Legislative funding bill clears first hurdle at conference committee

Minnesota legislators could vote Thursday to restore the House and Senate operating budgets, after Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed them in May. A conference committee approved a bill Wednesday night that would designate more than $64 million for both the House and Senate, allowing them to keep functioning for two years. The funding would be retroactive to July 1. Both chambers need to vote on the measure, and Dayton must sign off on it.

Democrats eye state Senate control, House upset in Minnesota

Minnesota voters were choosing successors Monday for two legislators who resigned amid sexual harassment allegations, as Democrats sought to remain in striking distance of taking back the state Senate and add a solidly Republican state House seat to their list of upsets leading up to the midterms. The rare Monday special elections were triggered by the resignations of GOP Rep. Tony Cornish and Democratic Sen. Dan Schoen late last year after they were accused by several women of sexual harassment.

Special election in Minnesota may test anti-Trump winds, affect Senate control

Today's special election for a Cottage Grove-area state Senate district will provide the latest barometer for how Democrats can capitalize on a midterm swoon for Republicans nationwide and cue up a fight for control over a closely divided Senate. But the Democratic and Republican candidates are doing their best to tune out the high stakes surrounding the unusual Monday special election, instead focusing on their legislative credentials from previous stints at the Capitol.

Election may test anti-Trump winds, affect Senate control

Monday's special election for a Cottage Grove-area state Senate district will provide the latest barometer for how Democrats can capitalize on a midterm swoon for Republicans nationwide and cue up a fight for control over a closely divided Senate. But the Democratic and Republican candidates are doing their best to tune out the high stakes surrounding the unusual Monday special election, instead focusing on their legislative credentials from previous stints at the Capitol.

Dayton has had solid achievements, but inaction on two major challenges leaves future risks

It remains to be seen whether Gov. Mark Dayton's policy agenda can withstand the test of new demographic, competitive and political realities. Love or hate his policies, Gov. Mark Dayton has always communicated an authenticity about doing what's best for Minnesota and has been a counterweight to the mass of cynicism political candidates today often express toward government.

Precinct caucuses start the sorting of candidates to become Minnesota governor

With Gov. Mark Dayton not seeking re-election this year, a wide-open race to succeed him will take center stage as precinct caucuses mark the official start of the campaign season across Minnesota on Tuesday night, Feb. 6. Both the Democratic-Farmer-Labor and Republican parties will conduct non-binding straw polls for governor that will test the early grassroots support for announced candidates. Caucus-goers also will start the processes for endorsing each party's candidates for two U.S. Senate seats, eight congressional seats, 134 seats in the Minnesota House of Representatives, plus state auditor, secretary of state and attorney general.

Minnesota couple raises awareness for unborn child’s defect

Jordan See and Austin Benz - garbed in matching shirts depicting a sweet little cow with a Band-Aid on her tummy and pink bow on her head - chat on a recent day about an uncommon condition of which they are becoming experts: Omphalocele. When the young couple, expecting their first child, initially heard the term, "I could barely pronounce it," said See, now 28 weeks pregnant, at their Mountain Iron apartment.

GOP – Sfundraising lagging

Democratic candidates for Minnesota governor are crushing their Republican opponents in the fundraising race, a signal GOP donors may be waiting to see whether former Gov. Tim Pawlenty decides to seek his old job. According to fundraising reports released Thursday, top Democratic candidates ended 2017 with a hefty cash advantage compared to lackluster totals across the GOP field.

Trump administration cancels detailed review of Obama-era mining ban near Minnesota wilderness

The Trump administration on Friday curtailed a detailed review of how cordoning off more than 234,000 acres of U.S. Forest Service land in Minnesota from mining development would affect a neighboring wilderness area. The decision to convert the study launched in the final days of the Obama administration into a less-stringent environmental assessment could have major policy implications.

Dayton, Smith criticize ‘savages,’ Trump during MLK Day event

Students from the David Billingsley School of Music and Arts perform on the drums during the 32nd annual State of Minnesota Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul on Monday, Jan. 15, 2018. Mahmoud El-Kati, Professor Emeritus of History at Macalester College, gives Dr. Josie Johnson a kiss on the cheek after the pair were awarded 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award during the 32nd annual State of Minnesota Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul on Monday, Jan. 15, 2018.