroke events in swimming in recent years. Who will come out on top during the Paris Games?
Purple reign: Being a legislator in a swing district means frequent voter contact
First-term Sen. Heather Gustafson says she door-knocks nonstop in her northeast suburban district.
Hot Dish 7.12.24
Plus: Legislative Auditor calls out Walz administration's "shoot-the-messenger" approach to fraud concerns.
Hot Dish 7.12.24
Legislative Auditor calls out Walz administration's "shoot-the-messenger" approach to fraud concerns
She wrote about Taylor Swift and Don Lemon. Her 'Long Island Compromise' could be the book of summer
FICTION: A New York family endures more than its share of trials in Taffy Brodesser-Akner's satiric successor to "Fleishman Is in Trouble."
Sen. Nicole Mitchell's court hearing pushed back as she challenges arrest on burglary charge
Her defense attorneys seek medical records from Mitchell's stepmother.
Hot Dish 6.28.24
Reviews: Disappointing, devasting, historically bad debate performance
Becker County judge denies request to release footage of Sen. Mitchell's arrest
Conservative website Alpha News asked for early release of police bodycam video of her April arrest.
Minnesota horse track owners upset about appointment of tribal leaders to Racing Commission
Walz says Melanie Benjamin and Johnny Johnson are professionals who can handle the work.
Minnesota Gov. Walz says flood response will be swift
The governor spoke from the state's emergency management operations center amid historic flooding with more rain on the way this week.
Hot Dish 6.21.24
Walz heads north to survey the rising waters
Former Minnesota corrections employee says he was fired after exposing punishment scheme
Whistleblower lawsuit alleges retaliation because he stood up for inmate rehabilitation over profits.
Bipartisan group takes credit for spiking sports betting in 2024 Minnesota Legislature
State senators say they were prepared to filibuster on final night to stop the bill, and will come back stronger next year.
Hot Dish 6.14.24
Trump trashes Milwaukee ahead of GOP Convention?
Sen. Mitchell's lawyer: Felony burglary charge won't be resolved for months
Minnesota Senate ethics panel set new hearing for July 25
Publisher Steve Grove maintained occasional contact with Walz chief of staff, former colleague
Ethics professor says texts are problematic for the Star Tribune CEO.
Federal Elections complaint alleges Royce White isn't reporting spending in Minnesota Senate race
The GOP-endorsed candidate seeks to unseat DFL U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar.
Hot Dish 06.07.24
Les Croix Blanches, L'Heure Bleue and a French Foray
Minnesota State Fair employee's case led to new law expanding definition of disability
The Human Rights Act now covers intermittent health issues such as cancer in remission, diabetes and epilepsy
Moriarty says Walz criticized her because she's 'queer.' His supporters call attack 'shameful.'
Her comments came amid the decision to drop charges against Trooper Londregan.
Walz planned to remove Moriarty from state trooper murder prosecution
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said rumors over pulling her from the case didn't factor into her decision to drop murder charges.
Minnesota Gov. Walz, St. Paul Mayor Carter, legislators and police highlight new gun safety laws
A ceremonial signing occurred at St. Paul police headquarters.
Hot Dish 5.31.24
Board of Pardons wraps up two days of work, Sen. Mitchell won't resign
Walz joins DFL chair's call for Sen. Nicole Mitchell to resign
Gov. Tim Walz joined state DFL Chair Ken Martin in calling for the resignation of the Woodbury DFLer, who's charged in a burglary at her stepmother's home.
State board pardons St. Paul firefighter in 2004 fatal shooting of teenager
The victim's parents urged clemency for Tim Morin.
Hot Dish 05.24.24
Walz signs medical services bill, calls out National Guard to find missing canoeists
Sen. Klobuchar still pushing Fans First bill as Live Nation faces federal antitrust suit
The Minnesota Democrat said music and sports fans should start seeing changes quickly as a result of the blockbuster lawsuit.
What passed — and didn't — at the 2024 Minnesota Legislature
From cannabis to sports betting, what happened with the major bills at the State Capitol in 2024.
Woman arrested in parked van alleges Chauvin threw her to the ground, broke her tooth
Police brutality lawyers at Robins Kaplan filed the federal civil rights claim seeking damages from the city of Minneapolis and the former Minneapolis police officer who murdered George Floyd.
Alpha News lawyer says public needs a better picture of what happened with senator's arrest
DFL Sen. Nicole Mitchell of Woodbury faces a first-degree burglary charge.
Minnesota Legislature's 2024 session ends in anger and acrimony
Republicans complained of being shut out of negotiations and shouting matches erupted on the floors as Democrats passed their final bills.
Minnesota Legislature races toward deadline with bonding, rideshare bills in question
Legislators cannot pass bills after midnight on Sunday, giving them just hours to try to strike a deal on outstanding issues.
Donald Trump talks inflation, Iron Dome, Biden and bacon at Minn. GOP dinner
Speaking to donors, leaders and activists, the former president repeatedly ripped Joe Biden and promised to fight to turn Minnesota red for the first time since 1972.
Hot Dish 5.17.24
Legislators will be pushing toward Sunday's midnight deadline
Walz signs bill clarifying constitutional protections for religious entities under Human Rights Act
Republicans, religious groups raised concerns about gender identity and sexual orientation.
Sen. Latz's opposition to landlord housing voucher requirement makes him target of fellow DFLer
Rep. Mike Howard criticized Sen. Ron Latz by name in a conference committee moment this week.
Running Aces amends lawsuit, now claims tribal casinos violate federal law with illegal video games
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux say the lawsuit is a desperate stunt to influence legislators in the final days of the 2024 session.
Ellison sues real estate broker, claims he preyed on Muslims and buyers with poor credit
The lawsuit alleges that Chadwick Banken used deceptive trade practices and discriminated against Muslims.
Minnesota Supreme Court: Pandemic emergency declaration OK under state law
Gov. Walz used the Emergency Management Act to declare a peacetime emergency and issue a mask mandate.
Hot Dish 5.10.24
House Minority Leader Demuth: This isn't a Legislature of 104 members.
Kaleena Burkes is head of Minnesota's new Office of Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls
The Alabama native wants to help the underrepresented and disenfranchised after years on the state's Guardian ad Litem Board.
Minnesota Senate passes new penalties for gun straw buyers, bans binary triggers
Hermantown DFL Sen. Grant Hauschild voted for it while saying he won't support a safe-storage bill.
Ethics panel: Senator who sent graphic video link needs instruction on appropriate emails
DFL Sen. Erin Maye Quade filed the complaint last year against the Glencoe Republican because of an email he sent linking to a graphic gender surgery video.
GOP senators grill Sen. Nicole Mitchell's attorneys during ethics hearing about her burglary charge
The Woodbury DFLer didn't answer questions before the bipartisan subcommittee, but her attorney accused GOP senators of a "witch hunt." Democrats said Mitchell deserves due process.
Ethics panel takes up complaint against Republican senator who sent graphic video link
Sen. Erin Maye Quade said Sen. Glenn Gruenhagen's email linking to genital surgery violated Senate ethical norms.
Hot Dish 5.3.24
Two gun safety bills pass the House late on mostly party-line votes
Walz appoints Supreme Court finalist to Court of Appeals
The Minnesota law professor clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
Gun safety bills may hinge on one senator's fate despite House support, likely passage
Bills before the Minnesota House would require safe storage and crack down on straw purchases The House passed legislation Monday creating a duty to report missing guns to law enforcement within 48 hours.
Hot Dish 4.26.24
Legislature completes jarring week jolted by arrest and charge against Mitchell
U.S. Bank Stadium gets new executive director
Ed Kroics has worked at the stadium for operator ASM since 2016
DFL state senator charged with first-degree burglary at stepmother's home
Sen. Nicole Mitchell's arrest could cause political complications for Democrats, who control the Minnesota Senate by a one-seat margin.
![Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) watched during training camp Wednesday. ] ANTHONY SOUFFLE • anthony.souffle@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/ZHKH7NZVBNL2RFYGUCXADSN6IA.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Former Viking Dalvin Cook, ex-girlfriend settle lawsuit for unspecified amount
Dakota County case was set to begin trial in June.
Hot Dish 4.23.24
Details coming today on arrest of Woodbury DFL senator on in Becker County burglary
Two new female Minnesota Supreme Court justices come with strong public defense backgrounds
Gov. Tim Walz elevates Court of Appeals Judge Theodora Gaïtas and Stearns County Judge Sarah Hennesy.
Hot Dish 4.19.24
First Lady Jill Biden speaks to teachers union tonight in Bloomington
Andover High School teacher leads effort for more understandable driver's tests
Amna Kiran took notice and pushed to change Minnesota law after a student failed multiple times in 2019.
Running Aces files racketeering lawsuit against Minnesota tribal casinos
The horse-racing track's lawsuit comes as the Minnesota Legislature considers legalized sports betting in partnership with tribes.
![Mike Lindell, CEO of MyPillow, is photographed in Newport Beach, Calif., on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021. ]](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/4T6FYIZ4XHCA4WHSTZXTCIJE3I.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Supreme Court says no to Lindell's request for hearing on cellphone confiscation
The MyPillow founder's phone was seized in a Hardee's drive-thru.
Hot Dish 4.12.24
Walz wings it to New Hampshire for speech
Ban on historical horse racing advances swiftly after Racing Commission tried to legalize casino games
Horse industry supporters showed up at the Capitol with a live horse to plead for subsidies.
Ellison, Smith say 150-year-old act could be used to ban medicinal abortions
The Minnesota Democrats hit the alarm on the core election issue this year.
Hot Dish 4.5.24
Middle innings at the Capitol
New sports betting bill would bar bets on college games, push notifications, in-game action
Sen. John Marty says he proposed the safeguards because his main bill hasn't gained traction.
Judge dismisses Scott Jensen's First Amendment lawsuit against the state Board of Medical Practice
The physician and former Republican gubernatorial candidate claimed he was targeted by the board for his political views.
Sports betting sponsors say Racing Commission move on historical horse racing is illegal
Rep. Zack Stephenson says the decision will backfire on the tracks and complicate work on mobile betting bills.
Hot Dish 4.2.24
Snow in April, just like Prince penned
Governor announces six finalists for two Minnesota Supreme Court seats
By midsummer, Walz is replacing retiring justices G. Barry Anderson and Margaret Chutich.
Minnesota Voters Alliance says new law improperly restored voting rights to felons
State Supreme Court conducts expedited oral arguments on the legal challenge. Voting in the state primary begins in June with about 57,000 felons newly eligible to vote.
Hot Dish 3.29.24
Walz is headed to New Hampshire, let's speculate.
Gov. Walz reflects on historic legislative session, urges more gun safety measures
His State of the State address also included a pitch for a $989 million bonding bill, a package of construction projects focusing on affordable housing, water infrastructure projects and repairing buildings on college campuses.
Hot Dish 3.26.24
Walz will be at the new Owatonna High School Tuesday night.
