Drama over MN GOP leadership likely to conclude tonight

Good afternoon,

Minnesota’s GOP is apparently heading for an endgame in an ongoing leadership crisis, sparked after the indictment of a Republican donor and activist on sex trafficking charges.

Party leaders are meeting tonight, to talk about party chair Jennifer Carnahan. The party's most recent executive director said he believed Carnahan knew of the nature of the allegations against the donor before his arrest, and had expressed reservations about the donor's personal behavior.

An attorney for Carnahan says she did nothing wrong, but multiple party leaders, including members of the state committee, have said they will nonetheless seek to oust her.

This year's Minnesota State Fair is likely going to be significantly altered by COVID-19.

A number of state agencies, including the Department of Education and Department of Health, will not have presences at the fair – along with a number of other smaller agencies.

MPR also indicated today it has no plans this year to broadcast news or music programming from its booth on Judson Avenue, for the first time in memory — although the booth will be open and staffed and some live stage shows are still being planned for MPR Day on Sept. 3 at Dan Patch Park.