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Campaign urges Minnesota Latinos to vote
A new campaign aims to boost turnout among Minnesota’s Latino voters, a fast-growing population with increasing political power. Volunteers with COPAL, a group that organizes Latinos to work on Minnesota labor and political issues, hope to complete 100,000 phone calls to potential voters by Election Day. The campaign will provide voters information materials and answer questions […]
Results in key Minnesota House and Senate races
Even as Minnesotans focus on the national election that will feature Gov. Tim Walz, a handful of legislative races will determine control of state government and the big decisions coming out of the state Capitol next year: From taxes to education funding, sports betting to housing. (See the Reformer’s story on the big races to […]
Farmfest tests candidates’ agriculture bonafides
MORGAN — At the big agriculture trade show here known as Farmfest, members of Congress have a key factor working in their favor as they sit next to their challengers: years of firsthand experience working on federal farm policy, which can be technical and wonky. While some challengers appeared flustered or gave vague responses when […]
Minnesota’s congressional delegation reacts to Walz VP news at Farmfest
Farmfest is typically a critical campaign stop for Minnesota politicians attempting to garner support among rural voters, and the first day Tuesday coincided with Gov. Tim Walz’s selection as the vice presidential candidate on the Democratic ticket. A handful of audience members booed when Democratic U.S. Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota’s 2nd District was asked […]
Cancelan la única misa en español que ofrecen en St. Cloud. La congregación se resiste.
Read the English version of this article: “The only Spanish-language Mass in St. Cloud got canceled. The congregation is fighting back.“ El único lugar en los Estados Unidos donde Eylin Sosa se sentía como en su casa era en la Iglesia Católica St. Joseph en Waite Park. Cada domingo, Sosa caminaba desde su casa hasta […]
The only Spanish-language Mass in St. Cloud got canceled. The congregation is fighting back.
Leer in español: “Cancelan la única misa en español que ofrecen en St. Cloud. La congregación se resiste.“ The one place Eylin Sosa felt at home in the U.S. was at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Waite Park. Every Sunday, she walked to St. Joseph’s from her home for the Spanish Mass. There, she worshiped […]
Is burning wood or trash ‘carbon free’? The utilities want you to think so
A Minnesota law passed in 2023 directed the state’s utilities to generate all of their electricity from “carbon free” sources by 2040 — an aggressive goal meant to make Minnesota a leader in climate adaptation. Now, regulators are grappling with how to implement the plan approved by DFL lawmakers and signed by Gov. Tim Walz while […]
With no DFL endorsement, race to replace longtime DFL rep from Winona is wide open
Editor’s note: The Reformer is covering the 15 or so races that will determine control of the Minnesota Legislature. For a primer on the battleground races, including loads of easy-to-read data on the districts, read our first story in the series. WINONA — Two Democrats and a Republican are vying to replace one of Minnesota’s longest-serving […]
What to know about Minnesota’s new down payment assistance programs
New state programs launched this week will help more Minnesotans buy homes, cementing Minnesota as one of the states with the most down payment assistance for prospective homebuyers. Applications opened up Monday for a pair of programs for first-generation homebuyers. Together, the programs are offering $150 million in forgivable loans to first-time homebuyers who earn […]
Minnesota water bottle plant receiving millions in subsidies
A new Niagara Bottling plant in the Twin Cities metro is receiving millions of dollars in state and local subsidies to bottle and sell Minnesota water. A deal reached between the company, the state Department of Employment and Economic Development and the city of Elko New Market will give Niagara Bottling more than $4.3 million […]
Feds join push for zoning reform
An ambitious plan to change Minnesota zoning rules to allow more housing construction statewide failed last legislative session despite a broad, bipartisan coalition of support. That coalition now has a new member: the federal government. A top U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development official visited St. Paul on Thursday to highlight a $4 million […]
Treasury Secretary promotes Biden housing, economic development policies in Minnesota visit
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen touted investments in affordable housing and community development on a visit to Minnesota this week, promoting the policies of President Joe Biden as he campaigns for reelection. Yellen, the former chair of the Federal Reserve and the nation’s first woman secretary of the Treasury, visited the Neighborhood Development Center in […]