Former Treasurer: 'It's Wrong' To Cut Auditor's Office Duties
A former Minnesota State Treasurer said he supports efforts by State Auditor Rebecca Otto to push back against a new law that cuts some of the duties of her office.
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A former Minnesota State Treasurer said he supports efforts by State Auditor Rebecca Otto to push back against a new law that cuts some of the duties of her office.
With thousands of state jobs in limbo, top lawmakers called it a week -- with no deal to finish their work in a special session. Legislators now have just 25 days to reach a deal or parts of the government start shutting down on July 1.
Because of State Capitol construction disruption, the State Office Building will be home to the bare-bones special session. Preparations are underway to squeeze the House and Senate inside two small hearing rooms. But those details are looming large.
Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton and Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt have agreed in principle to end the budget impasses that threatened to shut down the government.
Minnesota lawmakers will soon be meeting in special session, though Friday's talks ended with no deal in place. It's not clear whether they'll plan to meet over the weekend to try to hammer out the details.
Minnesota House Speaker Kurt Daudt visited a private St. Paul learning center for preschoolers Thursday, highlighting the centerpiece of the GOP education plan: Early learning scholarships. New Horizon Academy is settled in a working class St. Paul neighborhood where many families struggle.
Wednesday evening, Minnesota's top lawmakers started a new round of private talks about holding a special session of the Minnesota legislature.
Minnesota's governor says he's prepared to call a special session just as soon as top lawmakers smooth out their differences.
Minnesota has had 45 special sessions the last 110 years. But it's never had a problem like this -- there is no place to meet. Workers are emptying the State Capitol of all its contents, preparing for the most intense, complex restoration the building has ever had. And lawmakers are looking for a new special session home.
The Democratic governor on Wednesday ramped up pressure on lawmakers to include funding for his No. 1 priority: a statewide pre-kindergarten program. He'll meet as early as next Tuesday with the Republican House Speaker to hammer out the agenda for the special session.
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton said Wednesday he will not apologize for comments he made about Republicans after lawmakers did not pass his top priority: statewide pre-kindergarten programs. Dayton plans to veto the $17 billion education bill later this week and call a special session of the legislature to pass a new version instead.
On Tuesday, Gov. Mark Dayton sent a veto letter to House Speaker Kurt Daudt for what the governor called an "insufficient" $17 billion education budget bill.
On Tuesday Gov. Mark Dayton made good on his threat to take down the $17 billion education bill. It forces a special session, but Dayton said he won't call one until Republicans give him the pre-kindergarten programs he wants.
Minnesota legislators scrambled to work out a completed budget before the stroke of midnight, but the 2015 legislative session ended in chaos. Lawmakers managed to pass a $42 billion, two-year spending plan, but the education bill in that budget does not include pre-K funding.
Just a little more than 24 hours before state lawmakers are supposed to finish their business -- it looks like they may need overtime. Gov. Mark Dayton said Sunday he'll veto a major education spending bill because it does not include his No. 1 priority.
Federal Judge Donovan Frank appointed Court Monitor David Ferleger to make sure Minnesota follows orders to fix serious abuses of disabled patients. And he acts as a court-appointed consultant, making sure the state keeps a promise to reform Minnesota's sex offender treatment program.
Discussions over how to spend $40 billion-plus of Minnesota taxpayer money have reached a sensitive phase where negotiators are keeping mum about the headway they're making. With less than a week to get an on-time budget passed, leading House Republicans and Senate Democrats were expected back at Gov. Mark Dayton's official residence Wednesday for a fresh round of talks.
Minnesota budget negotiations entered a holding pattern Tuesday, with each side urging the other to take the first step to bridge an enormous divide over tax cuts and transportation funding that has narrowed little through days of private meetings.
Minnesotans are like everyone else when it comes to the end of our lives. But unlike 31 other states, some of us pay estate taxes after we're gone... and it's not popular.
It was against Minnesota law to refuse wedding services to same-sex couples even before Minnesota legalized gay marriage in 2013. But a Republican State Senator says businesses should not be forced to provide commercial service if it violates their religious beliefs.
The train derailment and fire Wednesday, which forced the evacuation of a nearby small town, was the fifth this year involving North Dakota trains.
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton and state business Tuesday launched an official bid Tuesday for the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship game. It would be played at the new Minnesota Vikings stadium under construction in Minneapolis, which is already hosting the 2018 Super Bowl and the 2019 Final Four.
MNsure's chief executive is resigning to take another job, the health insurance exchange confirmed Monday, paving the way for a third leadership shakeup at the beleaguered agency in less than two years.
The stage is set for a tax showdown at the state Capitol. Republicans in the Minnesota House passed a sweeping $2 billion tax relief plan on Wednesday that they say is sharply focused on middle class taxpayers.
It was last call Tuesday at the Minnesota State Capitol for Sunday liquor store sales. The Minnesota House defeated Sunday sales, shutting down the effort for another year. The Senate defeated a similar measure two weeks ago.
Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez ended her Democratic primary campaign for Wisconsin governor Friday, citing financial problems she said would distract from an election Democrats need to win.
Officials in northern Minnesota say the death of a woman whose body was found in a ditch Thursday is being investigated as suspicious.
A central Minnesota driver faces a felony charge after authorities allege she hit a man walking his dog, killing the animal and leaving the owner with multiple injuries.
Trillions of wealth passed down by the baby boomers will likely go to younger Americans who are already rich. Here's how much they'll get.
Crews are working to keep wildfires burning across northern Minnesota from reaching public and private infrastructure, officials said in a news conference Friday afternoon.
An argument escalated into a shooting around 10:40 p.m. Thursday near Cedar and 17th avenues, the Minneapolis Police Department said.
Authorities say an armed home invasion in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, Friday morning prompted a "significant police presence" and "large-scale search," but the suspect was not found.
WCCO Investigates has learned a state watchdog is taking a closer look at the community's concerns surrounding pollution problems at a battery recycling plant and the state agency that oversees it.
Minneapolis police are investigating after a man was shot and killed in Minneapolis on Thursday afternoon.
In this week's Talking Points, some warn that this endorsement could destroy the GOP's chances of winning up and down the ballot, including among Republicans.
Officials in northern Minnesota say the death of a woman whose body was found in a ditch Thursday is being investigated as suspicious.
A central Minnesota driver faces a felony charge after authorities allege she hit a man walking his dog, killing the animal and leaving the owner with multiple injuries.
Crews are working to keep wildfires burning across northern Minnesota from reaching public and private infrastructure, officials said in a news conference Friday afternoon.
In this week's Talking Points, some warn that this endorsement could destroy the GOP's chances of winning up and down the ballot, including among Republicans.
It's Tyler Larson's first year running a spray drone. On Thursday morning, he was applying fungicide to a soybean field near Owatonna, Minnesota.
For 66 years, the Lumberjack World Championships have brought the world's best to Hayward, Wisconsin.
Three people who died after a pontoon overturned on Lake Pepin over the weekend have been identified.
Two of the decedents were members of the Wabasha Fire Department, the chief confirmed.
A Wisconsin family lost their ten-month-old daughter after she swallowed a water bead. They blame Target and the water bead manufacturer for her death.
Francesca Hong has not backed away from calls to defund and abolish the police, raise taxes on the wealthy, and create a state-owned bank — positions now facing voters in a state Trump has carried twice.
The city of St. Paul, Minnesota, is taking a stand and closing encampments amid growing concerns.
Baseball fans might remember the Metrodome's iconic blue seats, and now in Atwater, Minnesota, spectators can once again grab a blue seat and watch a game.
Tucked away in the Midway neighborhood in St. Paul is a community treasure many have come to love and respect.
What started as a small fundraiser following one of Joe's surgeries at Gillette Children's has grown into a community tradition that has raised nearly $100,000 for the hospital.
A trip to the video store was once a weekly ritual, and now one Minnesota movie lover is trying to bring that experience back.
Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez ended her Democratic primary campaign for Wisconsin governor Friday, citing financial problems she said would distract from an election Democrats need to win.
In a primetime address, President Trump took to the airwaves to allege interference in the 2020 election from China — an accusation that Beijing and U.S. intelligence agencies have contradicted.
President Trump delivered a speech on election security Thursday night at the White House. Here are the facts behind some of his claims.
In this week's Talking Points, some warn that this endorsement could destroy the GOP's chances of winning up and down the ballot, including among Republicans.
The Minneapolis City Council approved a major redesign of Lyndale Avenue South on Thursday.
The lawsuit accuses Loon of using "kid-friendly characters" to promote its vapes in flavors such as Cotton Candy, Strawberry Popsicle, Banana Taffy and Blue Razz Slushy.
A Wisconsin family lost their ten-month-old daughter after she swallowed a water bead. They blame Target and the water bead manufacturer for her death.
For many Minnesotans, the road to the Fourth of July starts with a short drive across the St. Croix River to Wisconsin to stock up on fireworks. The kinds of pyrotechnics that can be legally ignited in Minnesota might be surprising.
Insurance experts say hail damage claims that once averaged $10,000–$15,000 now routinely reach $40,000–$60,000, even as many policies have shifted away from full replacement coverage.
Hundreds of workers, employed by Delaware North Company to serve food and drinks, say they are fighting for livable wages and healthcare benefits.
A central Minnesota driver faces a felony charge after authorities allege she hit a man walking his dog, killing the animal and leaving the owner with multiple injuries.
An argument escalated into a shooting around 10:40 p.m. Thursday near Cedar and 17th avenues, the Minneapolis Police Department said.
Authorities say an armed home invasion in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, Friday morning prompted a "significant police presence" and "large-scale search," but the suspect was not found.
Minneapolis police are investigating after a man was shot and killed in Minneapolis on Thursday afternoon.
The Minneapolis City Council on Thursday rejected a contract that would allow the police department to use drones to respond to emergencies.
The advice is to stay inside when air quality turns hazardous, but that's not an option for many outdoor workers.
A lettuce supplier to fast-food giant Taco Bell has been linked to a nationwide cyclosporiasis outbreak that has sickened thousands of people, the CDC said.
The Target USA Cup, the largest youth soccer tournament in the Western Hemisphere, is suspended Thursday in the Twin Cities due to hazardous air quality from northern wildfires.
A state law passed last year directed the state Department of Health to create materials on "recognizing the signs of physical abuse in infants and how to report suspected physical abuse of infants" and make them available online.
Officials are still searching for the source of the outbreak, prompting consumers to seek advice on social media about which foods to avoid.
There's so much to do this weekend in Minnesota, from festivals to art fairs.
Three Minnesota ice cream shops are in the running for a national title this summer.
New Zealand actor Sam Neill, known for "Jurassic Park" and "The Piano," died Monday at 78, his family says.
A St. Paul, Minnesota, neighborhood that has struggled to keep businesses might be turning a corner.
It's another action-packed weekend here in Minnesota, featuring hot dogs, book fairs, community celebrations and more.
LeBron James, the NBA's career scoring king and current free agent, remains undecided about where he'll play this season.
The Target USA Cup, the largest youth soccer tournament in the Western Hemisphere, is suspended Thursday in the Twin Cities due to hazardous air quality from northern wildfires.
Kayla McBride scored 24 for her fifth straight 20-point performance, Courtney Williams added 19 points, and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Los Angeles Sparks 96-87 for their fourth straight victory.
Defending World Cup champion Argentina rallied to edge England 2-1 to advance to Sunday's final at MetLife Stadium, where they will face Spain.
In a match Tuesday featuring two of soccer's biggest heavyweights, Spain put in a masterful performance, frustrating France to the tune of a 2-0 win to advance to Sunday's World Cup final.
There's less than a month to go before the Aug. 11 primary, and one of the most watched and competitive races is the DFL race for the nomination for U.S. Senate between Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Rep. Angie Craig.
New campaign finance numbers are expected out later this week in federal races, including Minnesota's U.S. Senate race, where a flood of ads is evidence of a highly competitive race.
Minnesota Republicans head into an August primary shaped by a president who has lost the state three times but still commands outsized loyalty from its conservative base.
Minnesota Republicans head into an August primary shaped by a president who has lost the state three times but still commands outsized loyalty from its conservative base.
Mike Lindell, who leads the Minnesota Republican gubernatorial primary at 27%, is proposing conditional non-resident visas for undocumented immigrants with no criminal record — a position that differs from the Trump administration's approach.
There's a scenic, nearly century-old spot in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where right now you'll find thousands of flowers in bloom.
Baseball fans might remember the Metrodome's iconic blue seats, and now in Atwater, Minnesota, spectators can once again grab a blue seat and watch a game.
It's a lake cruise in the middle of town, and there's more than pelicans on the Pelican Breeze tour in Albert Lea, Minnesota.
Currie, Minnesota, is truly small-town America. The population hovers at just over 200. But on the northern outskirts, you'll happen upon a place with plenty of bells and whistles: End-O-Line Railroad Park and Museum
School's out, summer's here, and if you're heading to the lake on Highway 10, you may just stumble upon hidden treasure.
When you get home from work in the evening, your first thought may be dinner. You might fire up the stove or oven, you could also start a load of laundry. Not long after that, you're running the dishwasher. You may think you're being efficient, but your house during this heat wave disagrees.
It's one of Minnesota's rules of the road in which two is better than one. But Jodi from Lakeville emailed WCCO saying a lot of drivers don't seem to care about the law.
Catching a flight with just a carry-on can make travel feel easy. No need to check a bag and all your belongings stay with you. But quite often, that suddenly changes before boarding.
Skip the latest fad diet. The best way to manage your weight might already be sitting on your plate.
There's no doubt your air conditioning unit is working overtime this week as oppressive heat blankets Minnesota.
The Minnesota State Fair has unveiled its new foods for 2026.
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.
Friday is the sixth straight NEXT Weather Alert day in the Twin Cities.
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.
Many businesses in downtown Ely are fretting over the rest of the summer.
The Minnesota National Guard shared an inside look of wildfire suppression efforts. As of Thursday, there were 15 active wildfires in Superior National Forest, with three inside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, according to MNICS. Public access to the Boundary Waters will remain closed until the fires are contained, officials said.
Dense wildfire smoke close to the surface continues to retreat and will help to improve air quality for more of us Friday morning, WCCO meteorologist Joseph Dames reports.
Friday is the sixth straight NEXT Weather Alert day in the Twin Cities.
Brooklyn Park police are asking residents to check their cameras and yards for any video or evidence related to an early morning home invasion.
Police say a woman in her 50s and a woman in her 20s were both shot and transported to a hospital.
Many businesses in downtown Ely are fretting over the rest of the summer.
The Minnesota National Guard shared an inside look of wildfire suppression efforts. As of Thursday, there were 15 active wildfires in Superior National Forest, with three inside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, according to MNICS. Public access to the Boundary Waters will remain closed until the fires are contained, officials said.