Recent content from Rochelle Olson
Walz: 'I'm not done fighting for Minnesota'
As he shifts back to his job leading Minnesota, Gov. Tim Walz didn't give any indication during a speech on Friday of whether he'll seek re-election in 2026, or run for another office.
Takeaways from the 2024 election in Minnesota
Strong turnout, congressional incumbents win big, justices and judges hold their seats, Klobuchar outperforms the top of the ticket, Carnahan returns.
Ann Johnson Stewart wins special election, giving DFL control of Minnesota Senate
Western Twin Cities suburban candidates Johnson Stewart and Republican Kathleen Fowke were the only Senate candidates on the ballot.
Harris-Walz secure Minnesota's electoral votes as Trump is elected for a second time
Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump top the ticket in a tight race for the state's 10 electoral votes.
Minnesota judges and justices can't campaign much, rely on voters to do research
The back of voters' ballots shows a long list of judges and justices up for election.
U.S. Senate debate: Klobuchar criticizes White for saying 'the bad guys won in World War II'
Klobuchar, seeking a fourth term, portrays herself as a pragmatist; Republican challenger Royce White says he threatens the status quo and decries the "permanent political class."
Gov. Walz votes early in St. Paul with First Lady Gwen Walz and first-time voter Gus
Minnesota's governor said he voted for his running mate and presidential candidate Kamala Harris, as well as U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, but not for the St. Paul child care referendum.
Walz talks assault rifles, running and beef jerky in national media blitz
Minnesota's governor and vice presidential candidate appeared late Monday with Jon Stewart on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show."
Minnesota Senate's single seat race will determine balance for next two years
The special election Nov. 5 will determine whether the GOP flips control of the state Senate or the DFL stays in charge.
Hot Dish 10.11.24
Minneapolis looking for new revenue sources as downtown property values dwindle
Hot Dish 10.10.24
Secretary of State Simon wants Minnesotans to get back to the top spot
'America's sweetheart' Walz makes late-night debut on 'Kimmel'
The Minnesota governor and his running mate, Kamala Harris, also appeared in recorded '60 Minutes' segments on Monday night.
Hot Dish 10.4.24
Dockworkers end strike, Ellison reaches deal with dairy on worker conditions
Tim Walz says his son witnessed shooting in 2023 at St. Paul rec center
During Tuesday night's VP debate, Gov. Tim Walz said his son, Gus Walz, was in the Jimmy Lee Recreation Center in St. Paul when a shooting occurred outside.
Gov. Tim Walz delivers sharp contrast in vice presidential debate against JD Vance
Democratic Gov. Tim Walz held up Minnesota as an example to follow during his first and only debate with Republican Sen. JD Vance of Ohio.
Walz's tightly structured appearances provide message control for presidential ticket
Tuesday's vice presidential debate offers a direct, unscripted look at the Democratic vice presidential candidate in action.
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon's office evacuated after arrival of mysterious package
The return address on package was "United States Traitor Elimination Army." Simon issued a statement saying threatening election officials is unacceptable.
Hot Dish 9.27.24
Emmer mocks Walz's appearance in Fox interview in advance of VP debate
Late Sen. Paul Wellstone's green campaign bus is pulled out of the woods
The bus had been parked on a farm for years. Now the late senator's son, Dave Wellstone, has big plans for the rolling artifact from his father's statewide campaigns.
Minnesota Poll: Harris leads Trump in close presidential race
Likely voters split evenly on the two candidates' favorability although women and nonwhite voters prefer Harris while men and rural voters lean toward Trump.
Hot Dish 9.20.24
Minnesotans can begin voting Friday for the November election
Hot Dish 9.19.24
Sen. Smith, AOC tout affordable housing plan as shutdown looms again
Walz Force One: A day in the life of the national traveling press corps
As Minnesota's new vice presidential candidate took his first solo campaign trip to the swing state of Pennsylvania, the media entourage searched for bathrooms, breaks and access.
Hot Dish 9.13.24
Scout, Honey and Drifter
Walz makes first official appearance in Minnesota since joining presidential ticket
The Minnesota governor spoke for two minutes and packed meals for food shelves.
Olympic gold medalist Regan Smith brings the precious metal home to Minnesota
The two-time Olympic swimmer reminisced and gave students advice at her alma mater, Lakeville North High School.
Hot Dish 9.6.24
Check out the four hottest U.S. House races in Minnesota
Erie Ending: Walz completes two-day solo vice presidential campaign swing in Pennsylvania
The Minnesota governor and Kamala Harris' running mate hit three of four corners of the swing state with multiple stops.
Walz flies solo in southern Pennsylvania, stopping at volunteer campaign office, orchard and farm
Governor chatted up volunteers, bottlefed a Guernsey calf, ate ice cream
Live updates: Walz campaigns in eastern Pennsylvania on Wednesday for his first solo trip
The Minnesota governor and vice presidential candidate is making his first campaign swing through the crucial state since joining the national ticket.
Walz flies to Pennsylvania Wednesday on his first solo excursion for Harris ticket
The Minnesota governor and vice presidential candidate is expected to be in the Keystone State for 36 hours.
Hot Dish 8.30.24
Majority makers: Minnesota House seats that will determine control for 2025
Sen. Nicole Mitchell pleads not guilty; prosecution agrees she didn't steal laptop in alleged burglary
The Minnesota Democrat was arrested in her late father's home in April and charged with first-degree burglary.
Hot Dish 8.23.24
Back to Minnesota for the sprint to November
Minnesota Lt. Gov. Flanagan watches as her friend ascends the national stage
The White Earth Band member also raised her own profile in Chicago during the Democratic National Convention, showcasing Indigenous designers as she co-chaired the four-day event.
At the end of the DNC, Minnesotan delegates thrilled with the ticket
Excitement about the Harris-Walz ticket abounds even after four long convention days, but some "uncommitted" delegates are disappointed the convention ignored their calls to address Palestinian issues.
Gov. Tim Walz steps onto national stage as VP nominee in Chicago
Minnesota's governor defined himself and fired up the party for the next campaign sprint during his prime speaking slot on the penultimate night of the Democratic National Convention.
Walz joins Kamala Harris for 'Freedom Rally' at Milwaukee site of RNC
The Minnesota governor opened for the vice president with a rousing speech in the swing state of Wisconsin amid the ceremonial roll call happening at the Democratic Convention in Chicago.
Minnesota DNC delegates at the center of excitement over Walz and Flanagan
With Minnesota's governor on the national ticket and the lieutenant governor gaveling in the national convention each night, delegates are feeling state political pride.
Minnesota's lieutenant governor named one of four Democratic National Convention chairs in Chicago
Peggy Flanagan joins Sen. Cory Booker, former Gov. Landrieu and U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar of Texas
Minnesota delegates roll into Chicago excited by state and Walz's starring role at DNC
The governor's role on the national ticket sends partisan enthusiasm into the stratosphere.
How 6 Minnesota Democrats feel about the presidential race ahead of the DNC
Democrats who participated in a Star Tribune voter panel are "rejuvenated" and "cautiously hopeful" about the presidential ticket of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. Their top issues range from the fate of democracy to reproductive rights, gun safety and Gaza.
Walz responds to Vance's questioning of his military record, says no veteran should be condemned
The Minnesota governor and Democratic vice presidential candidate also thanked his Republican rival for his service and sacrifice.
Fact check: Walz retired from Army National Guard after 24 years to run for Congress
GOP vice presidential candidate JD Vance claims that the Minnesota governor and Democratic vice presidential candidate bailed as his unit headed to Iraq, but Walz retired before his unit was called up.
Hot Dish 8.9.24
Republicans undaunted by the Harris-Walz ticket
Peggy Flanagan could be Minnesota's first female governor, country's first Native female governor
Lieutenant governor would take over in Minnesota if Gov. Tim Walz is elected on the national ticket with Kamala Harris.
Minnesota Supreme Court upholds law restoring voting rights to felons
In an opinion written by Chief Justice Natalie Hudson, the court rejected a challenge to the 2023 law by the Minnesota Voters Alliance.
Minneapolis riots, Feeding Our Future fraud lead list of vulnerabilities for Walz on national ticket
Republicans also say Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz failed to bridge partisan divide.
Dog parks, Diet Dew and car sickness: A collection of tidbits about Gov. Tim Walz
Here are some offbeat and significant details about the Minnesota DFL governor — Kamala Harris' newly minted VP pick — from those who see him often.
How Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz became an unexpected contender for vice president
The governor's sudden ascent has surprised some, but those who know him well say his personal and political resume have positioned him for this moment.
Hot Dish 8.2.24
Carter, Mondale ... Walz?
St. Paul council president calls Pa. governor a 'hardcore Zionist,' says Kamala Harris shouldn't pick him
Critics viewed the attack on Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who's Jewish, as antisemitic.
Donald Trump, JD Vance go after Harris for capacity crowd at first joint rally in Minnesota
More than 8,000 supporters packed the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center; hundreds more didn't get in.
Justice Sarah Hennesy formally sworn in as the newest member of the Minnesota Supreme Court
The former Stearns County district judge is Gov. Tim Walz's third appointee to the high court, with another coming next week.
Minnesota delegates, voters shift concerns about Israel, Gaza from Joe Biden to Kamala Harris
Minnesota delegates to the upcoming Democratic National Convention say they are hoping to hear Harris call for a cease-fire and aid embargo on Israel.
Minn. Supreme Court upholds conviction of shooter in 2021 road rage death
The Jamal Smith ruling also props open the door to future consideration of jury diversity concerns.
Trump, Vance will make first joint Minnesota appearance Saturday night in St. Cloud
Former president, Ohio senator plan evening rally at hockey arena.
Regan Smith's rivalry with Australian swimming star peaks at Paris Olympics
Lakeville's Regan Smith and Australia's Kaylee McKeown have dominated the backstroke events in swimming in recent years. Who will come out on top during the Paris Games?
Purple reign: Being a legislator in a swing district means frequent voter contact
First-term Sen. Heather Gustafson says she door-knocks nonstop in her northeast suburban district.
Hot Dish 7.12.24
Plus: Legislative Auditor calls out Walz administration's "shoot-the-messenger" approach to fraud concerns.
Hot Dish 7.12.24
Legislative Auditor calls out Walz administration's "shoot-the-messenger" approach to fraud concerns
She wrote about Taylor Swift and Don Lemon. Her 'Long Island Compromise' could be the book of summer
FICTION: A New York family endures more than its share of trials in Taffy Brodesser-Akner's satiric successor to "Fleishman Is in Trouble."
Sen. Nicole Mitchell's court hearing pushed back as she challenges arrest on burglary charge
Her defense attorneys seek medical records from Mitchell's stepmother.
Hot Dish 6.28.24
Reviews: Disappointing, devasting, historically bad debate performance
Becker County judge denies request to release footage of Sen. Mitchell's arrest
Conservative website Alpha News asked for early release of police bodycam video of her April arrest.
Minnesota horse track owners upset about appointment of tribal leaders to Racing Commission
Walz says Melanie Benjamin and Johnny Johnson are professionals who can handle the work.
Minnesota Gov. Walz says flood response will be swift
The governor spoke from the state's emergency management operations center amid historic flooding with more rain on the way this week.
Hot Dish 6.21.24
Walz heads north to survey the rising waters
Former Minnesota corrections employee says he was fired after exposing punishment scheme
Whistleblower lawsuit alleges retaliation because he stood up for inmate rehabilitation over profits.
Bipartisan group takes credit for spiking sports betting in 2024 Minnesota Legislature
State senators say they were prepared to filibuster on final night to stop the bill, and will come back stronger next year.
Hot Dish 6.14.24
Trump trashes Milwaukee ahead of GOP Convention?
Sen. Mitchell's lawyer: Felony burglary charge won't be resolved for months
Minnesota Senate ethics panel set new hearing for July 25
Publisher Steve Grove maintained occasional contact with Walz chief of staff, former colleague
Ethics professor says texts are problematic for the Star Tribune CEO.
Federal Elections complaint alleges Royce White isn't reporting spending in Minnesota Senate race
The GOP-endorsed candidate seeks to unseat DFL U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar.
Hot Dish 06.07.24
Les Croix Blanches, L'Heure Bleue and a French Foray
