Recent content from Rochelle Olson

Derek Chauvin expected to survive after prison stabbing
The former Minneapolis police officer has been serving time in a medium-security prison in Arizona, where he was stabbed and wounded by another prisoner.

Highs and lows from the Minnesota Capitol during busy year
These moments stood out in the historic session under a DFL trifecta.

Rochester woman receives 10 days in prison, three months' home detention for Jan. 6 role
Victoria White will also serve two months on probation under a sentence from D.C. judge.

World-record busting ice maze planned for Minnesota Vikings' Eagan headquarters
New Minnesota Ice Festival hopes to obliterate the 2010 maze record set in Buffalo, N.Y.

Rep. Craig's attacker receives over two years in prison; defense sought one year
Prosecutors sought three-year sentence for man who assaulted the Minnesota congresswoman in February.

U.S. Rep. Angie Craig details trauma, fallout from physical attack at her D.C. home
The congresswoman's victim impact statement says her sense of safety and security has been "significantly impacted."

State nutrition program for 40,000 seniors lacks enough oversight, audit finds
Agency head says the state struggled to ensure compliance amid an influx of federal pandemic-related funding.

Lindell's troubled MyPillow goes with in-house counsel to defend Smartmatic case
Former Minnesota attorney general candidate Doug Wardlow will represent Lindell and the pillow manufacturer.

State court dismisses petition seeking to bar Trump from 2024 ballot
Minnesota Supreme Court ruled after hearing oral arguments last week; a general election challenge is still possible.
Supreme Court Chief Hudson asks if court should disqualify Trump — even if it can
Justices heard arguments on petition saying Constitution's insurrection clause bars Trump from 2024 ballot in Minnesota.

Minnesota Supreme Court to hear arguments on whether Trump is on 2024 ballot
Thursday hearing is expected to be one of many steps leading to a possible U.S. Supreme Court hearing.

Minnesota Vikings owners make progress on Eagan development surrounding team headquarters
Phase three of Viking Lakes adds apartments adjacent to basketball, pickleball and tennis courts.

U.S. Rep. Fischbach seeks GOP leadership role, cites Minnesota Senate experience
The former lieutenant governor seeks spot created by election of House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Should Trump be on ballot? Legal experts will debate at University of Minnesota.
Scholars will speak about the significant oral arguments coming next week to the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Gambling treatment is free for Minnesotans struggling with addiction
Granite Falls Vanguard at Project Turnabout is one of just a few residential centers in the nation.

Marine, former prosecutor Joe Teirab enters race against Rep. Angie Craig in 2024
Republican grew up in Windom, says he recently moved into the Second District.

Coney Barrett takes on court ethics, collegiality in U talk briefly marred by protesters
Protesters interrupted her minutes into the polite question-and-answer session with former Dean Robert Stein.

Minnesota Supreme Court: Trump campaign can't formally participate in ballot petition
But the court will allow the former president's campaign to make oral arguments to try to keep him on the ballot.

The buzz is back: Twins fans flock to Target Field for Game 3
Optimism reached the sunny skies before the Houston Astros scored four first-inning runs and won 9-1.

DFL Rep. Brion Curran charged with DWI
Vadnais Heights DFLer tested at the jail with 0.16% blood alcohol level, twice the legal limit.

Freshman DFL legislator arrested on suspicion of DWI
Brion Curran of Vadnais Heights has yet to be formally charged, remains in Chisago County Jail.

Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett coming to Northrop; protesters preparing
All tickets have been reserved for the free event; U plans tight security.

Cost to renovate governor's Summit Avenue residence soars to $13 million
Historic building's systems need more work than expected, construction costs have climbed.

Coming in 2024: New state license plates with a Vikings design
Skol brothers and sisters can purchase the plates for an extra $30 beginning in January. The official announcement is today.

Kirby and Tonya Puckett's children say their mom taught them resilience, faith and joy
Tonya Puckett-Miller died at the age of 58 after a 20-month battle with glioblastoma, leaving behind her kids and grandkids.

Minnesota GOP says barring Trump would 'butcher' Constitution
State Supreme Court will hear arguments Nov. 2 to decide whether the former Republican president should be on the 2024 ballot.

U.S. Bank Stadium's secure fencing phase two could cost more than expected
Populous will likely present design options in November for protecting Minnesota Vikings fans.

Minnesota Supreme Court to hear arguments Nov. 2 in Trump ballot challenge
Led by former Secretary of State Joan Growe, group questions whether U.S. Constitution allows Trump on the ballot.

Tonya Puckett-Miller dies after 20-month battle with glioblastoma
She was married to the late Minnesota Twins superstar Kirby Puckett during his playing days.

Wolves dump WCCO, indicate they'll use 'super non-traditional' partner
The station had been the flagship for Wolves broadcasts since 2011 and offered the team more money to stay in contract negotiations.

Bipartisan group files petition to block Trump from 2024 ballot in Minnesota
Former Secretary of State Joan Growe leads the coalition of voters saying Trump should be barred.

Minnesota Veterans Affairs commissioner stepping down
Larry Herke cited a diagnosis of ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Getting sports betting in Minnesota hinges on working out conflicts
A bill to bring sports gambling will need support at the Legislature from members of both political parties and, to get that, the state's American Indian tribes and race track officials need to feel like they will benefit.

St. Thomas professor: U.S. Constitution bars Trump from 2024 ballot
U.S. Supreme Court could be asked soon to decide issues raised by two conservative constitutional law professors.

Regional Planned Parenthood leader resigns from Minnesota Legislature
A state representative from Mendota Heights since 2019, Ruth Richardson quietly resigned her House seat Friday without further explanation.

Audit cites lack of oversight in Minnesota grant program for firefighter health
Public safety agency also faulted for partly forgiven $1 million cash-flow loan to nonprofit.

Justice Natalie Hudson will be first Black chief of Minnesota Supreme Court
Gov. Walz also named his former general counsel Karl Procaccini to the state's highest bench Wednesday.

University of Minnesota investigating a data breach
University officials said affected data is from 2021 and earlier, but didn't describe the scope.

Rep. Tom Emmer faces questions about Trump, budget in Big Lake
The Minnesota Republican plans a second in-person, open-door event Wednesday in Hamburg in Carver County.

DFL Rep. Dan Wolgamott charged with drunken driving
St. Cloud legislator has served as speaker pro tempore, a leadership post.

New Minnesota State Fair general manager feeling the weight of history, tradition
Renee Alexander says she's focused on building up the fair for future generations.

Minnesota Secretary of State's Office tests machines for new skinny ballots
Counties and cities can purchase the new assisted-voting devices if approved by the state.

What you need to know about Minnesota's new law expanding gun background checks
DFL changes to firearm laws passed last session go into effect Aug. 1.

Minnesota's first addiction and recovery leader: 'We don't demonize people'
Jeremy Drucker says curbing overdose fatalities will be a key marker of success.

Jordan Addison, Vikings No. 1 pick, stopped for driving Lamborghini 140 mph on I-94
Receiver Jordan Addison, the Vikings' first-round draft pick in April, was cited shortly after 3 a.m. Thursday on eastbound I-94 near the Dale Street exit in St. Paul, the State Patrol said.

Filing: Ex-Viking Cook offered ex-girlfriend $1M to absolve him of wrongdoing
A sealed court filing says Cook wanted the woman to drop assault accusations in exchange for cash, but she declined, according to a document filed in Dakota County.

Minnesota prosecutors can soon seek resentencing for prisoners
Ramsey County Attorney Choi says prosecutors should play a bigger role in rewarding rehabilitation.

Supreme Court Justice Kavanaugh talks collegiality, skirts controversies at Minnesota event
He said the court doesn't like to create chaos with its rulings; he declined to address ethics.

Target Field to upgrade secure perimeter around the ballpark
Minnesota Twins, ballpark authority will spend up to $3.2 million for new barriers.

Court: Walz's mask mandate was legal under emergency powers
Appeals Court ruling says governor acted within his authority in declaring emergency during COVID-19 pandemic.

With felon voting rights restored, Minnesota Secretary of State Simon encourages registration
Leaders are trying to put out the word about the new law allowing voting upon release from incarceration.
Father of Eagan boy, 13, struck and killed on bicycle denied legal claim in Dakota County
The state Court of Appeals rejected the lawsuit from the 2019 accident on Diffley Road.

Leigh Finke led expansion of Minnesota's transgender rights, endured attacks
Minnesota's first transgender legislator shepherded the effort at the statehouse to remove a line from the state's Human Rights Act, drawing claims from GOP the bill protected pedophiles.

State Board of Pardons decides Mitchell Hamline law student can seek parole after 18 more years
Maureen Onyelobi is the first woman in Minnesota to attend law school while in prison.

Minnesota Pardons Board grants first non-unanimous pardons in state history
One man pardoned committed robbery, forged a check more than 20 years ago. The Legislature approved the change in the pardons process earlier this year.

U.S. Bank Stadium paid off as of today, two decades early
But taxpayers still could be on the hook for the planned security fence around the stadium, and for ongoing maintenance.

Minnesota defendant in Jan. 6 case wants to serve as his own attorney
Brian Mock's trial will resume July 11 on charges he assaulted or impeded officers at the Capitol.

White House looks to Minnesota as a model for infrastructure, paid leave and climate policies
State DFL leaders told officials how they passed a sweeping progressive policy agenda and how they plan to implement it.

U.S. Bank Stadium's $15.7M security fence gets final approval
The Minnesota Vikings won't have the new fence for the 2023 season, but it will be ready by April 2024.

Three southern Minnesota men charged over role in Jan. 6 attack
A father and son and another relative from southern Minnesota have been arrested and each charged with a felony and two misdemeanors for their alleged roles in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie Gildea stepping down
Gildea has led the judiciary since Gov. Tim Pawlenty elevated her in 2010.

Are the 2024 Olympic gymnastics trials coming to Minneapolis?
Gov. Tim Walz has hinted that would happen and the group working to bring the event to Minnesota has scheduled a press conference for next week about a major event at Target Center.

This time they mean it: Hands-free is hands-free on Minnesota roads
Legislature closed loophole in law about using electronic devices while driving.

Senate leader Dziedzic: 'I just listened to what the doctor said and just focused'
DFLer worked from hospital and home as she faced surgery and chemotherapy.

Burnsville criminal defense attorney Tayler Rahm enters congressional contest
Political newcomer is running as a Republican in the south suburban Second District race in 2024.

Former Republican House Speaker Dave Jennings dies at 74
His wide-ranging career ended as Eastern Carver County's superintendent of schools.

Minnesota's felon voting rights law takes effect
The Restore the Vote coalition went door-knocking to spread the word on St. Paul's East Side.

Two juveniles arrested in connection with Robbinsdale shooting
The victim, who was shot just after 1 p.m. Monday, was listed in critical condition.

How did Minnesota Democrats unify to pass sweeping change?
From Social Security tax exemptions to gun restrictions, DFL leaders at the State Capitol held their caucuses together on divisive issues.

Minnesota Vikings' home to be paid off before 2023 season
U.S. Bank Stadium's outstanding $377 million debt will be retired by July under new law.

Gov. Tim Walz vetoes rideshare bill, his first veto in five sessions
Walz sets up a commission to explore Uber-Lyft driver pay and job security. It came hours after Uber announced plans to pull out of all Minnesota markets except the Twin Cities metro area, and only offer its premium products.

Walz, Democrats and advocates celebrate $72 billion budget
Republicans say the new budget will make it much more expensive to live in Minnesota.

Minnesota Republicans decry legislative session as partisan, seek to win back House
GOP legislative leaders and the chair of the Minnesota Republican Party blast Democrats for raising taxes amid surplus.

Legislature ends session by passing largest infrastructure package in state history
Lawmakers sent a $2.6 billion infrastructure package to Gov. Tim Walz's desk on the final day of session.

In new book, Keith Ellison goes behind the scenes of Derek Chauvin prosecution
Book focuses on the long-shot, historical nature of the case despite the horrific video.