The KSTP story with Mayor Hodges doing stylish finger pointing has created a real buzz. But for me the underlying issues of this episode that the public or media are not asking about or may not understand need to be explored. Where did the picture come from? Was it a part of a law enforcement agency or agencies social media monitoring and surveillance activities that the picture was discovered? Or more of a direct question: Is it relevant to and interest of the public to know if an agency is engaging in cyber stalking of people, data collected for unknown purposes and then share with others? Continue Reading
I am not sure if it is bad math or bad journalism, but contrary to popular accounts, it is highly unlikely that 450,000 voters in Minnesota split their votes between Dayton or Franken at the top of the ticket and a Republican legislator further down the ballot. Continue Reading
Last session, Minnesota passed one of the most restrictive restrictive medical cannabis laws in the country, with medical marijuana advocates and some lawmakers vowing to revisit the issue. Continue Reading
House DFL members on Thursday elected outgoing speaker Paul Thissen (DFL-Mpls.) to continue leading the caucus when it assumes the minority in the House early next year.
Statewide races went Democrats’ way in Minnesota with Senator Al Franken and Governor Mark Dayton easily beating their Republican opponents. Democrats also won the only statewide race without an incumbent as Steve Simon was elected Secretary of State. All statewide races – Governor, Attorney General, Auditor, Secretary of State – were won by Democrats.In Congressional races Rep. Rick Nolan turned back a strong challenge from Republican Stewart Mills to win Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District. Republican Tom Emmer will take retiring Rep. Michele Bachmann’s seat in congress as he easily defeated Democrat Joe Perske. Republicans were hoping they could finally defeat Rep. Collin Peterson in Minnesota’s 7th district, but Peterson won easily again.Republicans took control of Minnesota’s House winning key races in suburban and rural areas. Continue Reading
One-party rule at the State Capitol is out after Republicans recaptured control of the House of Representatives during Tuesday’s elections.Two years after being swept from legislative power by a wave of DFL victories, Republicans picked up wins in a handful of key races to hold a 72-62 edge in the House.The DFL will retain control of the governorship, with Gov. Mark Dayton winning re-election. The Senate, under DFL control, did not stand for election. The Legislature is scheduled to convene Jan. 6, 2015.The District 48A race between Rep. Yvonne Selcer (DFL-Minnetonka) and former Republican House member Kirk Stensrud was decided by 36 votes in favor of Selcer. Stensrud could request a recount.State Canvassing Board members are scheduled to meet Nov. Continue Reading
Siad Ali, running unopposed in the East District clinched a spot in the Minneapolis School Board election on Tuesday. 10,018 people (96%) cast their vote for Mr. Ali to send him to the school board. His victory was the only good news for African immigrant candidates as they fell short in various races in Minnesota in their quest to fill school boards, state representative offices and a bid for mayor in the state’s most diverse city.A record five African immigrants were on the ballot Tuesday in Minnesota races.Brooklyn Center MayorMike Elliott, 31, a Liberian immigrant who came to America at age 11 was defeated by incumbent Tim Willson in his quest to become mayor of Minnesota’s most diverse city which neighbors Minneapolis to the west. Elliott received 3,330 (48.58%) votes to Willson’s 3,475 (50.70%).More than half of the city’s population is non-white with a quarter of them born outside the United States, a good number of them being from Africa.Mr. Elliott’s defeat by less than 150 votes brought back memories of a similar election in neighboring Brooklyn Park where Wynfred Russell, another Liberian immigrant, was defeated by a mere five votes. Brooklyn Park’s population is also majority non-white with the entire elected City Council being white.This article is reposted from TCDP media partner Mshale. Continue Reading
Last week while driving home from work on Interstate 35E, I noticed the progress of the new Vikings Stadium. Well at least the massive piles of steel that it will be built from. As reported by Craig Peters in his article, “New Vikings Stadium Nearly a Quarter Complete through Symphony of Work”, the new Vikings stadium is ahead of schedule and was 23 percent complete at the end of September. I am excited to know the stadium is set to open in July 2016.This is a Community Voices submission and is moderated but not edited. The opinions expressed by Community Voices contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the TC Daily Planet.Controversy about whether or not there should be a new stadium, where it should be and who will pay has faded. Continue Reading
It is apparent that Twin Cities residents have taken into account the recent temperature change. It was only two weeks ago when high temperatures were in the 60s, and now with the arrival of Halloween we are witnessing temperatures in the 30s. We wait anxiously for the first snow to fall, which past history warns us can be any minute now. There are those who don’t mind the snow, but that is hard to say about the cold. Although, Minnesotans are accustom to it, we still prepare. Continue Reading
