Welcome to a hot-and-sticky Wednesday.
Explosive testimony yesterday to the congressional committee looking at the origins of the Jan. 6 insurrection. Cassidy Hutchinson told the select committee of then-President Donald Trump’s reaction to the violent march on the Capitol by his supporters and says the president was upset that he could not go himself. The sworn testimony by an aide to Trump’s chief of staff that he didn’t care if those in Washington to try to block the election certification came armed.
Last week’s abortion ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court is producing one of the first big clashes in the race for Minnesota governor. MPR’s Tim Pugmire reports that Democratic incumbent TIm Walz accused Republican rival Scott Jensen of having an extreme position on abortion, noting his prior statement saying he’d back a ban. “Abortion is legal in Minnesota, but that could change in November,” Walz said at a press conference. Jensen, a doctor, leveled his own criticism at Walz: “I think Governor Walz is extreme if he thinks that it’s okay to do an abortion in the 39th week of gestation.” Walz flatly denied the allegation. “Not one time have I ever said that.” The procedure remains legally protected in Minnesota, but expect that it will remain a dominant campaign theme. The new federal infrastructure law earmarks a considerable amount of money for upgrades on tribal land. But some in Minnesota’s American Indian bands have concerns about how it will be divided and whether they’ll have flexibility to put dollars where they most need them. Sen. Tina Smith convened a hearing Tuesday in Prior Lake attended by leaders of eight of 11 tribal governments. They had a chance to press federal agency officials about how the distribution process will work.
As many as 600 Minnesota National Guard members could face repercussions – up to removal – for not being vaccinated by a military-imposed deadline, which falls on Thursday. KSTP’s Tom Hauser reports that it’s less than 5 percent of the Guard and some have sought waivers from the policy.
The Department of Employment and Economic Development has set up a new office of engagement to better serve people from disadvantaged backgrounds. The still-tiny unit will focus on making connections in the community. As its director said at an event Tuesday that it won’t have a big physical presence at the agency because “you don’t want to have an office that is too nice because you want to be out and about.”
The daily COVID-19 status reports are going away. After more than two years of churning them, the Minnesota Department of Health is moving to a weekly schedule. The Pioneer Press reports that state health officials say they’ll still be able to convey virus trends.
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