Walker Orenstein reports on the state Legislature for MinnPost, with a particular focus on covering issues affecting Greater Minnesota. He can be reached at worenstein@minnpost.com, and you can follow him on Twitter at @walkerorenstein.
Ramsey County Attorney John Choi and Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman say the concerns with some of their policies and decisions are overblown, misunderstood, or have more police support than Republicans are letting on — even as they concede there might be some cause for common ground among county attorneys, cops and the GOP.
The ruling wasn’t a total victory for mine opponents, however. The court ruled in favor of PolyMet and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency on several other issues.
The panel also recommended the state raise application fees for Minnesota driver’s licenses and extend the validity of licenses to eight years.
Talon Metals Corp. wants to build an underground mine that would operate for nine years and primarily extract nickel, but also some copper, cobalt, platinum group metals and iron.
Lawmakers in both parties often argue public safety should not be politicized, yet crime is also expected to be a potent campaign issue later this year, a situation that could fuel a rancorous and partisan debate at the Capitol.
As one of the few DFLers representing a deep red area of Greater Minnesota, Marquart’s departure could play a role in who controls the House next year.
The most recent seven-day case positivity average — or the average share of positive cases out of total COVID-19 tests — is 19.1 percent, up from 12 percent the week prior.
The Austin police department was researching the technology before an officer fatally shot Kokou Christopher Fiafonou in December.
What to know about where the $1 billion proposal stands today — and what’s in store for PolyMet in the coming year.
From pipelines to wildfire, a (non-exhaustive) list of the most memorable developments in Greater Minnesota this year.
A Q&A with the New Hope DFLer about his decision not to run for county attorney, his plans for public safety legislation in 2022 — and whether he thinks Hennepin County Sheriff Dave Hutchinson should step down.
Alexandria is seen as a leader in coordinating efforts among law enforcement and mental health professionals. But the city’s experience also illustrates the complexity of responding to mental health crises in Greater Minnesota.
The most recent seven-day case positivity average — or the average share of positive cases out of total COVID-19 tests — is 10.6 percent, down from 11.5 percent the week prior.
The latest data show Minnesota actually has fewer households with high-speed internet than previously thought — and has not yet met a 2022 goal for offering universal access to broadband with modest speeds.
Among other things: a new survey of long-term care providers found roughly 76 percent are limiting admission to their facilities.
My coworkers and I will be busy.
One thing it won’t do: rid the state of all lead service lines, a stated goal of President Joe Biden.
Minnesota requires public officials to disclose source of income, property owned, significant holding in stocks and bonds and, yes, any horse racing interests.
Walz also downplayed the possibility for a special session, even after Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller said Republicans may back down from a threat to fire Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm.
In Roseau, in northwestern Minnesota, the problem is so acute that the city has taken drastic measures, building a $6.8 million apartment complex that is funded almost entirely with public money.
