Recent content from Rochelle Olson
![Mike Lindell, CEO of MyPillow, is photographed in Newport Beach, Calif., on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021. ]](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/4T6FYIZ4XHCA4WHSTZXTCIJE3I.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Supreme Court says no to Lindell's request for hearing on cellphone confiscation
The MyPillow founder's phone was seized in a Hardee's drive-thru.
Hot Dish 4.12.24
Walz wings it to New Hampshire for speech
Ban on historical horse racing advances swiftly after Racing Commission tried to legalize casino games
Horse industry supporters showed up at the Capitol with a live horse to plead for subsidies.
Ellison, Smith say 150-year-old act could be used to ban medicinal abortions
The Minnesota Democrats hit the alarm on the core election issue this year.
Hot Dish 4.5.24
Middle innings at the Capitol
New sports betting bill would bar bets on college games, push notifications, in-game action
Sen. John Marty says he proposed the safeguards because his main bill hasn't gained traction.
Judge dismisses Scott Jensen's First Amendment lawsuit against the state Board of Medical Practice
The physician and former Republican gubernatorial candidate claimed he was targeted by the board for his political views.
Sports betting sponsors say Racing Commission move on historical horse racing is illegal
Rep. Zack Stephenson says the decision will backfire on the tracks and complicate work on mobile betting bills.
Hot Dish 4.2.24
Snow in April, just like Prince penned
Governor announces six finalists for two Minnesota Supreme Court seats
By midsummer, Walz is replacing retiring justices G. Barry Anderson and Margaret Chutich.
Minnesota Voters Alliance says new law improperly restored voting rights to felons
State Supreme Court conducts expedited oral arguments on the legal challenge. Voting in the state primary begins in June with about 57,000 felons newly eligible to vote.
Hot Dish 3.29.24
Walz is headed to New Hampshire, let's speculate.
Gov. Walz reflects on historic legislative session, urges more gun safety measures
His State of the State address also included a pitch for a $989 million bonding bill, a package of construction projects focusing on affordable housing, water infrastructure projects and repairing buildings on college campuses.
Hot Dish 3.26.24
Walz will be at the new Owatonna High School Tuesday night.
Faith leaders, GOP say gender identity protections impinge on their religious freedom
Republicans say the 2023 change to the Human Rights Act could be easily fixed.
U.S. Supreme Court ruling leads to $109 million state payout for property seizures
The settlement, which must still be approved by the Legislature, is related to the government's illegal taking of home equity on forfeited homes.
![Minnesota State Senator John Marty, DFL-Roseville. ] GLEN STUBBE * GSTUBBE@STARTRIBUNE.COM Friday, February 2, 2015](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/KBKNVTUV7SJYNW4KFY5D5K3Z5E.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Gift ban sponsor Sen. John Marty still pushing for tighter rules, more disclosure
One new provision Marty pushed through the Legislature last session requires officials to disclose the financial holdings of their spouses.
Bill sponsor solves potential issue, increasing odds for legalized sports betting
The sponsor of a sports betting bill in the Minnesota House of Representatives announced a deal to settle an issue that had the potential to scuttle the entire effort to bring legalized gambling to Minnesota.
Hot Dish 3.19.24
State leaders ensnared in situations created by Minneapolis City Council, Hennepin County Attorney
Uber, Lyft pay causes Capitol conundrum after Minneapolis vote
Walz seeks statewide solution, asks City Hall to reconsider minimum pay levels.
Walz proposes modest 2024 budget adjustments
The biggest ticket item in the governor's supplemental budget is a phasing in of advance payments on the child tax credit next year.
Will Gov. Walz reassign prosecution of trooper Londregan to AG Ellison?
Ellison said his office is studying the situation, which is "up in the air."
Hot Dish 3.15.24
Vice President Harris does a Tour de St. Paul
Vice President Harris makes historic visit to Planned Parenthood in St. Paul
Walz, other officials joined Harris at the Minnesota abortion provider as part of her Fight for Reproductive Freedoms Tour.
Hot Dish 3.8.24
Smoking State of the Union launches a million memes
Sen. Dziedzic: Wigs for cancer patients should be covered by insurance
The former majority leader says she wants to make life easier for others with cancer.
Biden, Trump win in Minnesota on Super Tuesday, heading to a repeat
Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips didn't carry his home state.
Taylor Swift ticketing fiasco prompts bill for upfront disclosure of full ticket prices
The Minnesota proposal would also ban deceptive resale websites and speculative selling.
Rachel Bohman seeks to challenge Minnesota GOP Congressman Brad Finstad
The Rochester native worked in Hennepin and Anoka county elections before returning home.
Legalized sports betting advances at Capitol amid concerns
House panel focused on problematic fallout of expanded gambling in Minnesota.
What's passed and what's yet to come at the 2024 Minnesota Legislature
From cannabis to sports betting, we track the major bills at the State Capitol this session.
GOP candidate enters race for open west metro congressional seat
Jamie Page wants to succeed U.S. Rep Dean Phillips in the Third Congressional District.
Early tensions emerge as Minnesota lawmakers convene 2024 legislative session
DFLers at the State Capitol have less money to spend this year than last.
Hot Dish Feb 12
Leaders predict a more routine year at the Capitol after COVID, gigantic 2023
Minnesota's 2024 legislative session will focus on bonding projects, fixes to new laws
Legislators won't spend much money this year after passing the largest budget in state history last session.
New Minnesota parole board seeks citizen members to decide who gets out of prison
State corrections commissioner will no longer make the decisions himself.
DFLers choose St. Paul Sen. Erin Murphy as new majority leader
Murphy will succeed Sen. Kari Dziedzic, who stepped aside for health reasons.
Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic will step down from leadership after cancer returns
The five-term Minneapolis senator left the 34-member caucus stunned with her surprise announcement during a noon virtual meeting.
Republican military veteran enters 2024 race for U.S. Senate
Political newcomer Joe Fraser of Minnetrista is seeking the GOP nomination to run against DFL Sen. Klobuchar.
Prominent Minnesota lawyer, lobbyist William McGrann has died
He founded the public affairs law firm McGrann Shea in Minneapolis and worked with professional sports teams and civic and arts organizations.
Hot Dish 1.26.24
Two governors and a red hot actor visit the North for celebration, research
Walz touts child care savings for Minnesota military families
Minnesotans could save up to $1,800 per month per child.
Ellison joins lawsuit claiming NCAA transfer portal violates antitrust laws
Federal suit claims rule impedes athletes' ability to profit from name-image-likeness rights.
Sports gambling proposal by GOP senator kicks off issue for 2024
Sen. Jeremy Miller seeks compromise to help tribes, tracks and Minnesotans who want to bet.
Justice Margaret Chutich announces retirement from Minnesota Supreme Court
Her departure means four of the seven justices on the state's high court will be Walz appointees.
Walz pitches $982 million in infrastructure projects for 2024
The governor's bonding proposal sets the framework for discussions about borrowing and building projects in the upcoming legislative session.
Minnesota State Fair holds ticket prices steady for 2024
Advance tickets for the 2004 Great Minnesota Get-Together can be bought online for $15.
Sen. Klobuchar heads into 2024 re-election bid without a major GOP challenger
The three-term Democratic senator appears headed toward an easy re-election leading into a potential 2028 presidential bid.
Last Republican Minnesota Supreme Court appointee announces retirement
Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty appointed G. Barry Anderson to the high court in 2004.
State of Hockey pinches itself as Minnesota lands 2026 world juniors
The official announcement that Minnesota will host the 50th anniversary of the world junior hockey tournament in 2026 came Friday morning from Sweden.
State surplus, sports gambling, Dean Phillips: Minnesota political stories to watch in 2024
Expect many more, but here's what we know at the outset of the year.
Minnesota lands bid to host 2026 world junior hockey tournament
The games are expected to start Dec. 26, 2025, at Xcel Energy Center and 3M Arena at Mariucci.
Emailed bomb threat briefly upends business at Minnesota Capitol
The threat interrupted a session of the Supreme Court, which moved across the street to the Judicial Center.
Red-flag gun law is now in effect in Minnesota
Walz touts new rules allowing family, partners to seek surrender of guns by individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others.
U.S. Bank Stadium seeking $62M for phase two of secure perimeter at Vikings' home
Final estimate means stadium authority will seek additional money from state. The Legislature approved $15.7 million for phase one.
Judge blocks new state campaign finance law aimed at curbing foreign corporate influence
A federal judge blocked the Jan. 1 start of a new law that imposed limits on foreign spending in state elections.
New turf at U.S. Bank Stadium will provide 'slightly better safety'
The Vikings' home stadium will switch from a slit film field to a monofilament surface a little more than a year after the NFLPA called for slit film turf to be banned.
December heat cancels attempted world-record ice maze in Eagan
St. Paul-based Minnesota Ice is keeping the ice cold for a possible event later this season.
Trump ballot ban in Colorado puts petitioners on alert in Minnesota
A second Minnesota Supreme Court hearing on a Trump ban depends on what the U.S. Supreme Court does.
Minnesota projects $2.4 billion budget surplus, but spending it could lead to deficit
The projected surplus announced by Minnesota Management and Budget is much smaller than the $17.5 billion budget surplus the DFL-controlled Minnesota Legislature used up this year.
Derek Chauvin expected to survive after prison stabbing
The former Minneapolis police officer has been serving time in a medium-security prison in Arizona, where he was stabbed and wounded by another prisoner.
Highs and lows from the Minnesota Capitol during busy year
These moments stood out in the historic session under a DFL trifecta.
Rochester woman receives 10 days in prison, three months' home detention for Jan. 6 role
Victoria White will also serve two months on probation under a sentence from D.C. judge.
World-record busting ice maze planned for Minnesota Vikings' Eagan headquarters
New Minnesota Ice Festival hopes to obliterate the 2010 maze record set in Buffalo, N.Y.
Rep. Craig's attacker receives over two years in prison; defense sought one year
Prosecutors sought three-year sentence for man who assaulted the Minnesota congresswoman in February.
U.S. Rep. Angie Craig details trauma, fallout from physical attack at her D.C. home
The congresswoman's victim impact statement says her sense of safety and security has been "significantly impacted."
State nutrition program for 40,000 seniors lacks enough oversight, audit finds
Agency head says the state struggled to ensure compliance amid an influx of federal pandemic-related funding.
Lindell's troubled MyPillow goes with in-house counsel to defend Smartmatic case
Former Minnesota attorney general candidate Doug Wardlow will represent Lindell and the pillow manufacturer.
State court dismisses petition seeking to bar Trump from 2024 ballot
Minnesota Supreme Court ruled after hearing oral arguments last week; a general election challenge is still possible.
Supreme Court Chief Hudson asks if court should disqualify Trump — even if it can
Justices heard arguments on petition saying Constitution's insurrection clause bars Trump from 2024 ballot in Minnesota.
Minnesota Supreme Court to hear arguments on whether Trump is on 2024 ballot
Thursday hearing is expected to be one of many steps leading to a possible U.S. Supreme Court hearing.
Minnesota Vikings owners make progress on Eagan development surrounding team headquarters
Phase three of Viking Lakes adds apartments adjacent to basketball, pickleball and tennis courts.
U.S. Rep. Fischbach seeks GOP leadership role, cites Minnesota Senate experience
The former lieutenant governor seeks spot created by election of House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Should Trump be on ballot? Legal experts will debate at University of Minnesota.
Scholars will speak about the significant oral arguments coming next week to the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Gambling treatment is free for Minnesotans struggling with addiction
Granite Falls Vanguard at Project Turnabout is one of just a few residential centers in the nation.
