Articles by Steve Karnowski

Mayor Takes Heat for Response as Minneapolis Burns

First-term Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey appeared to be doing everything right. He worked with the city’s booming business community and the City Council. He reached out to minority neighborhoods and advocated for affordable housing. He implemented stricter disciplinary measures against …

Minnesota Lawmakers to Ensure Workers’ Comp Coverage to Responders with COVID-19

The Minnesota Legislature is reconvening to pass a bill to ensure that first responders and health care workers who contract COVID-19 qualify for workers’ compensation without having to prove that they contracted the disease on the job. Legislative leaders announced …

Minnesota Governor Wants $30M to Replenish State Disaster Aid Fund

With the threat of spring flooding looming, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has asked lawmakers to approve $30 million to replenish a state disaster aid fund that was drained by a string of disasters last year. Walz said an updated flood …

Minnesota AG Sues E-Cigarette Maker Juul over Rise in Youth Vaping

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has sued Juul Labs, accusing the e-cigarette maker of unlawfully targeting young people with its products to get a new generation addicted to nicotine. The lawsuit filed in Hennepin County District Court in Minneapolis seeks …

Minnesota AG: For-Profit Health Insurers Could Raid State’s Reserves

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has called on lawmakers to reverse a consequence of 2017 law that repealed the state’s ban on for-profit health maintenance organizations, saying for-profit companies could pocket billions in assets now held by the state’s nonprofit …

Bitter Debate Over Health Reinsurance Plan Erupts in Minnesota House

A bitter, partisan debate erupted on the Minnesota House floor on March 20 when Republicans tried to bring up a health care reinsurance bill that House Democrats oppose as a giveaway to the insurance industry. Back in 2017, when Republicans …

Hands-Free Phone Use While Driving Bill Passes Minnesota House

Minnesota motorists would be required to use hands-free devices when talking on the phone while driving under a bill that passed the state House on Monday night, after sponsors said the measure will cut down on distracted driving and save …

Alleging Fraud, Minnesota AG Swanson Sues Comcast

Minnesota’s attorney general sued Comcast/Xfinity on Dec. 21, alleging that the company has overcharged thousands of consumers for cable TV packages, charged them for unordered equipment and services, and failed to deliver on promised Visa gift cards. Attorney General Lori …

Stolen From Minnesota Museum, Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers Recovered in Sting Op

A pair of ruby slippers used in “The Wizard of Oz” and later stolen from a Minnesota museum were recovered in a sting operation after a man approached the shoes’ insurer and said he could help get them back, the …

University of Minnesota Sued by Former, Current Football Players

Nine black former and current University of Minnesota football players who say their rights were violated in a sexual misconduct investigation sued the school on Friday, alleging they are victims of racial and gender discrimination. The federal lawsuit stems from …