Recent content from Allison Kite
Minnesota legislators negotiating biggest pieces of $66 billion budget in private
Legislators kicked a Minnesota Star Tribune reporter out of Human Services working group meeting after initially allowing her in.
What did — and didn't — get done at the Minnesota Capitol this session
Lawmakers plan to come back for a short special session to take up some items they didn't get to before their deadline.
Former Minnesota Senate minority leader drops out of race for U.S. Senate
She would have faced Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and U.S. Rep. Angie Craig in battle for the DFL nomination for the U.S. Senate.
Four things to watch as Legislature races to pass budget
A short special session may be necessary, lawmakers acknowledge.
![The Minnesota State Capitol, where the Legislature convenes, from February 2024 in St. Paul. ] GLEN STUBBE • glen.stubbe@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/QNKTDISGABDX3DBLYI3GQYVZWY.JPG?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Minnesota pensions embraced investing in private equity, a big risk that's paid off
Like funds across the country, Minnesota increased its investments after the Great Recession. The $96 billion combined funds are invested on behalf of about 800,000 retirees, survivors and current state employees.
Minnesota's budget deal threatened over plans to undo health care for undocumented adults
Some DFL lawmakers in both the House and Senate are saying they won't vote for a bill that strips away immigrants' access to health care.
Revoking immigrant health care brings chaos to Walz's office: Takeaways from Minnesota budget deal
Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leaders struck a budget deal to fund state government and address a projected deficit.
At Minnesota Capitol, Democrats debate whether to moderate or hold firm on progressive policies
After bruising losses last year, some Democrats are seeking to unwind parts of the liberal policy blitz that won the party national attention. It's creating a rift with progressives as the clock runs out on the legislative session.
'I was just being emotional': Gus Walz addresses viral DNC moment
Gov. Tim Walz's son, Gus, sat down for an interview with "CBS Mornings."
Minnesota legislators enter final week of session without a budget deal. Here's where things stand.
Each day that passes without a deal brings the Legislature closer to needing a special session for the first time in four years.
Ethics panel deadlocks on Minnesota Senate president's alleged conflict of interest
The Senate Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct, which has two DFL and two GOP members, didn't move to investigate or dismiss the complaint.
As Minnesota AG fights Trump in court, he says executive branch 'belligerence' is growing
Minnesota has joined 16 lawsuits against the federal government in the first 100 days of President Donald Trump's second term.
Tracking AG Keith Ellison's suits against the Trump administration
We're watching every lawsuit Minnesota has joined, on everything from probationary worker firings to cuts for public health funding.
Gov. Walz excoriates Trump, offers olive branch to Minnesota Republicans in State of the State speech
Walz, mulling another term as governor, has left the door open to possible national bid.
Minnesota sues Trump administration over anti-trans executive orders
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday, takes aim at executive orders banning trans kids from sports and defining two sexes.
![The Minnesota Legislature returns to St. Paul Monday April 21, 2025, after break for a final month of work. ] GLEN STUBBE • glen.stubbe@startribune](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/QSOPSWSYIBH7PPVGXACZJ5JVAU.JPG?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Minnesota lawmakers hit sticking points in budget talks with weeks left in session
One House Democrat says the tie between the DFL and GOP "makes everything harder, slower, more time consuming."
Minnesota Senate president has blurred the line between his legislative and legal business for years
Sen. Bobby Joe Champion, who's an attorney, has pushed funding for organizations run by his past legal clients. He also represented a nonprofit that he had secured state funding for.
Former GOP Chair Jennifer Carnahan among those vying in special primary to replace Justin Eichorn
The winner of the GOP primary will move on to the April 29 special election against DFLer Denise Slipy for state Senate seat.
![DFL Sen. Bobby Joe Champion presided over the Senate after being sworn in as the first Black Senate President Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023 St. Paul, Minn. ]](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/JGGBPUFMEXD45SXXV4BLEGY4H4.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
GOP files ethics complaint against Minnesota Senate president over conflict of interest concerns
Sen. Bobby Joe Champion has been under scrutiny for seeking state funding for a nonprofit after representing its founder in court.
Minnesota Senate president sought funding for nonprofit run by legal client, and for former employer
Senate President Bobby Joe Champion temporarily stepped down as chair of an ethics subcommittee on Monday and asked the panel to determine whether there was a conflict.
Court of Appeals sends request to release police video of Sen. Nicole Mitchell's arrest back to district court
Mitchell has pleaded not guilty to two felony charges tied to an alleged break-in at her late father's house
Minnesota may extend unemployment funds for Iron Range steelworkers in time of tariffs
Cleveland-Cliffs announced layoffs affecting more than 600 last month.
Parents of two paralyzed athletes join call for MSHSL to increase insurance coverage
Proposed legislation would require the Minnesota State High School League to carry a $10 million insurance policy for athletes.
Minnesota communities hope bonding bill will help clean water, repair buildings and address other infrastructure needs
Requested projects for cities and state agencies totaling $7.6 billion could help to build labs, cut lead in pipes and more.
Former Minn. GOP Chair Jennifer Carnahan, others enter race to replace former Sen. Justin Eichorn
A crowded field of Republicans quickly emerged in the race to replace Eichorn, who resigned from the state Senate last week following his arrest in an underage prostitution sting.
Keith Ellison hosts Democratic attorneys general to hear Minnesotans' concerns over Trump changes
Hundreds gather in North St. Paul high school to share stories with AGs that have repeatedly sued to stop president's executive orders.
GOP state Sen. Justin Eichorn resigns, makes first court appearance on underage prostitution charge
Upon his resignation from the Senate, Eichorn was also removed from his role as chair of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board.
Ellison sues Trump administration for holding up green project funds
Keith Ellison says he's "opposing yet one more illegal power grab by the Trump administration."
Minnesota Senate GOP will move to expel Sen. Justin Eichorn after underage prostitution arrest
A growing group of lawmakers called for Eichorn's resignation on Wednesday and said they'll try to vote to expel him if he doesn't step aside voluntarily.
Minnesota lawmakers take first votes with GOP-DFL tie in the House
Democratic Rep. David Gottfried was sworn in at the start of Monday's House session.
The NCAA basketball tournaments begin this week. Why can't Minnesotans bet on March Madness?
The U.S. Supreme Court opened the door to sports betting in 2018.
Besides Prince and Bob Dylan, what other state songs should Minnesota consider?
Lawmakers are proposing "Purple Rain" and "Girl from the North Country" to join "Hail! Minnesota." We auditioned some additional choices.
Minnesota AG joins lawsuit to block 'dismantling' of federal Department of Education
The U.S. Department of Education plans to lay off about 1,300 workers.
Prince's sister backs bill naming 'Purple Rain' as a Minnesota state song
Legislation before the Minnesota Senate also designates Bob Dylan's "Girl from the North Country" as an official state song
Minnesota Senate bill targets websites where users create 'deepfake' porn videos
Sen. Erin Maye Quade wants websites to stop allowing users to upload photos and 'nudify' them.
