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Articles by Peter Cox
Flanagan keeps Senate seat in DFL hands, will be first female Native senator
Minnesota DFL Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, who used her own upbringing to connect with voters feeling financially strapped, made history Tuesday by winning a U.S. Senate seat. Peter Cox, Minnesota Public Radio News Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan speaks to reporters after casting her ballot in St. Louis Park on Tuesday. Flanagan won the open U.S. Senate seat from Minnesota, defeating former sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya. Ben Hovland/MPR News Call her senator. Minnesota DFL Lt. Gov.
Prediction market ban, other bills edge toward votes at Capitol
Little by little, agreements are coming together in the final week of the Minnesota Legislature’s session, including one to take on the fast-spreading use of prediction markets. Lawmakers are racing to complete their work by Sunday night because Minnesota’s Constitution doesn’t allow them to approve legislation on the final day, which is Monday.
Legislature dives into fraud, immigration, eviction issues as short se...
After an opening day of somber ceremony, the Minnesota Legislature saw a jolt of action Wednesday as lawmakers used 19 committee hearings to start tackling the workload, and hundreds of Minnesotans filling the Capitol to raise top concerns. Front and center were two issues that will define the legislative session: Fraud and immigration. Lawmakers have three months to weigh policy changes, do budget touch ups and consider a package of publicly financed construction projects.
Vice President JD Vance heads to Minnesota amid high tensions over imm...
Thursday, January 2210°F / Albert Lea, MN Vice President JD Vance is the latest high-ranking Trump administration official to come to Minneapolis as a polarizing immigration action has Minnesota on edge. Peter Cox, Minnesota Public Radio News Vice President JD Vance is the latest high-ranking Trump administration official to come to Minneapolis as a polarizing immigration action has Minnesota on edge.
Chorus of complaints greet local leaders as Minnesota property taxes f...
A week from Monday, property tax levies for Minnesota local governments must be finalized, and many homeowners have flooded public hearings to voice displeasure with what’s on tap. The property tax levies — and in many cases hefty increases to them — differ by jurisdiction. But the public pressure over them has been felt throughout the state. All month, property owners packed city council chambers and county board rooms.
Former Minnesota GOP chair David Hann joins U.S. Senate race
Former Minnesota Republican Party Chair David Hann got into the U.S. Senate race Thursday, adding himself to a field that could get even more crowded in the new year. Hann, a former Minnesota state Senate leader, is running for the seat that Democratic U.S. Sen. Tina Smith will leave at the end of 2026. “We need to have representation in Washington that is going to work with the administration and not just be obstructionist.
Walz taps new official to head off fraud, takes steps to address lapse...
A former judge and criminal investigator landed an assignment Friday as the first Director of Program Integrity in state government, part of a fresh set of efforts by Gov. Tim Walz to contain a spiraling problem of fraud in Minnesota programs. Seeking to set up new defenses, Walz turned to Tim O’Malley, who was previously a judge in the Court of Administrative Hearings and past head of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
State economic forecast will show whether efforts to slim Minnesota bu...
After slimming the size of Minnesota’s budget this spring, state lawmakers learn Thursday if they have erased red ink into the future or have a projected deficit yet to fix. A state economic forecast will provide both short- and long-term looks at Minnesota’s finances, driven by decisions made here and by national economic conditions they have less control over.
Former ambassador, ex-UN food aid leader among 4 new regents selected for U of M Original
ST. PAUL — Four new members gained spots Tuesday, Aug. 12, on the University of Minnesota's Board of Regents, a full third of the board at a time of immense challenge for the land-grant college.
Witness says Sen. Nicole Mitchell made stepmother feel ‘threatened’ before alleged break-in
Jurors are hearing from police investigators and witnesses about family dynamics in the trial of State Sen. Nicole Mitchell in Becker County. Mitchell, a democrat from Woodbury, is facing charges of first degree attempted burglary and possession of burglary tools for allegedly breaking into her stepmother’s Detroit Lakes home in April 2024. Jurors heard testimony Wednesday from Pam Muxfeldt, Carol Mitchell’s niece and goddaughter, who would have power of attorney for Carol if needed.
GOP leaders call on Sen. Eichorn to resign after arrest
Minnesota state Sen. Justin Eichorn was arrested Monday in Bloomington for allegedly soliciting a minor for prostitution. Bloomington police said Eichorn was arrested near the 8300 block of Normandale Boulevard at around 6 p.m. Eichorn, R-Grand Rapids, was booked into the Bloomington city jail and remains in custody.
GOP leaders call for Sen. Eichorn to resign after arrest for allegedly soliciting a minor - Albert Lea Tribune
GOP leaders call for Sen. Eichorn to resign after arrest for allegedly soliciting a minor Published 3:06 pm Tuesday, March 18, 2025 Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... By Peter Cox and Clay Masters, Minnesota Public Radio News Minnesota state Sen. Justin Eichorn was arrested Monday in Bloomington for allegedly soliciting a minor for prostitution.
GOP bill labeling Trump opposition a ‘derangement syndrome’ causes Minnesota Capitol stir - Albert Lea Tribune
GOP bill labeling Trump opposition a ‘derangement syndrome’ causes Minnesota Capitol stir Published 5:09 am Tuesday, March 18, 2025 Five Republican senators introduced a bill Monday that would designate “Trump Derangement Syndrome” as a mental illness.
Minnesota House seat gets filled as Legislature begins confronting new budget reality - Albert Lea Tribune
Minnesota House seat gets filled as Legislature begins confronting new budget reality Published 10:02 am Monday, March 10, 2025 Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... By Peter Cox, Minnesota Public Radio News Minnesota’s House enters its third act this week. After a January lockup and slumping through much of February and early March, a special election offers the latest restart.
Bill that would make more attorney general data public fails in Minnesota House vote - Albert Lea Tribune
Bill that would make more attorney general data public fails in Minnesota House vote Published 6:14 am Friday, February 21, 2025 The Minnesota State Capitol is pictured on the first day of the 2025 legislative session on Jan. 14. Ben Hovland/MPR News Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... House Republicans saw the first bill put to a vote this year fall to defeat, delivering a setback on a GOP measure to require more data disclosure by the attorney general’s office.
Proposed trims to Minnesota’s disability waiver program concern people reliant on services - Albert Lea Tribune
Proposed trims to Minnesota’s disability waiver program concern people reliant on services Published 8:56 pm Wednesday, January 29, 2025 Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... By Peter Cox, Minnesota Public Radio News For the Perry family, Minnesota’s disability waiver program is a lifeline. “The waiver system has been amazing,” said David Perry. Email newsletter signup Sign up for our daily email newsletter Perry’s 18-year-old son, Nico, is autistic and has Down syndrome.
Minnesota State Fair sets another daily attendance record over the weekend - Albert Lea Tribune
Minnesota State Fair sets another daily attendance record over the weekend Published 7:46 pm Monday, September 2, 2024 Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... By Peter Cox, Minnesota Public Radio News The Minnesota State Fair set its fifth daily attendance record of the year Sunday, bringing 256,015 people through the gates. That number is about 11,000 more than the previous record for the last Sunday of the fair, which was set in 2019.
What Walz — and the records — say about his military service as others criticized it - Albert Lea Tribune
What Walz — and the records — say about his military service as others criticized it Published 12:09 pm Thursday, August 8, 2024 In 1981, Tim Walz and his father traveled to the nearest Army National Guard enlistment officer to his hometown in Nebraska. “We met up with a lieutenant who had to get off his tractor from early spring plowing,” Walz said in a 2018 interview with MPR News. “And we did the oath of enlistment right there on the edge of a field with the recruiter.
Travel woes and Delta delays continue, but may be easing at MSP airport - Albert Lea Tribune
Travel woes and Delta delays continue, but may be easing at MSP airport Published 11:24 am Wednesday, July 24, 2024 Travelers wait in line at the Delta service desk in the Terminal 1 baggage claim area at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Tuesday. Ben Hovland/MPR News Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
St. Paul native Joe Mauer will be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame - Albert Lea Tribune
St. Paul native Joe Mauer will be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame Published 10:43 am Tuesday, July 16, 2024 Minnesota Twins' Joe Mauer celebrates his home run with Twins' third base coach Gene Glynn against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning during a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King, File) Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
'Minnesota Nice' has been replaced by a new, cheeky slogan for the state
There's a new slogan making the rounds in Minnesota spurred by an interview with an NBA Star. Instead of "Minnesota Nice", it's a more naughty way of telling people to come visit the state and the state's tourism agency and others have embraced it. Copyright 2024 NPR
Minnesota state trooper charged with murder in the killing of Ricky Cobb II
MINNEAPOLIS — Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty has charged a Minnesota State Patrol trooper for the shooting death of a motorist last summer in Minneapolis. Ricky Cobb II, 33, was killed by trooper Ryan Londregan during a stop on Interstate 94 in Minneapolis at about 2 a.m. on July 31, 2023. Londregan is charged with second-degree unintentional murder, first-degree assault and second-degree manslaughter.
Fears, frustration mount as Minnesota’s long-term care staffing crisis deepens - Albert Lea Tribune
Fears, frustration mount as Minnesota’s long-term care staffing crisis deepens Published 3:57 pm Friday, October 7, 2022 By Peter Cox, Minnesota Public Radio News Minnesota’s long-term care industry has long struggled with staff shortages. But after two years of COVID-19, the industry is reeling and a hard reality is beginning to take a toll on the residents of these facilities and their families. The pandemic has crippled the industry’s ability to recruit and retain workers.
Fears, frustration mount as Minnesota's long-term care staffing crisis deepens
ST. PAUL — Minnesota’s long-term care industry has long struggled with staff shortages. But after two years of COVID-19, the industry is reeling and a hard reality is beginning to take a toll on the residents of these facilities and their families. The pandemic has crippled the industry’s ability to recruit and retain workers. The state’s long-term care workforce has plummeted by around 20% during the past two years. Since 2019, 18 nursing homes have closed, including six so far this year.
ST. PAUL -- In one measure of how windy it was in Minnesota, utilities reported generating much more wind power this year. In Willmar, the gusty spring months have translated into record breaking power production for the city power utility's two wind turbines. “We knew it was windy out. I guess I didn't realize it was this windy,” said Kevin Marti, the supervisor of facilities and maintenance at Willmar Municipal Utilities.
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