Minnesota state government
FILE - In this July 23, 2020, file photo, Gov. Tim Walz signed into law a sweeping package of police accountability measures in St. Paul, Minn., making Minnesota the latest state to adopt changes to law enforcement, including a ban on neck restraints, in the wake of George Floyd's death. The bill, passed by the Legislature earlier this week, also bans chokeholds and fear-based or "warrior-style" training, which critics say promotes excessive force. (Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via AP, File)
Walz says he'll give up COVID-19 emergency powers by Aug. 1

Jun. 26, 2021 12:01 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 14, 2020, file photo, housing activists erect a sign in Swampscott, Mass. A federal freeze on most evictions is set to expire soon. The moratorium, put in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in September, was the only tool keeping millions of tenants in their homes. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)
EXPLAINER: Is Minnesota doing enough to limit evictions?

By Steve Karnowski Jun. 25, 2021 12:22 PM EDT

FILE - In this April 15, 2021, file image from video, defense attorney Eric Nelson, left, and defendant, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, address Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis, Minn. Nelson is asking that the judge sentence Chauvin, convicted of murder in the death of George Floyd, to probation and time already served,  probationary sentence, limiting his incarceration to time served, or in the alternative, a downward durational departure in crafting its sentence for Mr. Chauvin. (Court TV via AP, Pool File)
Minnesota weighs more cameras in courts after Chauvin case

By Steve Karnowski Jun. 24, 2021 02:10 PM EDT

The first time masks were not required on the House Floor, Monday, June 14, 2021, in St. Paul, Minn. The Minnesota Legislature convenes for the first day of what's expected to be a prolonged special session to pass a two-year, $52 billion state budget. Leaders met all weekend in the lead up to special session Monday to try and finalize deals on a number of issues, including police reform and education funding. (Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via AP)
Minnesota House passes $7 billion transportation budget bill

Jun. 23, 2021 05:56 PM EDT

Editorial Roundup: Minnesota

By The Associated Press Jun. 23, 2021 04:38 PM EDT
Minneapolis Star Tribune. June 21, 2021. Editorial: On vaccine, above average just won’t do 16 other states beat...

The first time masks were not required on the House Floor, Monday, June 14, 2021, in St. Paul, Minn. The Minnesota Legislature convenes for the first day of what's expected to be a prolonged special session to pass a two-year, $52 billion state budget. Leaders met all weekend in the lead up to special session Monday to try and finalize deals on a number of issues, including police reform and education funding. (Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via AP)
Deals on most budget bills take shape Minnesota Legislature

By Steve Karnowski Jun. 22, 2021 02:42 PM EDT

Minnesota lawmakers to hand out nearly $1B in tax cuts

By Mohamed Ibrahim Jun. 21, 2021 05:25 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — After a session marked early on by talk of possible tax increases, the Minnesota Legislature was on track Monday to hand out serious tax...

Landlords sue to force end to Minnesota eviction moratorium

Jun. 15, 2021 11:34 AM EDT
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A group representing Minnesota landlords announced a lawsuit Tuesday to force an end to the eviction moratorium imposed by Gov. Tim Walz...

House Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, and House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, DFL-Golden Valley enter a press conference before the start of Monday's special session on June 14, 2021, in St. Paul, Minn. The Minnesota Legislature convened for the first day of what's expected to be a prolonged special session to pass a two-year, $52 billion state budget. Leaders met all weekend in the lead up to Monday's special session to try and finalize deals on a number of issues, including police reform and education funding. (Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via AP)
Minnesota lawmakers convene special session to finish budget

By Mohamed Ibrahim Jun. 14, 2021 04:13 PM EDT

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is maskless but wore a big smile as he arrives for a press conference Monday, May 17, 2021, in St. Paul, Minn., to announce that he and the Legislature had agreed to spend $52 billion on the next two-year budget. (David Joles/Star Tribune via AP)
Walz, leaders, seek budget breakthroughs as Capitol reopens

By Steve Karnowski Jun. 10, 2021 04:08 PM EDT

Editorial Roundup: Minnesota

By The Associated Press Jun. 08, 2021 03:12 PM EDT
Minneapolis Star Tribune. June 5, 2021. Editorial: Clock is ticking on 2021 Minnesota Legislature Hurdles remain, but...

FILE - In this Jan. 26, 2021 file photo, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz takes off his University of Minnesota cloth face mask to answer a question from a reporter during a press conference in St. Paul, Minnesota will lift nearly all its COVID-19 restrictions just before Memorial Day weekend and drop its statewide mask requirement once 70% of residents age 16 and older get their first dose of vaccine, but no later than July 1, Gov. Walz announced Thursday, May 6. (Anthony Souffle/Star Tribune via AP)
GOP makes fresh push to end Minnesota's emergency powers

By Steve Karnowski Jun. 02, 2021 10:21 AM EDT

FILE - Demonstrators place signs on the fence protecting the Minnesota State Capitol Wednesday, June 17, 2020 in St. Paul, Minn. in the wake of the death of George Floyd in the custody of Minneapolis officers. Something will be missing when the Minnesota Legislature reconvenes next month to finish its work on a new budget - the fence that has surrounded the Capitol since last summer's unrest over the death of George Floyd. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File)
Fences comes down at Minnesota Capitol; layoff notes go out

Jun. 01, 2021 04:44 PM EDT

Minnesota breweries, distillers offer vaccination incentives

May. 28, 2021 03:08 PM EDT
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Several Minnesota breweries and distilleries are offering a shot and a beer to adults to encourage them to get vaccinated against COVID...

Minnesota candidate backs move to block COVID shots for kids

May. 28, 2021 12:18 PM EDT
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Jensen signed onto a lawsuit seeking to stop COVID-19 vaccinations for 12- to 15-year...

Minnesota offers giveaways for getting COVID-19 vaccine

By Mohamed Ibrahim May. 27, 2021 08:31 AM EDT
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz hopes giveaways including Minnesota State Fair tickets, fishing licenses and state park passes will help pick up the pace...

Minnesota to give away prizes to people who get vaccinated

May. 26, 2021 07:09 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says the state plans to offer up swag in an attempt to get more people vaccinated for the coronavirus. ...

FILE - In this Sept. 11, 2020, file photo, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, right, addresses reporters outside the Hennepin County Family Justice Center in Minneapolis. Ellison resisted calls for weeks to take over the prosecution of the white suburban Minneapolis police officer who shot Black motorist Daunte Wright. He finally did so last week after one county prosecutor quit the case and a second asked him to step in. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File)
In Minnesota, move to sidestep locals in prosecuting police

By Steve Karnowski And Amy Forliti May. 26, 2021 02:17 PM EDT

Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, R-East Gull Lake, right, and House Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, enjoyed a light moment during a press conference Monday, May 17, 2021, in St. Paul, Minn., announcing the Legislature and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz agreed to spend $52 billion on the next two-year budget. (David Joles/Star Tribune via AP)
Capitol fence will be missing when Legislature reconvenes

By Steve Karnowski May. 18, 2021 05:02 PM EDT

Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, R-East Gull Lake, second from right, and House Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, second from left, after a press conference Monday, May 17, 2021, in St. Paul, Minn., announcing the Legislature and Walz agreed to spend $52 billion on the next two-year budget. (David Joles/Star Tribune via AP)
Walz, legislative leaders reach $52 billion budget deal

By Steve Karnowski May. 17, 2021 11:51 AM EDT