Mark Dayton

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Chief Judge Cleary to retire from Minnesota Appeals Court

October 15, 2019 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Court of Appeals Chief Judge Edward Cleary has announced that he will retire next spring.

The 66-year-old Cleary was appointed to the Court of Appeals by Gov. Mark Dayton in 2011, and has served as chief judge since 2013.

Our View: Timing is right for mandatory civics education

Staff WriterMarch 5, 2019 GMT

We’ve all heard the reports: When it comes to basic knowledge of civics, today’s high school and college students barely know a vote from a veto.

Well, maybe it’s not really that bad, but the lack of knowledge about our government and how it works is dire enough that Minnesota legislators are again attempting to pass a bill that would require high school juniors and seniors to take a for-credit civics class.

House Republican seeks quick Walz decision on Line 3 appeal

February 6, 2019 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A House Republican says he hopes a decision by the Minnesota Court of Appeals prompts Gov...

Walz: Decision on proceeding with Line 3 lawsuit will be his

By STEVE KARNOWSKIJanuary 11, 2019 GMT

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz said Friday that he and his new administration will be "actively engaged" on contentious natural resources issues, including Enbridge Energy's plan to replace its aging Line 3 oil pipeline across northern Minnesota...

Gov.-elect Walz picks Harrington as new public safety chief

By STEVE KARNOWSKIJanuary 4, 2019 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Gov.-elect Tim Walz on Friday named Metro Transit Police Chief John Harrington, a former St...

Gov.-elect Tim Walz names first 5 commissioners

By STEVE KARNOWSKIDecember 18, 2018 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Gov.-elect Tim Walz named a former speaker of the Minnesota House as his transportation commissioner Tuesday and kept the budget chief who serves the outgoing Gov...

Dayton’s proudest accomplishments came late in his career

By STEVE KARNOWSKIDecember 17, 2018 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton says his proudest accomplishments in his 40 years of politics came late in his career: restoring state government to financial health and funding all-day kindergarten...

Minnesota lawbreakers beg your pardon this holiday season

By Jennifer BrooksDecember 16, 2018 GMT

It was pardon day in Minnesota. Four hours of high drama and heartbreak and small mercies for people who are trying hard to be better than they used to be.

In a hearing room at the State Capitol on Thursday, a father of five took a seat before a stone-faced panel made up of Minnesota Gov.

Minnesota governor in Mayo, suffers post-surgery lung damage

November 16, 2018 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota's governor says he suffered lung damage while recovering from back surgery, keeping him at the Mayo Clinic for more than a month...

Herb Sam, Ojibwe leader and healer with broad influence in Minnesota, dies at 76

By Jackie CrosbySeptember 26, 2018 GMT

Years after he moved back to the reservation, Herb Sam still showed up at the Pow Wow Grounds coffee shop in Minneapolis on Friday mornings to lend an ear to a troubled soul.

He had his spot, said Robert Rice, owner of the gathering spot on Franklin Avenue.

National Eagle Center has big plans for state funding

Spencer SuckowJune 14, 2018 GMT

The nearly $1.5 billion bonding bill signed by Gov. Mark Dayton on May 30 included a significant funding for a Southeast Minnesota landmark.

The National Eagle Center in Wabasha, known as one of the world’s most comprehensive resources on bald and golden eagles, received $8 million as part of the bill’s commitment to funding public works projects in Minnesota.

The Pawlenty advantage: In governor’s race, he’s known

By LORI STURDEVANTApril 14, 2018 GMT

Heres a tiny Minnesota political quiz: Quickly dont think long or hard name a candidate for governor of Minnesota in 2018.

If you said Tim Pawlenty, youve helped me make todays point.

Hard-fought contests for governor are in progress in both parties, with three DFLers and four Republicans in the serious-contender echelons.

The Latest: Former VPs at swearing-in of 2 Senate Democrats

January 3, 2018 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on the swearing in of two new Senate Democrats (all times local):

Minnesota Lt. Gov. Smith to join Senate, dive into campaign

December 31, 2017 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Lt. Gov. Tina Smith is vowing to "hit the ground running" as she joins the U...

Smith leaves as head of DMC board

Randy PetersenDecember 29, 2017 GMT

Since being formed in 2013, the Destination Medical Center Corp. Board has only known one chairwoman.

Today, that chairwoman sent a letter to the board announcing she is stepping down.

"I am proud of the work that we accomplished together and am confident that under your leadership DMC can continue to move ahead," Lt.

Minnesota AG’s office says GOP Senate leader can’t do 2 jobs

December 22, 2017 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Republican state Senate President Michelle Fischbach cannot legally keep her Senate seat when she becomes lieutenant governor, the Minnesota attorney general's office said Thursday...

Latest: Minnesota governor defends agency in police shooting

December 21, 2017 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Latest on the investigation into a Minneapolis police officer's fatal shooting of an Australian woman (all times local):...

Tough work ahead for Tina Smith – on the Hill and at home

By J. Patrick Coolican and Jennifer BrooksDecember 16, 2017 GMT

Lt. Gov. Tina Smith’s political connections and savvy quickly united Minnesota’s ideologically and geographically diverse DFL Party behind her as Al Franken’s replacement in the U.S. Senate. Those same attributes will become a main emphasis of attack by Republicans next year.

Dayton, Fischbach pledge to work together in governor’s office

By Erin GoldenDecember 16, 2017 GMT

DFL Gov. Mark Dayton and his incoming lieutenant governor, GOP Sen. Michelle Fischbach, met for the first time Friday to discuss their unlikely partnership, agreeing they could find common ground on some issues — but not on the still-open question of whether Fischbach must give up her seat in the state Senate.

Minnesota Lt. Gov. Tina Smith named to fill Franken seat

By KYLE POTTERDecember 13, 2017 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton appointed Lt. Gov. Tina Smith on Wednesday to fill fellow Democrat Al Franken's Senate seat until a special election in November, setting up his longtime and trusted adviser for a potentially bruising 2018 special election...

2 Democrats: Minnesota governor’s top choice mulling ’18 run

By KYLE POTTERDecember 8, 2017 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton's top pick to fill Sen. Al Franken's Senate seat, Lt...

The Latest: Dayton pressured on Franken appointment

December 8, 2017 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Latest on the fallout from Minnesota Sen. Al Franken's plans to resign following allegations of sexual harassment (all times local):...

Gov. Mark Dayton won’t talk U.S. Senate pick

By Erin GoldenDecember 8, 2017 GMT

Gov. Mark Dayton said Friday morning that he will name a new U.S. senator “in a couple days” but declined to talk about who it might be.

Democratic Sen. Al Franken’s upcoming resignation leaves Minnesota’s governor with a big job: picking a replacement.

Headed into final year, Gov. Mark Dayton ready to move on from long fight over House, Senate budgets

By Erin GoldenNovember 26, 2017 GMT

DFL Gov. Mark Dayton, heading into his final year in office, says he is ready to make a major concession to Republican leaders in the Legislature in order to win approval of several major initiatives on his wish list.

Amid public safety crisis,” Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe holds rally to protest impasse with county

By Kelly SmithNovember 21, 2017 GMT

Dozens of Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and supporters rallied with state and local leaders at the Capitol on Monday over the monthslong policing dispute between Mille Lacs County and the tribe.

Gov. Mark Dayton, other officials apologize for Minnesota licensing problems

By Erin GoldenNovember 16, 2017 GMT

Four months into the problem-plagued rollout of Minnesotas new vehicle licensing system, Gov. Mark Dayton apologized Wednesday for its failures while the states top technology official conceded that the $97 million program should have undergone more testing before its release.

Minnesota Supreme Court upholds Gov. Mark Dayton’s veto of House, Senate budget

By Erin GoldenNovember 16, 2017 GMT

The Minnesota Supreme Court has upheld Gov. Mark Dayton’s veto of the budget of the state House and Senate.

The high court ruled Thursday that Dayton’s line-item veto “complied with the plain language ...

For Dayton, policy and politics aligned on controversial PolyMet project

By J. Patrick CoolicanOctober 29, 2017 GMT

Since Gov. Mark Dayton came out in favor of a controversial proposal by PolyMet to mine copper, nickel and other precious metals in northeastern Minnesota, he and his allies have said that his support is guided by sound environmental and economic policy — not politics.

Minnesota mosque explosion ‘deeper and scarier’ than threats

By JEFF BAENENAugust 7, 2017 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center in suburban Minneapolis, like other U.S. mosques, occasionally receives threatening calls and emails. Its leaders say they're more frightened now after an explosive shattered windows and damaged a room as worshippers prepared for morning prayers...

Three positive changes for Minnesota schools

Charlie WeaverJuly 4, 2017 GMT

Minnesotans have become accustomed to turbulence at the State Capitol, and this year is no exception. After vetoing the legislature's initial state budget bills during regular session, Gov. Mark Dayton called back lawmakers for a special session, in which the two sides agreed to a compromise budget.

Will Legislature finish on time?

Heather J. CarlsonMay 21, 2017 GMT

ST. PAUL — The governor warned Republican legislative leaders on Friday evening that their decision to move ahead with their own budget bills could lead to a special session.

DFL Gov. Mark Dayton said on TPT's public affairs show "Almanac" that he was disappointed GOP leaders had abandoned efforts to reach a final deal with him in favor of pushing ahead with their own budget proposals.

Political Notebook: All about the budget

Heather CarlsonApril 4, 2017 GMT

Budget bills will continue to dominate at the Minnesota Capitol this week.

Lawmakers are putting long hours in a push to pass all budget bills by Friday. Legislators are running about a month ahead of schedule when it comes to passing budget bills.

Around the state: Suspect in mail carrier shooting found dead

Staff WriterMarch 25, 2017 GMT

Mother of man killed by St. Paul police asks to see video

ST. PAUL — The mother of a man killed by St. Paul police is asking to view video that she says may show her son's final moments.

Cordale Quinn Handy, of Waukegan, Ill., died of multiple gunshot wounds last week.

Meet the Mayo doctor Dayton calls his ‘savior’

Heather Kehren-CarlsonMarch 17, 2017 GMT

Dr. Igor Frank has performed surgery on plenty of high-profile patients during his Mayo Clinic career. What he is not used to is being hailed as a "savior" by the governor of Minnesota.

Gov. Mark Dayton recently praised the surgeon at a Minnesota Capitol press conference.

Around the state: Liquor store opens Sunday

Staff WriterMarch 14, 2017 GMT

Liquor store opens Sunday ahead of new state law

MINNEAPOLIS — A Minneapolis liquor store has gotten a head start on opening for business on Sundays.

Surdyk's, a longtime liquor and cheese store in northeast Minneapolis, opened for business Sunday, despite Minnesota's new Sunday liquor sales law not taking effect until July.

Democrat Dayton: Health law ‘no longer affordable’ for many

By KYLE POTTEROctober 13, 2016 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota's Democratic governor said Wednesday that the Affordable Care Act is "no longer affordable" for many, a stinging critique from a state leader who strongly embraced the law and proudly proclaimed health reform was working in Minnesota just a few years ago...

Wendell Anderson, Minnesota’s former governor, dies at 83

July 17, 2016 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Wendell Anderson loved being Minnesota's governor so much that he couldn't wait to get to work in the morning...

Cliffs CEO paints upbeat picture of potential for disputed Essar Steel site

By Mike HughlettJuly 13, 2016 GMT

The CEO of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. says that if his mining company gets control of the newly bankrupt Essar Steel site in Nashwauk, Minn., it would build the first of what could be several direct-reduced iron plants an advancement for Minnesotas iron ore industry.

Minnesota Supreme Court upholds conviction in boy’s death

February 11, 2016 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Supreme Court has upheld the murder conviction of a Pope County woman in the death of her 4-year-old stepson.

A jury convicted Amanda Peltier of first-degree murder in 2014 after hearing evidence that she repeatedly bit and beat Eric Dean, and threw him across a room, causing a fatal injury.

Task force wants more child abuse reports investigated

By KYLE POTTERMarch 13, 2015 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — More reports of child maltreatment would automatically prompt an investigation under a plan adopted Friday by the governor's task force studying Minnesota's child protection system.

Report faults Pope County child protection in boy’s death

February 27, 2015 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A state report says Pope County child protection workers broke the law and missed numerous chances to intervene before a 4-year-old boy was killed by his stepmother in 2013.

The Star Tribune (http://strib.mn/1DiZRIm ) says a report from a child mortality panel Friday details failures not only by the western Minnesota county, but also by the state for endorsing practices that ultimately failed Eric Dean.

Minnesota to evaluate child protection system

September 11, 2014 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota will evaluate its child protection system following the death of a 4-year-old boy who was the subject of repeated maltreatment reports.

Gov. Mark Dayton has called Eric Dean's death a "colossal failure" by Pope County whose child protection agency should have notified law enforcement about the maltreatment reports.