‘Faithless elector’ challenges Minnesota law

To whom does an elector owe a duty of faithfulness? To his political party, to whom he pledged to vote for its presidential candidate, or to his conscience, which requires him not to? And when the elector votes against his oath, what role, if any, should the state play? Muhammad Abdurrahman, the "faithless elector," wants to protest a Minnesota law that requires members of the Electoral College to follow the statewide vote. So the DFL elector disregarded a pledge he made to vote for the Hillary Clinton/Timothy Kaine ticket and cast his vote for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders for president and U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, for vice president.

Human Rights Department toils with just half of staff it had at peak

The Minnesota Department of Human Rights, a 50-year-old state agency charged with investigating claims of illegal discrimination, has seen its staff shrink by almost half from its historic peak in 1990. The steady drop in full-time enforcement officers and other staff comes amid a growing workload in recent years and heightened racial tensions in Minnesota over the past year.

Gov. Dayton seeking citizens to help set legislators’ pay

On Election Day, 76 percent of voters supported a constitutional amendment that will remove legislators' ability to set their own pay and create a new citizen panel to sort out the salaries. DFL Gov. Mark Dayton said this week that he's taking applications for the group, which will be known as the Legislative Salary Council.

5 states struggle with surging numbers of foster children

The number of U.S. children in foster care is climbing after a sustained decline, but just five states account for nearly two-thirds of the recent increase. Reasons range from creation of a new child-abuse hotline to widespread outrage over the deaths of children who'd been repeatedly abused.

No federal charges for motorist with anti-Clinton message

The U.S. Secret Service says a Minnesota motorist won't face federal charges for having a violent message aimed at Hillary Clinton written on the back of a minivan. Lou Stephens , special agent in charge of the Secret Service Minneapolis Division , tells the Star Tribune the agency has completed its investigation and found no evidence the 47-year-old Zimmerman man intended to carry out an assault attempt.

The Latest: Trump says no refugees without local approval

In this July 7, 2016 file photo, FBI Director James Comey testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington before the House Oversight Committee to explain his agency's recommendation to not prosecute Hillary Clinton. In a letter from Comey released on Nov. 6, he tells Congress review of additional Clinton emails does not change conclusion she should not face charges.

SCSU survey: Minnesotans favor Clinton

SCSU survey: Minnesotans favor Clinton Survey finds gulf between Trump, Clinton supporters over immigration, direction of country Check out this story on sctimes.com: A statewide survey conducted by St. Cloud State University found Minnesotans favor Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump for president by a considerable margin, with women voters heavily weighted toward Clinton. Clinton led Trump 46 percent to 35 percent in the scientific telephone survey of a random sample of 431 Minnesotans conducted Oct. 19-30.

President Obama remains in denial about ObamaCare’s implosion

In his ObamaCare valedictory last week, President Obama championed the law's successes: twenty million Americans have free or subsidized insurance; sick people cannot be denied coverage; thrifty policies with spending limits are gone. His timing was impeccable, as three days later the government announced that premiums increased nationwide by an average of 25% as insurers flee the exchanges.

Agency gives $80M boost to affordable housing

The renovation of Como by the Lake at 901 Como Blvd E. in St. Paul is one of the 57 projects to receive funding this year from the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency on Wednesday announced $79.9 million in new loans, tax credits and grants to build and preserve affordable housing across the state.

Following Dayton’s Critique Of Obamacare, Lawmakers Mull Fixes

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Hot dish politics: State wants to reclaim top spot in voter turnout

Simon, the state's top elections official, has been barnstorming the state in recent months, promoting his voting effort so that Minnesota can reclaim its top spot nationally for civic engagement. For nearly 10 elections in a row, Minnesota had bragging rights, ranking first among all states for its voter turnout rate.

Minnesota agency denies permit for Red River diversion plan

Supporters of a Red River diversion channel around the Fargo and Moorhead area said they are determined to start on the $2.1 billion flood-control project even though the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced Monday it would not approve a permit considered to be the final hurdle for construction. Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney said he's surprised by the state's decision to turn down a dam to hold back water during serious flooding but believes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has the authority to move forward.

Cheers and jeers: Americans tune into Trump-Clinton debate

From senior centers to college campuses and bars featuring campaign-themed cocktails, Americans laughed, cheered and jeered through the first debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Viewers tuned in Monday on their TVs, cellphones and radios to watch and listen to the showdown between the two major presidential candidates.