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Representative Pete Stauber Criticizes Cancellation of Twin Metals Mineral Lease, Citing Economic Impact

Representative Pete Stauber Criticizes Cancellation of Twin Metals Mineral Lease, Citing Economic Impact

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has canceled one of the mineral leases held by Twin Metals Minnesota, a decision that U.S. Representative Pete Stauber (R-MN) has publicly criticized. The lease, located near Babbitt, was terminated after nearly a year of review, with the DNR stating that Twin Metals had not met the performance and production requirements. This cancellation follows an executive action by Governor Tim Walz last month, which halted Twin Metals' efforts to establish a copper-nickel mine in the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed due to concerns about potential pollution to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Representative Stauber, who represents northeastern Minnesota and supports the region's mining industries, called the DNR's decision "another blow to Northern Minnesota," arguing it disregards union jobs and significant funding for Minnesota's school districts. The canceled lease is set to officially end on November 10.

Rep. Michelle Fischbach Appoints New Legislative Assistant for Agriculture Issues

Rep. Michelle Fischbach Appoints New Legislative Assistant for Agriculture Issues

Rep. Michelle Fischbach, R-Minn., has announced the appointment of Jack Long as a legislative assistant. Long will be primarily responsible for handling agriculture-related issues within her office. This staffing change is part of broader personnel movements across various agricultural and governmental organizations. For instance, the Rural Investment to Protect our Environment recently named Minnesota farmer Alana Petersen as its new president, and the American Veterinary Medical Association hired Paul Gage to direct its federal government relations division. Additionally, Bryce McWilliams joined the office of Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., as a legislative assistant also focusing on agriculture. These appointments reflect ongoing adjustments in staffing and leadership within the agricultural sector and its representation in Congress.

Republican Senate Candidate Michele Tafoya Criticizes Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan on State Issues

Republican Senate Candidate Michele Tafoya Criticizes Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan on State Issues

During an interview on the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, Republican Senate candidate Michele Tafoya discussed her campaign for Minnesota’s open Senate seat, asserting its increasing competitiveness. Tafoya directly linked her opponent, Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, to Governor Tim Walz’s administration, holding her accountable for various state controversies. These include alleged fraud investigations, a decline in public education performance, rising crime rates, increased government spending, and broader economic challenges. Tafoya framed the upcoming election as a choice between 'common-sense governance' and 'progressive policies,' claiming growing support from independent voters and disaffected Democrats. The discussion also touched upon cultural issues such as women's sports and transgender athlete policies, which Tafoya believes are significant motivators for voters, particularly parents concerned about fairness and safety in athletics. Economic concerns, including inflation, cost...

Minnesota Attorney General Leads Bipartisan Opposition to Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, Citing Cryptocurrency Fraud Concerns

Minnesota Attorney General Leads Bipartisan Opposition to Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, Citing Cryptocurrency Fraud Concerns

Minnesota Attorney General Ellison, alongside a bipartisan coalition of 16 attorneys general, has formally opposed the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act (Clarity Act). In a letter addressed to Senators Tim Scott and Elizabeth Warren, Chair and Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, the coalition expressed concerns that the proposed legislation would undermine states' abilities to protect investors from widespread cryptocurrency fraud and scams. The attorneys general argue that the Clarity Act, as currently drafted, would strip states of their crucial role as the primary defense against the growing cryptocurrency fraud epidemic. Since 2017, state enforcement actions have resulted in over 330 anti-fraud measures against scammers in the crypto ecosystem, leading to the shutdown of fraudulent schemes and securing justice for victims. The letter highlights that cryptocurrency transactions are often immediate, irreversible, and difficult to trace, making them an ideal ...

Representative Pete Stauber Criticized for Inviting Controversial Figures to President Trump's State of the Union Address

Representative Pete Stauber Criticized for Inviting Controversial Figures to President Trump's State of the Union Address

U.S. Representative Pete Stauber (R-MN) has drawn criticism for inviting YouTuber Nick Shirley and David Hoch to President Trump's State of the Union Address. Shirley, a conservative content creator, and Hoch gained viral attention in late December 2025 for a video they produced concerning alleged daycare fraud in Minnesota. This action by Representative Stauber is seen by some as leaning into "culture war" issues. Stauber, who is seeking a fifth term representing northeastern Minnesota, has been a vocal proponent of mining industries in his district and has previously criticized Biden-era decisions to halt mining in the Boundary Waters, arguing it increases reliance on China for critical minerals. His challenger, Trina Swanson (D), has not generated significant buzz in her campaign, but the issue of mining in the Boundary Waters remains a polarizing topic in the district.

Republican Candidate Lisa Demuth Calls for Firings Over Minnesota Fraud Response, Criticizes Walz and Klobuchar

Republican Candidate Lisa Demuth Calls for Firings Over Minnesota Fraud Response, Criticizes Walz and Klobuchar

Republican gubernatorial candidate and Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth has called for the firing of two state agency leaders, Assistant Education Commissioner Daron Korte and Department of Children, Youth and Families Deputy Commissioner Leah Montgomery, in response to a Minnesota Star Tribune report on the Walz administration's handling of widespread fraud. Demuth alleges Korte failed to adequately address the 'Feeding Our Future' fraud cases and that Montgomery dismissed state government fraud as a 'Republican talking point.' Demuth also criticized Democratic U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar for her perceived silence and inaction on the fraud issue. Governor Tim Walz's office stated that new processes have been established to coordinate between agencies and proposed legislation to combat fraud, acknowledging that with hindsight, some things would have been done differently. Senator Klobuchar responded by outlining her plan to launch a top-to-bottom audit of state government, replace outdated technology, an...

Summit Brewing Faces Foreclosure Amidst Craft Brewing Industry Challenges

Summit Brewing Faces Foreclosure Amidst Craft Brewing Industry Challenges

Summit Brewing Faces Foreclosure Amidst Craft Brewing Industry Challenges

Midwest Offers Extensive Long-Distance Hiking Trails for Diverse Experiences

Midwest Offers Extensive Long-Distance Hiking Trails for Diverse Experiences

The Midwest region of the United States is home to several extensive long-distance hiking trails, catering to a variety of preferences from rugged wilderness to more accessible routes. The Superior Hiking Trail in Minnesota stretches 300 miles along Lake Superior, offering a challenging experience through boreal forests, rocky ridges, and river valleys. The Ozark Trail, a 230-mile thru-trail in Missouri, provides a scenic journey through forests, rocky glades, and spring-fed streams, with options for shorter section hikes. Wisconsin's Ice Age Trail, one of 11 National Scenic Trails, spans 1,000 miles, tracing the edge of the last continental glacier through diverse landscapes. This trail features a relatively easy elevation profile, though it includes rocky terrain and remote stretches. Additionally, nearly 500 miles of the Ice Age Trail utilize connecting roads, which can be advantageous for new thru-hikers seeking resupply opportunities. The North Country Trail, the country's longest National Scenic Trai...

Michele Tafoya Challenges Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan in Increasingly Competitive Senate Race

Michele Tafoya Challenges Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan in Increasingly Competitive Senate Race

Former NFL broadcaster and Republican Senate candidate Michele Tafoya is intensifying her campaign for Minnesota’s open Senate seat, asserting that the race is becoming significantly more competitive. Tafoya is directly challenging Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, portraying her as deeply aligned with Governor Tim Walz’s administration. According to Tafoya, the current state leadership is responsible for a rise in public concerns regarding fraud, a decline in educational standards, increased crime rates, excessive government spending, and various economic difficulties. Tafoya's campaign strategy frames the upcoming election as a clear choice between what she terms 'common-sense governance' and 'progressive policies.' She claims to be garnering increasing support from independent voters and disaffected Democrats, indicating a potential shift in the political landscape of Minnesota.

U.S. Appeals Court Revives Dr. Scott Jensen's Free Speech Lawsuit Against Minnesota Medical Board

U.S. Appeals Court Revives Dr. Scott Jensen's Free Speech Lawsuit Against Minnesota Medical Board

A U.S. Court of Appeals has revived a lawsuit filed by Dr. Scott Jensen against the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice. Jensen, a Republican candidate for state auditor, alleges that the board targeted him with investigations over his views on COVID-19, leading him to self-censor his campaign messaging. The lawsuit, which had been previously dismissed by federal judges, centers on First Amendment grounds, arguing that the board's actions infringed upon his right to free speech. Court of Appeals judge David Stras stated that the years of investigations caused Jensen to speak less and spend more, which is sufficient reason for a court to hear his case. Jensen had filed the lawsuit in 2023 after an unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign, claiming the board received numerous complaints about him spreading misinformation regarding the coronavirus.

U.S. Homeowners Face Rising 'Seriously Underwater' Mortgages, Minnesota Sees Significant Surge

U.S. Homeowners Face Rising 'Seriously Underwater' Mortgages, Minnesota Sees Significant Surge

The share of U.S. homeowners with 'seriously underwater' mortgages has increased to 3.2% in the second quarter, up from 2.7% a year earlier, according to a state-by-state analysis by real estate data firm ATTOM. A mortgage is considered 'seriously underwater' when the combined balance of loans secured against a property is at least 25% greater than its estimated worth. This problem worsened year-over-year in 33 states and Washington, D.C. Minnesota experienced the most dramatic shift, with its rate quadrupling in 12 months to 12.1% of mortgaged homes seriously underwater, making it the state with the highest rate. Louisiana ranked second at 10.3%, though its rate improved from the previous quarter. Iowa, Mississippi, and Arkansas also reported high shares of seriously underwater mortgages. Concurrently, the percentage of 'equity-rich' homes, where the amount owed is no more than half the estimated value, declined for the fourth consecutive quarter to 41.1%, the lowest in nearly five years.

Trek Driftless Teammates Paige Onweller and Cobe Freeburn Secure Elite Titles at USA Cycling Gravel National Championships

Trek Driftless Teammates Paige Onweller and Cobe Freeburn Secure Elite Titles at USA Cycling Gravel National Championships

Trek Driftless Teammates Paige Onweller and Cobe Freeburn Secure Elite Titles at USA Cycling Gravel National Championships