17 debates that could determine Minnesota’s future

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Could a handful of debates really determine Minnesota’s future?Consider this: Minnesota’s legislature has changed hands twice in the last four years on what amounts to a few votes per precinct. Elections for U.S. Senate and Governor both triggered recounts because they were so close. One Minnesota congressional district has flipped from one party to another the last three elections.In a campaign, there is nothing bigger than a face-to-face debate between the candidates. This election season, The UpTake will bring you coverage of 17 of those debates that could determine who wins the election and ultimately determines Minnesota’s future.A single debate for Minnesota’s most spendy congressional raceIt used to be automatic. As sure as it would snow every winter, Minnesota’s Iron Range would elect a Democrat to congress. Continue Reading

Debate double-header: Sen. Al Franken vs. Mike McFadden, Gov. Mark Dayton vs. challengers Jeff Johnson and Hannah Nicollet

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UPDATE, 10/2/14: Scroll down to watch replays of the Franken-McFadden debate and the Minnesota gubernatorial debate.Sen. Al Franken has been all business and few laughs during his first term in Washington. However, Republican challenger Mike McFadden has been going for the laughs with his campaign commercials showing him taking a punch in the lower extremities from a youth football player.The two never had much of a chance to mix it up in their pre-primary debate at Farmfest because other Republican challengers were also on stage. The UpTake was the only media organization to provide live video coverage of the Farmfest debate that included several other Republican challengers. So their 8 a.m. Oct. 1 debate in Duluth is the first one-on-one meeting between the two. Continue Reading

Lester Bagley says Vikings are “obligated” to promote Redskins

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Minnesota Vikings Executive Vice President Lester Bagley says the team is in a “difficult position”. There is pressure on the team and other NFL teams to not use the Washington Redskins name when promoting the game because the name is racist. Bagley says the Vikings are “obligated” to promote the Redskins, but is going to provide opportunities the week of the game for opponents of the name to be heard.

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Minnesota GOP gubernatorial candidates double up on debates as primary nears

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With less than two weeks remaining before the primary, Republican candidates for Minnesota governor are doubling up on debates. Wednesday was a “doubleheader” for the candidates with a noon debate at Minnesota Public Radio and an evening debate at a conservative talk radio station. The UpTake was at both locations and has complete video of the debates.

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How will the Supreme Court ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act affect Minnesota’s same-sex couples?

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The United States Supreme Court released two important rulings on same-sex marriage this morning. It struck down the federal “Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)” that prevents the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages. It also essentially struck down California’s “Proposition 8,” a voter referendum that revoked the freedom of same-sex couples to marry in that state. The Supreme Court ruling makes same-sex marriage legal again in California.Interviewed days before today’s ruling, a leader of one of the groups that successfully lobbied for same-sex marriage in Minnesota says the ruling could have a large impact on same-sex couples in the state. Project 515 Executive Director Ann Kaner-Roth says there are 1138 federal laws relating to marriage and if the court were to rule DOMA unconstitutional, the rights and benefits from those federal laws would be available to same-sex couples in Minnesota.Kaner-Roth says the ruling could have an impact on immigration cases where a same-sex spouse is from another country. Continue Reading

Multiparty coalition backing Minnesota same-sex marriage

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With less than six weeks left in Minnesota’s legislative session, supporters of same-sex marriage are forming a coalition to make such marriages legal in the state. On Wednesday, Ken Martin, the chair of Minnesota’s Democratic Farmer Labor Party, joined Independence Party Executive Committee member Matt Lewis, Former Green Party Chair Cam Gordon and Libertarian Party Chair Bob Odden to call on lawmakers to bring the issue to a vote in the House and the Senate.

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Gov. Dayton calls for same-sex marriage freedom in Minnesota

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Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton previously had said he would sign into law a bill making same-sex marriage legal in Minnesota. But on Wednesday night, during his annual “State of the State” address, he went a step further, forcefully arguing that all people should have the right to marry a partner of their choosing, and urging the Minnesota Legislature to enact a same-sex marriage law.

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Obama takes anti-gun violence campaign on the road, including Minneapolis stop

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In his first road trip to promote his plan to fight gun violence, President Obama visits Minneapolis the recent site of a mass shooting. In September, a man shot and killed six people at the Minneapolis business he worked at before taking his own life. The president talked about the steps Minneapolis has taken to reduce gun violence and to foster a conversation in the community about what further action is needed. Above: Video of President Obama’s speech; Below: Nick Coleman’s article on the event and video of Minneapolis Police Chief Janeé Harteau introducing President Obama

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