Dayton makes case for K-12 funding

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton shows a photo of his dog to students in Denise Ducharme's first-grade class while visiting Ben Franklin Elementary School Wednesday, May 9, 2018, in Rochester. Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton responds to questions from first-graders from Denise Ducharme's first-grade class while visiting Ben Franklin Elementary School Wednesday, May 9, 2018, in Rochester.

With tax pieces in play, it’s Capitol deal-making season

In this Nov. 10, 2016 file photo, Minnesota State Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, center, is joined by Senate Republicans at the State Capitol in St. Paul, Minn. Republican lawmakers who control the Legislature and Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton have put forward markedly different plans to square Minnesota's tax code with the federal government.

Interior Department reinstates mineral leases incorrectly denied in 2016

The reinstated mineral leases will provide an economic stimulus to the region as early as this summer, said Frank Ongaro, executive director of Mining Minnesota, left. U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer, right, went to bat for Northeastern Minnesota, authoring the Miner Act to demonstrate Congress would not put up with the Obama administration's interference with mineral exploration leases.

Painter enters race for Senate

A former Republican White House lawyer in President George W. Bush's administration and a prominent critic of President Donald Trump announced Monday that he will run as a Democrat for Al Franken's Minnesota Senate seat. Richard Painter said he plans to challenge Sen. Tina Smith, who was appointed to Franken's seat after his January resignation, in a Democratic primary in August.

Sandman champions the ‘disenfranchised’ with 3rd-party District 8 bid

Ray "Skip" Sandman, the Independence Party of Minnesota candidate for District 8, was not shy with his criticism for his opponents in both the DFL and GOP. Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch As is often the case, U.S. representatives have to think more in the short term than other positions in national government on account of their two-year terms-an election cycle leading to constant campaigning and fundraising and a focus on pertinent, immediate legislation.

Minnesota House approves school safety funding package

A school safety funding package that would give Minnesota schools more money for building safety improvements, hiring counselors and school resource officers, and other expenses won the approval of state lawmakers Thursday. The school safety budget plans approved by the Republican-majority House largely mirrors a $21 million proposal offered by DFL Gov. Mark Dayton earlier this year.

Audit finds Minnesota preschool programs – complex and fragmented’

Minnesota does a lot to prepare children for elementary school, but its often tough for families to find the right program, leaving some children without the head start they need to succeed. Those are the findings of an analysis of Minnesota's early learning programs released Thursday by the state Legislative Auditor, a government watchdog.

Soil and Water Stewardship Week is April 29-May 6

St. PAUL-In the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Minnesotans have a great love for their lakes, rivers, streams and the great outdoors. For over 70 years, Minnesota's soil and water conservation districts have been hard at work protecting the state's critical soil and water resources by working with landowners on programs and practices that support conservation, healthy working lands and clean water.

Judge asked to reject pipeline protester’s evidence request

The government is asking a federal judge to reject a request for evidence to be returned to a New York City woman who suffered a serious arm injury in an explosion while protesting the Dakota Access oil pipeline in North Dakota. Prosecutors contend authorities properly obtained the shrapnel and clothing from Sophia Wilansky while she was hospitalized in Minnesota following her November 2016 injury.

Sun Country now says it will reimburse some costs for stranded Mexico fliers

Sun Country Airlines now says it plans to reimburse passengers left stranded in Mexico after the carrier canceled its last flights of the season following a late-season blizzard in Minnesota. Instead of extending its schedule or sending charters to bring home about 250 passengers from the Mexican resort cities of Cabo San Lucas and Mazatln, Sun Country opted instead to refund fliers' fares and then told them they were on their own to find a new way home.

Former Minnesota FBI agent cites racism in explaining leak

A black former Minnesota FBI counterterrorism agent pleaded guilty Tuesday to leaking classified documents to a reporter, saying in a statement that he knew it was illegal but felt he had to act against a culture in the bureau that often treats minority communities with suspicion and disrespect. Terry J. Albury, 39, appeared in federal court in St. Paul on one count of unauthorized disclosure of national defense information and one count of unauthorized retention of national defense information.

Minnesota’s two largest export markets push for NAFTA renewal

Minnesota's two largest export markets are touting the benefits of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which may be headed for a renewal in Washington as early as next month. Canadian Consul General Paul Connors and Mexican Consul Gerardo Guerrero, who spoke Tuesday at a Minnesota Chamber of Commerce breakfast, have been on the road pitching the value of NAFTA to Minnesota factories, farmers and workers.

VP Pence visit aims to fire up Minnesota Republicans

Gallery: Vice President Mike Pence shook hands with one of the guests who had been waiting to greet him at the Minnesota National Guard - 934th Airlift Wing Tuesday afternoon. Gallery: Vice President Mike Pence waved to the crowd of guests waiting to greet him at the Minnesota National Guard - 934th Airlift Wing Tuesday afternoon.