politics
Why Minnesota could soon face a budget shortfall
The state projects a $2.4 billion surplus in the short term but could face a deficit in a couple years.
St. Paul officials say Xcel Energy Center is showing its age — and they want state help to fix it up
The city and Minnesota Wild plan to seek state funding to renovate the 23-year-old arena. The total cost is likely to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
2024 vote could bring electoral college distortions to the forefront
A tiny segment of the population will get an outsize say in who leads the United States. And the will of the majority may not even prevail.
Capitol campus makeover begins with State Office Building renovation
The renovations will cause disruptions for legislators and staff over the next two years.
GOP presidential candidates share stories of family and faith. Offstage, their sharp edges reemerged
A trio of Republican presidential candidates shared stories of family and faith before hundreds of voters in northwest Iowa on Saturday, having congenial individual conversations with their hosts not long after dueling at the campaign's latest fractious debate. But off the stage at a small Christian college in Sioux Center, the rivals' sharp edges reemerged.
Wisconsin university regents reject deal with Republicans to reduce diversity positions
Universities of Wisconsin regents narrowly rejected a deal Saturday reached with Republicans that would have given employees a pay raise and paid for construction of a new engineering building in exchange for reductions in staff positions focused on diversity, equity and inclusion.
New US aid for Ukraine by year-end seems increasingly out of reach as GOP ties it to border security
A deal to provide further U.S. assistance to Ukraine by year-end appears to be increasingly out of reach for President Joe Biden. The impasse is deepening in Congress despite dire warnings from the White House about the consequences of inaction as Republicans insist on pairing the aid with changes to America's immigration and border policies.
US vetoes UN resolution backed by many nations demanding immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza
The United States vetoed a United Nations resolution Friday backed by almost all other Security Council members and dozens of other nations demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza. Supporters called it a terrible day and warned of more civilian deaths and destruction as the war goes into its third month.
BLOGS + COLUMNISTS
Evan Ramstad
Ramstad: Minnesota's Paid Family Medical Leave law hits first speed bump
The paid leave program will cost more than lawmakers' minimal levels, an outside assessment found. That has restarted the debate over costs and benefits.
Evan Ramstad
Ramstad: Did Minn. leaders expand the source of $17B surplus? Time will tell.
Dziedzic, Hortman and Walz didn't just spend the surplus. They kept the source of it running.
More Stories
Hong Kong holds first council elections under new rules that shut out pro-democracy candidates
Residents went to the polls on Sunday in Hong Kong's first district council elections since an electoral overhaul was implemented under Beijing's guidance of ''patriots'' administering the city, effectively shutting out all pro-democracy candidates.
Democrat John Whitmire elected Houston mayor, defeating congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee
Houston elected Democratic state Sen. John Whitmire as its next mayor on Saturday night, elevating a Texas lawmaker who has represented the city for 50 years by giving him a victory over U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee in a runoff.
The NRA has a surprising defender in its free speech case before the Supreme Court: the ACLU
In a case of politics making strange bedfellows, the National Rifle Association will be represented by frequent nemesis the American Civil Liberties Union in an appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Peek inside Joe Biden's campaign fundraisers, where big money mingles with old jokes in swanky homes
If you're a Democrat with money to burn and friends in high places, you can spend thousands on tickets to a fundraiser with President Joe Biden. If not, keep reading to see what you're missing.
Biden launches a Hollywood fundraising blitz to tap into star power with strikes over
Here's a Hollywood ending that President Joe Biden wants to bring to life: An incumbent facing tough polling numbers and questions about his advanced age overcomes a brash opponent to win a second term at the White House.
Nikki Haley looks for a strong showing, not necessarily a win, in Iowa caucuses
For Nikki Haley, a win in Iowa doesn't necessarily mean a win in the state's Republican presidential caucuses.
Utah attorney general drops reelection bid amid scrutiny about his ties to a sexual assault suspect
Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes, who is facing scrutiny for his decadelong friendship with the embattled founder of an anti-child-trafficking organization, announced Friday that he will not seek reelection in 2024.
Indiana secretary of state appeals ruling for US Senate candidate seeking GOP nod
The Indiana secretary of state is appealing a ruling that a law stipulating voting requirements for a candidate's party affiliation is unconstitutional in a decision that lifted the hopes of a U.S. Senate hopeful who wants to run as a Republican.
Biden dings Trump on infrastructure, while he showcases $8.2B for 10 major rail projects
President Joe Biden went to Las Vegas on Friday to say he's "putting high-speed rail on the fast track,'' and he used the moment to blast Donald Trump — his predecessor and likely 2024 challenger — as a do-nothing politician.
Judge voids result of Louisiana sheriff's election decided by a single vote and orders a new runoff
A judge has voided the result of a Louisiana sheriff's election that was decided by a single vote and ordered a new runoff be held, saying there is evidence a handful of ballots were cast illegally.
