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Park Board readies new eviction order in Powderhorn Park; some residents say they aren’t leaving
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is considering a resolution Wednesday that would shut down the two tent cities that have arisen in Powderhorn Park in recent weeks. But David “Rico” Santana, who lives in the encampment on the east side of the park, warned authorities to think long and hard about it. If the […]
Walz considering calling lawmakers back to consider police reforms
Gov. Tim Walz is considering calling another special legislative session on July 10. Walz said he has been talking with lawmakers about a potential special session to focus on potential police reforms and other unfinished work. “All of us understand Minnesota is still the focal point of the need to have trust in our police […]
Walz considering a statewide mask mandate
Gov. Tim Walz said today he’s considering a statewide mandate that people wear masks in public to combat COVID-19. He said Republican governors are also exploring the idea. “All these things are difficult decisions to make,” he said. “The best thing we can do is keep social distance, wear the mask, and if you’re sick, […]
Due to legislative gridlock, more than $1 billion in construction projects left on the table
Lawmakers left St. Paul with some big-ticket items still in limbo, including a big public works bill that has become an even-year tradition of the Capitol. Known around the Capitol as a “bonding bill,” it allows the Legislature to borrow more than $1 billion for construction and maintenance projects around the state, spending borrowed money […]
City Council moves charter amendment to eliminate current Police Department; voters could act on it in November
The Minneapolis City Council began the process Friday of allowing voters to scrap the city’s police department and create a new public safety agency. The move comes after a month of protests following the police killing of George Floyd. The council’s vote on an amendment to the city charter is the first step to getting […]
Walz administration to distribute $853 million in COVID aid to counties, cities, townships, food shelves
Gov. Tim Walz announced a plan Thursday to dole out $853 million in federal COVID-19 relief money to communities after the money was held up for weeks in stalled negotiations with the Legislature. The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or CARES, funding became a political football during the regular session as lawmakers […]
Senate Republicans tangle with People of Color Indigenous Caucus over crime, police reform
Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka called for hearings on the riots, looting and arsons that broke out after the police killing of George Floyd, but not the killing itself. He drew criticism from the Legislature’s People of Color and Indigenous Caucus — known as POCI — whose members said his priorities are off. Gazelka questioned […]
Mining agency relents, gives grant to Fond du Lac for clean water
A state mining board commissioner today approved a $250,000 grant to the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa to provide clean drinking water, after the mining board tabled the grant, citing the band’s opposition to copper-nickel mining in sensitive watersheds. The Reformer reported Wednesday on the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board’s June 10 discussion […]
Resident calls for Falcon Heights council member to resign over front yard gardens
The fight over a Falcon Heights vegetable garden continues. A month ago, Quentin Nguyen had resigned himself to living with a Falcon Heights ordinance that seemed designed to stop him — and just him — from planting a big vegetable garden in his front yard. But now, he’s calling on a Falcon Heights City Council member to […]
Minneapolis City Council to take up change to city charter eliminating Police Department
The Minneapolis City Council plans to vote Friday on moving forward with an amendment to the city charter that would replace the Police Department with a new public safety entity. It’s the first step to getting it on the ballot in November, when Minneapolis voters could decide the fate of the department. Under the proposed […]
Hennepin County Board takes up racism as a public health crisis
A panel of the Hennepin County Board voted Tuesday to declare racism a public health crisis, despite the objections of two commissioners who wanted more time to examine it. About a dozen other county boards nationwide have passed similar resolutions in the wake of George Floyd’s death at the hands of the Minneapolis police. Hennepin […]
Hennepin County Board starts spending federal money; libraries reopening
Commissioners on the Hennepin County Board voted to spend some funds from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, part of which it has already devoted to emergency housing relief and small business assistance. The board voted to spend: $2 million to feed the hungry. Any of the roughly 150 […]