More from the HomepageHoping to head off another night of chaos, Gov. Tim Walz said that peaceful protesters and others who remained outside after the 8 p.m. curfew would be "aiding and abetting" vandals who use the crowds as cover for their looting and arson on city streets. ByandStar TribunemoreCopy shortlink:After a day of protests and increasing tension across the Twin Cities, Gov. Tim Walz used a widely televised evening news conference to implore everyone to stay home and help restore order to the state’s two major urban centers.“Minnesotans, you must stay at home tonight,” Walz...…More from the HomepageHoping to head off another night of chaos, Gov. Tim Walz said that peaceful protesters and others who remained outside after the 8 p.m. curfew would be "aiding and abetting" vandals who use the crowds as cover for their looting and arson on city streets. ByandStar TribunemoreCopy shortlink:After a day of protests and increasing tension across the Twin Cities, Gov. Tim Walz used a widely televised evening news conference to implore everyone to stay home and help restore order to the state’s two major urban centers.“Minnesotans, you must stay at home tonight,” Walz...WW…

Geography is just one of many variables in a presidential race — but it’s a big one. Where voters turn out could determine whether President Donald Trump becomes the first Republican presidential candidate to win Minnesota in nearly half a century. Use the interactive sliders below to see how changes in turnout and the partisan mix in different regions could flip Minnesota. By Michael Corey, Anna Boone, Jessie Van Berkel and Torey Van OotStar Tribune • Sept. 22, 2020}Follow usWelcome,…Geography is just one of many variables in a presidential race — but it’s a big one. Where voters turn out could determine whether President Donald Trump becomes the first Republican presidential candidate to win Minnesota in nearly half a century. Use the interactive sliders below to see how changes in turnout and the partisan mix in different regions could flip Minnesota. By Michael Corey, Anna Boone, Jessie Van Berkel and Torey Van OotStar Tribune • Sept. 22, 2020}Follow usWelcome,WW…

ByGov. Tim Walz announced a statewide mandate Wednesday requiring Minnesotans to wear face masks in stores and indoor gathering places in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 and prevent a second surge of hospitalizations and deaths.When the new rule takes effect Saturday, Minnesota will join roughly 30 states that have imposed similar mask-wearing requirements in the absence of any federal act and despite sharply polarized political views.Loading...“If we can get a 90 to 95% compliance, which we’ve seen the science shows, we can reduce the infection rates dramatically, which slows that...…ByGov. Tim Walz announced a statewide mandate Wednesday requiring Minnesotans to wear face masks in stores and indoor gathering places in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 and prevent a second surge of hospitalizations and deaths.When the new rule takes effect Saturday, Minnesota will join roughly 30 states that have imposed similar mask-wearing requirements in the absence of any federal act and despite sharply polarized political views.Loading...“If we can get a 90 to 95% compliance, which we’ve seen the science shows, we can reduce the infection rates dramatically, which slows that...WW…

ByMinnesota restaurants will be able to sell beer and wine with to-go orders during the coronavirus closures under an agreement expected to get final approval in the Legislature on Friday.The Senate overwhelmingly approved Thursday that allows restaurants with liquor licenses to sell up to one bottle of wine or the equivalent of a six pack of beer, cider or hard seltzer with food orders. Cocktails and mixed drinks will remain off the menu.Loading...The House is expected to follow suit on Friday, sending the bill to Gov. Tim Walz, who has indicated he will sign it. The new off-sale rule...…ByMinnesota restaurants will be able to sell beer and wine with to-go orders during the coronavirus closures under an agreement expected to get final approval in the Legislature on Friday.The Senate overwhelmingly approved Thursday that allows restaurants with liquor licenses to sell up to one bottle of wine or the equivalent of a six pack of beer, cider or hard seltzer with food orders. Cocktails and mixed drinks will remain off the menu.Loading...The House is expected to follow suit on Friday, sending the bill to Gov. Tim Walz, who has indicated he will sign it. The new off-sale rule...WW…

ByAbortion and other reproductive health services remain accessible in Minnesota amid broader cutbacks in care, even as legal fights erupt in other states over new bans enacted in response to the pandemic.Republican governors in several states, including Iowa, have sought to restrict abortion as part of their coronavirus response. In Minnesota, where Gov. Tim Walz has ordered a temporary stop to most “nonessential” medical procedures, abortions remain available, though some state lawmakers have objected.Loading...Providers applauded the designation, saying ensuring access to the full range...…ByAbortion and other reproductive health services remain accessible in Minnesota amid broader cutbacks in care, even as legal fights erupt in other states over new bans enacted in response to the pandemic.Republican governors in several states, including Iowa, have sought to restrict abortion as part of their coronavirus response. In Minnesota, where Gov. Tim Walz has ordered a temporary stop to most “nonessential” medical procedures, abortions remain available, though some state lawmakers have objected.Loading...Providers applauded the designation, saying ensuring access to the full range...WW…

ByDrop-off voting sites around the Twin Cities reported heavy turnout and in some cases long lines with waits of up to four hours Saturday after the website Minnesotans use to track their absentee ballots experienced hardware problems.A spokeswoman for Secretary of State Steve Simon said access to the public-facing tools were restored midmorning, after a "hardware issue impacting the online tools for voters." The problem also affected the Statewide Voter Registration System. By late afternoon, all systems were restored.Spokeswoman Risikat Adesaogun said voters were still able to cast...…ByDrop-off voting sites around the Twin Cities reported heavy turnout and in some cases long lines with waits of up to four hours Saturday after the website Minnesotans use to track their absentee ballots experienced hardware problems.A spokeswoman for Secretary of State Steve Simon said access to the public-facing tools were restored midmorning, after a "hardware issue impacting the online tools for voters." The problem also affected the Statewide Voter Registration System. By late afternoon, all systems were restored.Spokeswoman Risikat Adesaogun said voters were still able to cast...WW…

ByA top Minnesota Republican Party official has left her role with just over month to go until Election Day.Executive Director Becky Alery is no longer working with the state party, two sources told the Star Tribune.Alery, a political operative who previously worked for U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer and former U.S. Rep. Jason Lewis, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Calls and texts to MNGOP Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan and a party spokesman also went unanswered.Alery, the party’s former communications director, was promoted to the top job late last year. She succeeded Kevin...…ByA top Minnesota Republican Party official has left her role with just over month to go until Election Day.Executive Director Becky Alery is no longer working with the state party, two sources told the Star Tribune.Alery, a political operative who previously worked for U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer and former U.S. Rep. Jason Lewis, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Calls and texts to MNGOP Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan and a party spokesman also went unanswered.Alery, the party’s former communications director, was promoted to the top job late last year. She succeeded Kevin...WW…

ByA powerful statewide police group is pulling its endorsements of several Democratic state legislators, marking the latest turn in a deepening political rift over a DFL-endorsed candidate’s conduct at a rally outside Minneapolis Police Federation President Bob Kroll’s home.The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association (MPPOA) board voted this week to back Republican challengers to Democratic incumbents in at least two potentially competitive seats, according to social media posts from the GOP candidates. The association, which represents more than 10,000 law enforcement members...…ByA powerful statewide police group is pulling its endorsements of several Democratic state legislators, marking the latest turn in a deepening political rift over a DFL-endorsed candidate’s conduct at a rally outside Minneapolis Police Federation President Bob Kroll’s home.The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association (MPPOA) board voted this week to back Republican challengers to Democratic incumbents in at least two potentially competitive seats, according to social media posts from the GOP candidates. The association, which represents more than 10,000 law enforcement members...WW…

ByTop DFL legislators are calling for sweeping police reforms in the wake of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis, urging leaders to pass changes as part of a broader funding deal during a special session of the Minnesota Legislature in June.Sen. Jeff Hayden, DFL-Minneapolis, said Thursday that the Legislature has a “critical role to play” in adopting systemic changes to address racism and other issues with law enforcement. The assistant Senate minority leader said Democrats should demand action as part of negotiations over a public construction borrowing bill that remains unresolved since...…ByTop DFL legislators are calling for sweeping police reforms in the wake of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis, urging leaders to pass changes as part of a broader funding deal during a special session of the Minnesota Legislature in June.Sen. Jeff Hayden, DFL-Minneapolis, said Thursday that the Legislature has a “critical role to play” in adopting systemic changes to address racism and other issues with law enforcement. The assistant Senate minority leader said Democrats should demand action as part of negotiations over a public construction borrowing bill that remains unresolved since...WW…

Barricades, security fencing and police officers protect the home of former Brooklyn Center police Officer Kimberly Potter on April 14 in Champlin, Minnesota. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty ImagesThe city of Champlin, Minn., has spent more than $9,000 to erect a security perimeter protecting the home of , the former police officer who fatally shot 20-year-old Daunte Wright. What's happening: cement barricades, fencing and officers stationed outside Potter's suburban Twin Cities home. She faces manslaughter charges in Wright's death. What they're saying: Wagner said the security is needed to...…Barricades, security fencing and police officers protect the home of former Brooklyn Center police Officer Kimberly Potter on April 14 in Champlin, Minnesota. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty ImagesThe city of Champlin, Minn., has spent more than $9,000 to erect a security perimeter protecting the home of , the former police officer who fatally shot 20-year-old Daunte Wright. What's happening: cement barricades, fencing and officers stationed outside Potter's suburban Twin Cities home. She faces manslaughter charges in Wright's death. What they're saying: Wagner said the security is needed to...WW…