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One of the top environmental issues in the legislative session that opens in January could be how best to protect Minnesota's wetlands. The GOP takeover of the Minnesota House has changed the landscape for the environment and natural resources at the Capitol. Republican leaders have given a strong signal of their priorities by restructuring the committees that will deal with those issues.
Rep. Kurt Daudt was in the WCCO-TV studio to talk with Esme Murphy on Sunday morning.
The fall election produced Minnesota's lowest voter turnout since 1986, according to results certified Tuesday. Final figures for this November's election put participation at 50.5 percent of eligible voters. That's the smallest percentage since 48 percent voted in the 1986 election.
uesday's election exposed electoral challenges for both Democrats and Republicans moving forward. Democrats suffered all but one of their majority-costing statehouse losses in districts outside the Twin Cities and their suburbs.
The one-time car salesman from Crown became the GOP's most powerful leader after taking Republicans from minority status to a 72-seat majority in the Minnesota House. Rep. Kurt Daudt, 41, becomes the second-most powerful politician in Minnesota, behind Gov. Mark Dayton. "It is the greatest honor of my life to be elected to be the next speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives," Daudt said.
DFLers in the Minnesota House have elected Rep. Paul Thissen of Minneapolis as their new minority leader. Thissen had been House speaker. But with Republicans winning control of the Minnesota House in Tuesday's elections, Democrats are returning to minority status in that chamber.
Minnesota voters gave Gov. Dayton a solid re-election victory. But unlike the last two years of Democratic dominance, Dayton's fresh reality is a new Republican majority in the Minnesota House. "I'm proud to say that Democrats' total control of state government in Minnesota is over," said Rep. Kurt Daudt, the House minority leader. Exuberant Republicans will take back the House they lost just two years ago. That's when they battled Gov. Dayton to a budget standoff, and a 17-day government shutdown -- the longest in U.S. history.
There will be competition among Republicans for who leads the party's new House majority. Minority Leader Kurt Daudt of Crown and former Majority Leader Matt Dean of Dellwood both say they're running to be House speaker when the Legislature returns to action. They are asking for support from the 72-member caucus, which meets Friday to pick its leadership.
Minnesota House Republicans will come into next year's legislative session with a majority and a tiny bit of breathing room.
Republicans have grabbed control of the Minnesota House and broken up the Democrats' short run of one-party rule at the Capitol. House Speaker Paul Thissen conceded early Wednesday that Democrats had lost control of the chamber.
Election Day arrived in Minnesota with Democrats feeling good about sweeping the biggest races in the state — for governor and U.S. Senate — and perhaps all of the statewide offices. But the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party was fighting a rear-guard action to hang on to the Minnesota House, with plenty of incumbents at risk and Republicans needing just seven seats to bring back divided government for the first time since 2012.
Control of the Minnesota House hinged Tuesday on fewer than two dozen races where loads of money fed fierce contests between the Democrats in charge and the Republicans looking to take over.
Democrats seeking to maintain control of Minnesota's House of Representatives have a hefty cash advantage heading into Election Day. Fundraising reports Tuesday show House Democrats' campaign arm has more than $1 million on hand.
Gov. Mark Dayton rolled into this city's old-brick main drag this week on a mission to save Rep. Shannon Savick, eagerly shaking hands and running down reasons voters should send her back to St. Paul for a second term. On Friday, Dayton was off to St. Cloud to help Rep. Zachary Dorholt, another freshman in a tough race.
A Minnesota House candidate is being sued in civil court after cutting his neighbor's garage in half in a property dispute. A lawsuit filed by Mark Besemann, of Iron, against Roger Weber, a Nashwauk Republican, asks for $20,000 in damages to the garage and $20,000 in punitive damages.
State Rep. Jenifer Loon, the second-ranking Republican in the Minnesota House, has survived a primary challenge brought on by her vote in favor of gay marriage.
Republican Rep. Bob Barrett provided the state Supreme Court with a copy of his driver's license and other evidence Thursday that he said proves he lives in his central Minnesota district.
The Minnesota Senate has passed an $846 million borrowing package for construction projects and sent it to Gov. Mark Dayton for his signature, finishing a crucial piece of business as lawmakers work toward adjournment. The bonding bill vote was 47-17, easily exceeding the required three-fifths majority.
A high-stakes gamble is shaping up over construction borrowing in the Minnesota House. Majority Democrats plan to put an $846 million public works plan up for a vote Thursday despite the lack of clear assurances enough Republican votes will be there. The bill requires 81 votes — 60 percent — to pass.
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton has sent a letter to House and Senate sponsors of their respective medical-marijuana bills. Dayton said he would sign the bill into law if legislators adopted the House version as is. Dayton sent the letter to Minneapolis Democratic Sen. Scott Dibble and Hibbing Democratic Rep. Carly Melin soon after the House passed a medical-marijuana proposal on Friday.
The Minnesota House overwhelmingly passed a bill on Friday that would legalize marijuana use for medical reasons but under tighter restrictions than a bill passed by the Senate earlier in the week.
A bill with tight limits on use of marijuana as medicine has reached a pivotal Minnesota House vote. Days after the Senate overwhelmingly passed a more-expansive version, House lawmakers planned to debate its own proposal and almost 50 potential amendments Friday.
The Minnesota House took action today to slow down a surge in smart phone thefts: requiring new smart phones to include a "kill switch." Lawmakers say smart phone thefts make up 40 percent of the robberies in Minneapolis and St Paul, and 62% of robberies at the University of Minnesota.
The Minnesota on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed a bill to try to slow down a surge in state heroin deaths on Wednesday. The bill, called "Steve's Law," makes it easier to call 911 without penalty if there's a heroin overdose. And it distributes a heroin antidote for overdose emergencies.
The day of reckoning over the Minnesota Lottery's foray into online gaming has been put off. House members voiced disapproval Tuesday over Internet and gas pump gambling options the lottery introduced.
Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves are still trying to climb over the hump at the top of the NBA after losing in the second round to the San Antonio Spurs.
Wildfires are spreading quickly in northern Minnesota and burning hundreds of acres of land among extreme fire risk conditions on Saturday.
Authorities in northern Minnesota are asking for tips from the public after a fire suppression aircraft was struck by a bullet on Friday.
A wildfire several miles north of Two Harbors, Minnesota, has grown to over 370 acres, according to officials.
Monday will mark five years since the tragic killing of 6-year-old Aniya Allen in Minneapolis
Monday will mark five years since the tragic killing of 6-year-old Aniya Allen in Minneapolis
Saturday looks perfect with ample sunshine, highs in the low 80s and less wind than previous days. Things turn active on Sunday.
Quincy Street isn't just at the center of Art-A-Whirl, it's at the heart of the Arts District in northeast Minneapolis. The road itself, however, is falling apart. And the only thing bumpier than the exposed brick is the reaction to the city's plans to fix it.
Staff with the City of Minneapolis are moving forward with a recommendation to give development rights for the Peoples' Way, located at George Floyd Square, to the Minnesota Agape Movement, officials said.
Dozens of beagles are getting a fresh start in Minnesota after they were rescued from a biomedical research center near Madison, Wisconsin.
Wildfires are spreading quickly in northern Minnesota and burning hundreds of acres of land among extreme fire risk conditions on Saturday.
Authorities in northern Minnesota are asking for tips from the public after a fire suppression aircraft was struck by a bullet on Friday.
A wildfire several miles north of Two Harbors, Minnesota, has grown to over 370 acres, according to officials.
Saturday looks perfect with ample sunshine, highs in the low 80s and less wind than previous days. Things turn active on Sunday.
Crews are working to put out a wildfire in Lake County that has burned around 100 acres, the Minnesota Incident Command System said Friday night.
A driver went airborne during a high-speed police chase in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, after fleeing a traffic stop.
Fifty beagles rescued from animal testing in Wisconsin are set to arrive in Minnesota Thursday.
A 100-mile stretch of Mississippi River towns is hosting its annual 100 Mile Garage Sale this weekend, drawing shoppers and sellers from across the region and beyond.
Minnesota animal rescues are stepping up to take in dogs from a Wisconsin research facility accused of animal abuse.
You may have heard of Give to the Max Day, where people donate millions of dollars to hundreds of nonprofits and organizations across Minnesota on a single day. That idea has spread to western Wisconsin, called Give Big Valleys.
Quincy Street isn't just at the center of Art-A-Whirl, it's at the heart of the Arts District in northeast Minneapolis. The road itself, however, is falling apart. And the only thing bumpier than the exposed brick is the reaction to the city's plans to fix it.
Somali and Muslim leaders in Minnesota played a threatening voicemail at a public gathering Friday, saying businesses in their community are being targeted with messages warning of death.
The Black homeownership rate in the Twin Cities dropped to 29% in 2024, and the region had the largest gap between Black and White homeownership rates of any comparable metro in the country.
Bobby Rogers once came to the Minneapolis Institute of Art to sketch and study; now he leads its design and editorial work, shaping what visitors see and experience.
Moses Cooper, who has cerebral palsy, met running partner Mark Hulsey through My Team Triumph Minnesota two years ago and the pair qualified for the Boston Marathon at Grandma's Marathon last summer.
WCCO's Adam Duxter and Esme Murphy have updates as the Minnesota Legislative session nears end.
Reg Chapman has the morning headlines.
President Trump announced Friday evening that U.S. and Nigerian military forces had killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, a leader in the Islamic State group.
A protest led by DFL members of the Minnesota House over a stalled gun reform bill entered the 24-hour mark on Friday night as the session goes down to the wire. The state representatives are holding the floor at the Minnesota State Capitol in hopes of getting a vote on the legislation. Republicans in the chamber say it's already had its chance. Ubah Ali spoke with a political science professor about how this compares to previous demonstrations over similar proposals.
A round-the-clock protest entered its 22nd hour at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul on Friday evening. With just two days left in the session, DFL lawmakers are holding a sit-in in the Minnesota House. They want Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth to allow a vote on gun control in the wake of the deadly Annunciation shooting. WCCO’ Esme Murphy shares where the debate stands as of Friday evening.
Part of the end-of-session deal in the Minnesota Legislature rolls back skyrocketing tab renewal fees. Those fees have electric vehicle owners especially revved up.
In Minnesota, you'll be able to try one at St. Paul's CHS Field.
With more Americans opting to drive rather than fly amid higher costs, South Dakota tourism officials say the state is well-positioned as a regional road trip destination.
President Trump's idea to save drivers a few dollars at the pump could cost them in the long run.
A 100-mile stretch of Mississippi River towns is hosting its annual 100 Mile Garage Sale this weekend, drawing shoppers and sellers from across the region and beyond.
Authorities in northern Minnesota are asking for tips from the public after a fire suppression aircraft was struck by a bullet on Friday.
Monday will mark five years since the tragic killing of 6-year-old Aniya Allen in Minneapolis
Police in Rochester, Minnesota, are investigating a shooting near Essex Park, according to a post on social media.
Justin Eichorn, the former Republican Minnesota state senator charged last year with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, appeared in a St. Paul federal court Thursday where he instead pleaded guilty to attempted possession of child pornography.
Federal investigators say four men from South America burglarized homes in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Florida, and walked away with more than a million dollars worth of cash, jewelry, firearms, precious metals and rare coins.
It comes after insurers stopped paying for their kids' daily care, which they argue was covered as part of a 15-year-old state law. As the end of the Minnesota session nears, lawmakers have four days to make a change.
A Twin Cities teenager is facing an unimaginable battle: terminal cancer. She's fortunate enough to have family by her side through her fearless fight as they all hope for a miracle.
Dr. Gianrico Farrugia has led Mayo Clinic since 2019, and the organization said it was his decision to "complete his tenure at the end of this year."
Twin Cities emergency room physicians, nurses and technicians made an emotional plea Tuesday for lawmakers to do something about Minnesota's gun laws.
The Minnesota Department of Health said Tuesday afternoon that it is monitoring a person who was potentially exposed to someone who tested positive for hantavirus aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship.
The Library of Congress revealed this year's list of 25 recordings to be preserved for future generations on the National Recording Registry.
Dave Ryan announced Wednesday that May 22 will be his last day at KDWB, ending a 33-year run at the Twin Cities station.
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are calling their Aug. 29 show "Homecoming: A Celebration of the Minneapolis Sound."
A trial in the lawsuit between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni was set to begin later in May.
The Minnesota Star Tribune was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for breaking news for its coverage of a mass shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school that killed two children and injured more than a dozen others.
Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves are still trying to climb over the hump at the top of the NBA after losing in the second round to the San Antonio Spurs.
Defenseman Jonas Brodin and center Joel Eriksson Ek were unable to play for the Minnesota Wild in the second-round series against the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL playoffs because of broken bones in their feet.
Aaron Ashby became the major leagues' first eight-game winner, helped when an interference call on third baseman Royce Lewis allowed the tying run to score in a two-run eighth inning, and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Minnesota Twins 3-2 for their seventh win in eight games.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been eliminated from the postseason after losing to the San Antonio Spurs 139-109 on Friday night in Minneapolis.
The Preakness Stakes featured its biggest field in 15 years with 14 horses in the middle jewel of horse racing's Triple Crown.
Amy Klobuchar is putting her gubernatorial campaign into high gear. She faces no significant opposition in the race for the DFL endorsement and her existing record of statewide wins is formidable.
The legislation establishes a list of requirements aimed at improving transparency and reducing conflicts within HOAs. Minnesota estimates that 25% of its residents live in an HOA, and 82% of new homes are built within one.
The Minnesota Senate passed a bill with mandatory requirements for homeowners associations aimed at improving transparency and preventing disputes, after two years of legislative work driven by public complaints.
The Minnesota Senate passed a bill with mandatory requirements for homeowners associations aimed at improving transparency and preventing disputes, after two years of legislative work driven by public complaints. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy spoke with Dana Ohman, an attorney who handles HOA disputes, about some of the most common questions homeowners have.
Sen. Tina Smith is using her last months in office to vocally campaign for progressive and environmental causes. She hopes that a progressive will succeed her when Minnesotans go to the polls next November.
There's a place in Wabasha County, Minnesota, where people go wild for wildflowers.
For nearly 50 years, Farmamerica has been sowing agricultural knowledge near Waseca, Minnesota.
The carillon has 56 bells, and the Mayo Clinic said that makes it one of the largest instruments in the world and the largest instrument in Minnesota.
When you think of masterful, memorable works of art, grain elevators don't typically come to mind. But in towns across the country, including in Minnesota, they're becoming an unlikely canvas for creativity.
At Arnie Lillo's Creations in Blue Earth County, you can visit a metal-scaled version of the Eiffel Tower and the Golden Gate Bridge. The works of art have taken on a shape of their own.
President Trump's idea to save drivers a few dollars at the pump could cost them in the long run.
More people than the entire population of Minneapolis, or half a million, were estimated to go fishing in Minnesota this past weekend. WCCO looks at how the tradition stacks up with other outdoor events that keep the state's economy running.
A deadly virus that's killed cruise ship passengers can be traced to small critters found hiding in homes.
So far this decade, the Twin Cities metro has, on average, added about 17,000 housing units per year, according to data from the Metropolitan Council.
A symbolic change is bothering some Minnesotans. Now their local leaders are listening; several cities are voting to fly the old state flag instead of the new one. While it was a drastic redesign, it wasn't the first.
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Minnesotans got a great view of the northern lights Tuesday night.
A look at the newest addition to the polar bear population at St. Paul, Minnesota's Como Zoo.
From food shelves to school programs, our team is proud to serve where it matters most.
The Minnesota State Fair has unveiled its new food, drinks and vendors for 2025.
Meteorologist Lisa Meadows has the latest forecast.
In Minnesota, weather can be all over the place. Here at WCCO, we want to give you what you need to prepare for what's happening next.
Meteorologist Lisa Meadows has the latest forecast, with severe weather expected Sunday.
Saturday looks perfect with ample sunshine, highs in the low 80s and less wind than previous days. Things turn active on Sunday.
Meteorologist Adam Del Rosso has the latest forecast.
Meteorologist Lisa Meadows has the latest forecast.
WCCO's Adam Duxter and Esme Murphy have updates as the Minnesota Legislative session nears end.
Wildfires in northern Minnesota are estimated to have burned hundreds of acres, and continue to spread rapidly Saturday.
Meteorologist Lisa Meadows has the latest forecast, with severe weather expected Sunday.
A wildfire several miles north of Two Harbors, Minnesota, has grown to over 370 acres, according to officials. Video from social media shows its destruction.