Man who tried to wed laptop pushes anti-porn bill across US

William Strampel, a high-ranking Michigan State University official, h... A Michigan State University official who oversaw Larry Nassar is facing criminal charges amid an investigation into the handling of complaints against the former sports doctor. A Michigan State University official who oversaw Larry Nassar is facing criminal charges amid an investigation into the handling of complaints against the former sports doctor.

‘Eggs & Issues’ legislative forum over, easy

Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce President Matt Kilian , Rep. John Poston, Sen. Paul Gazelka, Rep. Josh Heintzeman, Rep. Dale Lueck and Sen. Carrie Ruud wait to be introduced at the annual Eggs & Issues Minnesota Legislative Forum featuring Brainerd lakes area legislators at a panel discussion at Madden's on Gull Lake on Friday, March 23. Frank Lee / Brainerd Dispatch In lieu of a magic crystal ball, Brainerd lakes area businesses hoped to get a glimpse into the future by asking area legislators to be prognosticators at an event at Madden's on Gull Lake.

Pawlenty Files With Campaign Finance Board: ‘Final Announcement Soon’

Tim Pawlenty said in a statement that he filed a campaign committee Monday with the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board, and will make a final announcement on his candidacy "soon." Speculation swirled for weeks about Pawlenty's possible entry into the already crowded race, and with Monday's filing, it seems more likely than ever.

3 rural Illinois men charged with Minnesota mosque bombing

Federal authorities on Tuesday charged three men from rural central Illinois with the bombing of a Minnesota mosque last year and said one of the suspects told an investigator the goal of the attack was to "scare" Muslims out of the United States. A statement from the U.S. attorney's office in Springfield, Illinois, says the men also are suspected in the attempted bombing of an abortion clinic in November.

Dayton, lawmakers propose overhaul of senior care oversight

Gov. Mark Dayton and a bipartisan group of lawmakers proposed major changes to the state's oversight of Minnesota's elder care facilities on Tuesday, aiming to reverse years of pervasive abuse and neglect of Minnesota's seniors that was only recently revealed. Addressing widespread abuse of seniors - and the state's lax oversight - were a top priority for officials heading into 2018, following reporting by the Star Tribune last year that exposed maltreatment and the state's struggles to keep up with complaints.

Lawmakers rethink selection process for University of Minnesota Board of Regents

State legislators are debating proposals to change how members of the University of Minnesota's governing body are picked, a system critics say has sometimes favored the politically connected over the most qualified. The process has drawn fresh attention after the surprise resignation of Regent Patricia Simmons on Wednesday.

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.