Rep. Jim Hagedorn issued this statement on the situation at the capitol:   Many times, since being elected to Congress, I have voiced support for lawful protest, and have strongly condemned acts of violence and anarchy, routinely perpetrated by leftist activists. Today’s protest in D.C., which led to a breach of the U.S. Capitol, brings the same response. What is being perpetrated by a forceful fraction of protesters is unacceptable and I condemn all illegal actions. To maintain the rule of law and preserve a civil society, citizens must follow the lawful commands of our fine law enforcement officers and obey [...]

Congressman Jim Hagedorn (MN-01) tonight voted to object to the counting of Electoral College votes for the State of Arizona and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the only disputed slates of electors considered and voted upon by the U.S. House and Senate. Hagedorn cited concerns about the constitutionality of individual actors in various states making wholesale changes to election laws without the consent of respective state legislatures, as is required under the United States Constitution. “In the closing months of the presidential race, partisan government officials and courts, often at the behest of organized liberal activists, amended or suspended election laws and [...]

Pro-Trump protesters outside the State Capitol Wednesday also directed their anger at Governor Tim Walz, who announced relaxed COVID restrictions on bars and restaurants but also said "we'll keep our hand on the dial": "We have mobile morgue trucks and a shortage of body bags in L-A County, Arizona is peaking back again.... The Upper Midwest has come back down some. There's every reason to be optimistic, Minnesota, but there's every reason to believe it can get outta hand pretty quickly." This protester, outside the Capitol on Facebook, told the governor: "If you don't open our state back up, we are [...]

Daily Update: Because all data is preliminary, the change in number of cumulative positive cases and deaths from one day to the next may not equal the newly reported cases or deaths. Total positive cases (cumulative) 427,587 Total confirmed cases (PCR positive) (cumulative) 411,956 Total probable cases (Antigen positive) (cumulative) 15,631 Newly reported cases 2,346 Newly reported confirmed cases 1,935 Newly reported probable cases 411 Newly reported cases detail County Newly reported confirmed cases Newly reported probable cases Aitkin 3 0 Anoka 109 54 Becker 10 2 Beltrami 9 8 Benton 20 2 Big Stone 2 0 Blue Earth 19 0 [...]

[ST. PAUL, MN] – As the COVID-19 situation improves by nearly every metric across Minnesota, Governor Tim Walz today announced measures that loosen restrictions on important parts of daily life. The Governor also urged Minnesotans to protect the progress made over the past month.   “The situation in Minnesota is undeniably better than it was last month,” Governor Walz said. “We have reasons to be optimistic, and Minnesotans’ sacrifice and commitment to their communities helped change the pandemic’s trajectory and saved lives. But we need to protect the progress we’ve made.”   The announcement comes as tens of thousands of Minnesotans have received [...]

On your mark, get set, go! Registration for the 2021 Mankato Marathon presented by Mayo Clinic Health System is opening on January 11 with early bird pricing.  Plans for an in-person event are underway, along with a virtual option.  Based on the current MN guidelines, races will open with a reduced number of spaces and will be increased as allowed.  Should the Mankato Marathon have to change the in-person event this year to virtual, runners would receive a 40% discount towards future races. “The Mankato Marathon continues to be recognized within the running community.  Although we weren’t able to run in [...]

On the first day of the 2021 legislative session, Rep. Luke Frederick, who won the seat that was previously held by the retiring Jack Considine, was sworn in to begin his first term in the Minnesota House of Representatives. “I am honored to serve the people of District 19B in the Minnesota House of Representatives. I look forward to working with my legislative colleagues to respond to the many challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. We will work together to help our people and economy recover.” Rep. Frederick will serve as vice-chair of the Behavioral Health Policy Division and on the [...]

Still $30,000 shy of its goal, The Salvation Army will end collections on Thursday.   MANKATO, Minn. – Ringer-less kettles are still visible at several locations in the Mankato area, thanks to an extended ringing season that was designed to make up a shortfall in collections this Christmas. The kettles, however,  will be collected by the close of business this coming Thursday, January 7th.  With a great push at the end, The Salvation Army ends its iconic bell ringing season at 94% of its $500,000 goal.   “We are extremely grateful for all our friends who rang bells for us this [...]

  At least 53 people died last year in fires in Minnesota — a 13 percent increase over the 47 fire deaths in 2019, according to preliminary numbers from the Department of Public Safety State Fire Marshal Division (SFMD). That number is the highest since 2017 when there were 68 fire deaths. Smoking was the leading cause of fatal fires in Minnesota; cooking was the second-leading cause in 2020

Daily Update: Because all data is preliminary, the change in number of cumulative positive cases and deaths from one day to the next may not equal the newly reported cases or deaths. Total positive cases (cumulative) 425,261 Total confirmed cases (PCR positive) (cumulative) 410,036 Total probable cases (Antigen positive) (cumulative) 15,225 Newly reported cases 1,612 Newly reported confirmed cases 1,441 Newly reported probable cases 171 Newly reported cases detail County Newly reported confirmed cases Newly reported probable cases Anoka 88 18 Becker 6 1 Beltrami 8 3 Benton 10 1 Big Stone 2 0 Blue Earth 15 2 Brown 6 0 [...]