A busy but productive wk+ since announcing my State Senate run (caucus, trainings, learning canvassing software...)!
Some have asked how to support the campaign.
It sounds cliché, but donations are SO appreciated to help get everything going.
Something else to remember w/the SCOTUS decision.
The "we'll adopt the children" narrative when poor women (because women with 💲 will continue to have options), are forced to carry unwanted pregnancies is a lie.
There are 400,000 children in foster care. 110,000+ adoptable.
Today marks one year since my foster son joined our family. 💕
This is one of my favorite pictures of the boys (from last fall), who are now true brothers and literally have each other's back.
I'm excited to announce I am running for State Senator in Senate District 53 (pending redistricting), representing Woodbury, Maplewood, Oakdale, & Landfall.
I grew up in this community & care deeply about ensuring it’s a place where everyone can thrive!
I alluded to him in an earlier post, but here is the newest member of my family.
A sweet little boy with the tiniest hand I've ever held (foster child/face not shown for privacy).
If you read my Updraft posts at
@MPRnews
, he's now often in my lap sleeping away while I write.
Merry Christmas from my wild crew to yours! 🎄🎅
(I'm still at 3 munchkins...our bonus friend is a boy who visits us one weekend a month (respite foster)).
My sweet foster baby has been sick.
Pediatrician wanted to send us to Children's Hospital (STP) today, but had to call first to make sure they had oxygen available if he needed it.
Let that sink in...needing to call to make sure they have oxygen for a baby.
2nd Covid shots for the boys & no tears!
(My foster son is afraid of needles, so I rearranged their 2nd shots together, so Sam could go first and show it was okay.)
That warranted ice cream...including for mom! 🍨
So proud to get this news this evening:
an endorsement from
@dflenvironment
!
As someone who grew up hiking & camping around the state and who loves the outdoors, I want to protect the natural beauty of Minnesota.
As a meteorologist, I'm committed to mitigating climate change!
My sweet baby is home from the hospital!
Thank you for all the warm wishes. It's so lovely seeing him feel better and be back to his smiley self. 👶
He celebrated with a nice, warm bottle (it was hard to get them warm in the hospital). 🍼
If anyone noticed my new profile photo...
credit goes to
@BrettHoffland
who took the shot during our Sunday morning news yesterday
@KSTP
.
Thanks Brett!
As a woman who almost died due to a planned, wanted pregnancy that developed complications....I can unequivocally state these important (& often heartbreaking) health decisions belong solely to pregnant person.
I'm so proud we were able to protect this fundamental right in MN.
For nearly 50 years, Roe v. Wade protected a woman's right to make decisions about her own body and her own life.
Then, the highest court in our land took a constitutional right away from the women of America.
In states across our nation, extremists have proposed and passed…
I'm honored to learn my campaign has been awarded the 2022 Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate distinction.
As we mourn the tragic murders in Buffalo, & all the other lives taken too soon by gun violence, we need more leaders committed to gun violence prevention.
@MomsDemand
So proud of my wonderful team! 🎉
One of my goals as Commander has been to get them more recognition for the outstanding work they do, which they make incredibly easy.
Congrats to SSgt Jay Schroeder for being selected Airman of the Year for all of Volk Field. Well deserved!👏
The decision to run for office was easy as I feel called to serve in this way, but unlike most candidates who can keep their "regular" jobs, I had to give up mine with
@MPRnews
&
@KSTP
as they cover politics & it would be a conflict.
Giving up work I love was admittedly difficult
My fab colleagues
@MPRnews
gave me a
@Grubhub
gift certificate as a going away gift.
It was SOOO nice to come back from a military weekend, and not have to immediately cook dinner, but instead get to just hang out with the kids, relax a bit, and enjoy (healthy) take-out! 🥪
Happy Veterans Day!
Throw back to 3 years ago when I had the great honor of being keynote Speaker at the National Science Foundation's Veteran's Day program, then sat on a panel talking about the data, research, & science that goes into to keeping people safe during hurricanes.
Here's something cool I just learned!
If elected to the MN Senate, I will be the ONLY female veteran in the Senate, & the first in 10+yrs.* 🇺🇸
Thanks to the amazing
@MinnLRL
(who I think like research & stats as much as I do!) for checking that.
#veteran
All is right in the world this AM!
Cuddly baby is dozing in my lap while I write the Updraft blog.
The other 2 boys are happily sleeping in.
And, I'm about to talk holiday weather
#mnwx
with the fabulous
@CathyWurzer
on
@MPRnews
Morning Edition!
The system is already overwhelmed & we're already failing too many children.
The same "save the fetuses" crowd ignores fundamental needs of these same children once they're born, failing to fund many of the programs children need to thrive, often including basic public education.
A moving Memorial Day ceremony in Woodbury today! 🇺🇸
(And the boys were champs, being good through the whole thing...although as you can see in the photo, Sam thought the three volley salute was a little loud. 🙂)
Sam had his 5yr check-up today....all good. 🩺
It also meant
#CovidVaccination
We discussed how it'll keep him healthier if exposed & how we help those who can't vax (like our baby).
How it helps his aunties, both in medical & overwhelmed with Covid cases.
Not even any tears!💉
While it was nice to walk outside from my office to the MN Capitol this morning, 60s in February are startling in Minnesota and demonstrate the changes humans are causing to the
#climate
.
Grateful🙏
@SusanKentMN
was gracious enough to share a couple hours of her precious time w/me today. She imparted her invaluable insights on topics including first-time campaigning & working in the Senate.
I'm grateful for her support as we work to keep our District blue!🌊
Working on my
@MPRnews
blog w/ happy foster baby in lap (not asleep yet after AM feeding).
A reporter calls to talk snowstorm info.
Me: you may hear a gurgling baby
Him: you might hear dogs
...ahhh, the adventures of work from home
(it was the🐶🐕that did disrupt the taping😆)
Being in the military, I've noticed how the work women do (the same work the men do) is sometimes portrayed far differently.
Look at these sports photos and see if you spot the same contrast I do.
Very honored by both the endorsement & the kind words from the DFL Veterans Caucus!
As a third generation military member, I will bring my commitment to "service before self" to the MN Senate!
(Where I will also be the first female veteran in our legislature n over a decade!)🇺🇸
Wow, I am so humbled that someone I haven't even had the pleasure of meeting would support me in this way.💕
I'm honored my message of leadership with heart resonates!
Mitchell is a member of the Minnesota Bar and military. She is a professional meteorologist who has studied and educated people about climate change and is committed to supporting veterans.
@NicoleM_MN
#DemVoice1
#ONEV1
#BLUEDOT
#LiveBlue2022
My last Updraft (detailing a 50-60 degree warm-up!) as I finish a wonderful experience w/
@MPRnews
I've loved working w/ this incredible team, & bringing all of you the weather!
This sums up why politicians (especially men who have NO CLUE what it's like to be pregnant) shouldn't make reproductive healthcare laws.
Yes, I'm THE expert on my own body & the trauma I was experiencing.
But please, 72yr old man, give me your unsolicited opinion.
FFS.
As a woman who almost died due to a planned, wanted pregnancy that developed complications....I can unequivocally state these important (& often heartbreaking) health decisions belong solely to pregnant person.
I'm so proud we were able to protect this fundamental right in MN.
Many of you know I've served as election judge for years, as I believe strongly in protecting the right to vote.
Attempting to invalidate the will of the electorate with violence is NOT “legitimate political discourse.”
Breaking News: The Republican Party officially declared the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol “legitimate political discourse” and censured two of its own members, Representatives Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, for investigating it.
But, w/AM news & Guard, I can't recall my last Sunday morn. off.
Today, foster baby woke to eat 3:30am, & I'd usually be groaning, w/o time more sleep time b4 the 4 a.m. alarm.
I can't express how nice it was to spend my 1st lazy Sun. in AGES, sleeping in & cuddling w/the kids💕
BUT, there's an amazing program for MN voters:
Donate $50 ($100/couple), & the state REFUNDS it! (you can to donate more, but only $50 refunds)
You donate, I send a receipt + form, like shown below (along with a thank you note!).
The state refunds it!
Thanks for considering!
A fun all-scientist doorknock tonight w/
@Amanda_MNHouse
& Drew from
@314action
. Keeping the theme...honored to get news of endorsement by
@mnnurses
while we were out.🩺 Extra appropriate, since my favorite nurse (my sister) was babysitting my boys while I was doorknocking!
With my son's b-day & Christmas, I forgot to post the 2nd of my 2 sweet foster pups got adopted!
I miss many things, including his handsome face & how patient he was with the kids.
But at -14 (-28 w.c.)...you know what I don't miss right now: middle of the night potty trips.😂🥶
Vaccines and masks have nothing to do with taking away personal freedoms, but instead have everything to do with having the basic compassion to protect the vulnerable and show respect to the medical personnel who are drowning in work right now. 💉😷
Nothing says "a mom running for office" like doing a batch of thank-yous to contributors, running out of the campaign stamps, and having to use your personal T-Rex stamps the 5yr olds picked out.🦖🦖😆
#momlife
1. This is why critical thinking must be taught in schools...not everything you hear is true, & you should not repeat false information.
2. This is also why we need more parents with children IN our public schools. Clearly, these people haven't been in a school anytime recently.
"There’s something going on in our schools called 'furry.' I think it's spelled F-U-R-R-Y... I looked it up on Google.”
3 Minnesota GOP State Reps. spread false rumors of litter boxes in bathrooms, uniforms that accommodate tails and kids identifying as cats during floor debate.
A little behind posting, but this was Tues, just after returning from Hurricane Hunting duty. Sworn in at the MN Supreme Court, as one of the newest members of the MN Bar. No career change on the horizon, but I do plan to use it in some sort of volunteer capacity!
So many "this has never happened" weather events possible in MN today.
Latest ever for this high a severe risk (mdt).
If we have tornadoes (likely), it'll crush the prior "latest" MN tornado date of Nov 16.
Record highs.
Possible record moisture & dew pts.
#ClimateCrisis
#mnwx
A rare storm system for December will impact our region today. Severe thunderstorms are likely this afternoon/evening. Main threats are damaging winds & tornadoes. Very strong winds tonight with some snow in western MN.
#mnwx
#wiwx
Full DSS packet:
Me, after explaining resolutions to the boys, and how it should be something to improve yourself or make you a better person...
the 5 yrs olds:
"I want a skateboard"
"I'll turn into Godzilla"🦖
Maybe we'll try this again next year.
On MPR this morning, we talked about the strange orange sky some of you saw yesterday as smoke filtered into the storm. Here's what that looked like if you didn't see it. Thanks to Damon Mathews of Pepin, WI for the pic!
Additionally, wildfire smoke from the Colorado fires appears to have made its way to southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. This is also likely contributing to the strange colored skies this morning. Smoke is not expected at the surface.
#mnwx
#wiwx
So many thanks for the amazing turn-out at my kick off today!
@NickAFrentz
for the lovely intro &
@senmattklein
for also making the trip.
+ my fellow candidates for both the House and Senate, all the attendees who told me their top issues, & volunteers who helped.
Thank you!!!
Today is both the 1st day of summer &
#ShowYourStripes
Day, to raise awareness to our rising temps.
My necklace is based in the US avg temps, red/orange stripes indicate years above the 20th century average...escalating quickly in recent years! (MN also shown.)
#ClimateCrisis
My sweet foster baby is 1!!
You may remember his occasional "cooing" guest appearance when I did
#mnwx
on
@MPRnews
, & he'd sit in my lap.
I wish I could share his face...such a happy boy!
We're fortunate to have him in our family for whatever period of time the future holds.💕
I'm official!
I've been to the Washington Co. Gov't building so many times as an election judge...it was a great moment being there today to put my name on the next ballot! 🗳️
To support the campaign:
Today is World Adoption Day. I have so many wonderful people in my life who are adopted, have adopted, or are like me and plan to adopt (foster to adopt).
Loving families come in all forms!
#worldadoptionday
💕
#adopt
#FosterCare
I'm very excited to announce I'll be joining Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) tomorrow morning!
My weather updates air around 7:48am M-F...maybe more this week with our coming snow!
And, yes, I'll still be on at KSTP-TV Saturday and Sunday evenings.
A really cool thing about 5yr olds: they can turn almost anything into a toy. 📦 🚀
A really frustrating thing about 5 yr olds: they think everything in the house is a toy. 🧰🛋️
😆
Had a lovely time at an event supporting
@MNSteveSimon
yesterday evening, who I've technically worked for the past several years as an election judge. 💙His commitment to free and fair elections. 🗳️
Thank to
@kaul_john
for taking fabulous photos there!
Happy
#MothersDay
to all the moms...including everyone who stepped into that role for children who needed it.
Hugs to all for whom this is a difficult day.
Now I'm off to try & convince the 5yr olds they should make me breakfast...we'll see how that goes. 😆
Corporations are NOT people, and they shouldn't be allowed to "buy" politicians.
I support getting dark money out of politics, to ensure more politicians go back to listening to constituents...not special interests.
Yesterday's "he didn't need oxygen" was spoken a little too soon.
Munchkin took a turn overnight, so back to the ER, & admitted this time.
BUT I'm so grateful that without having to work so hard to breathe he can actually get good rest.
He's been sleeping like a log all day!😴
Although not widely celebrated here in MN, when I used to travel to MS for military work, everything would basically shut-down for Mardi Gras.
Here's a little look back on Sam (at 2.5months), all tuckered out after watching his first parade!
Laissez le bon temps rouler!🎭
🍕The boys were very happy to hear that today was
#nationalpizzaday
and that I planned to "celebrate" it.
Although we only did frozen pizza, I snazzed it up with some basil, tomatoes, and black olives.🍕
What I should have been doing the last half hour... grocery shopping.
What I was doing... figuring out how to get this lovely lady out from being trapped in my yard (no path thorough fence) back into the path to Colby Lake, while keeping all my digits in tact.
Confession: Especially on the really cold winter days🥶, I use USPS "informed delivery" to see if it's worth the trip to the mailbox. 📬✉️
It usually isn't.😆
This is the reality with COVID.
Thank you to all who have vaccinated to help those who can't, like my munchkin, safe.
Fortunately, he didn't need oxygen. Yucky case of RSV, but he's back home where I can snuggle him.💕
After an incredible 32+ years at TWC, I'm embarking on a new journey due to company restructuring. I'm immensely grateful to all of you who've been part of this amazing ride!
As hurricane season approaches, I can't wait to reconnect on another network.
Stay tuned!
Amazing luncheon today for
@womenwinning
! From the state & federal candidates stepping forward, to the incredible crowd who came to support us, this is what fighting for the right of women to control their own bodies looks like!
With
@amyklobuchar
and
@Amanda_MNHouse
#prochoice
With you on KSTP-TV tonight at 6 & 10 with a chilly forecast.
I had a little extra time getting ready today, so it's a rare appearance of curly hair! 😃
As I door-knock, I'm hear so many people frustrated about this...walking away from important needs of the state like funding for our public schools and infrastructure.
Representatives need to do the work they are elected to do, not play partisan games.
I received this note w/donation today, sent the day so many kids in TX were murdered as they tried to get an education.
It'll go up on my wall as a reminder we need to do better for our children.
Thank you for your faith! I WILL work for positive change!
And this is why so many girls and women don't come forward.
Justice was dragged out for years, then his crimes that could have gotten him 90yrs ended with a slap on the wrists.
What has this child now learned about her value from the legal system?
After striking a plea deal with prosecutors, a onetime Tennessee sheriff’s deputy who was accused of repeatedly raping a 14-year-old girl over a period of 20 months will serve no time in prison and does not have to register as a sex offender.
We're still under all this with the current storm that doesn't clear N MN until tonight (ranges from high winds, to some ice, to the blizzard warning in red).
Then ANOTHER storm hits tomorrow, with the new snowfall forecast shown.
Hello winter!
#mnwx
Signing the "No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge" was a no-brainer!
As someone committed to protecting Minnesota's environment, we need to work toward cleaner, renewable options!
#NoFossilFuelMoney
#climatecrisis
Happy National Weatherperson's Day to everyone in weather! 🌞❄️
(Many contribute...those in military, other government like the NWS, education, observers, TV, radio, etc.)
It takes the whole team to help get the info out to the public & keep people safe!
#mnwx
#WeatherPersonsDay
Voting is a fundamental right. I've been honored to protect the amazing free & fair elections we have in MN as an election judge.
I will also protect this right in the Senate.
Thank you
@TurnoutPAC
for your work getting people out to vote, & for supporting my campaign! 🗳️
Had my dad pick up some of the giant donuts from Nelson Bros. Bakery in Clearwater, MN on his way to my house yesterday. 🍩
"Big" hit with my Guard unit this wknd! I put a bagel by them for perspective...you can barely fit 6 in a normal donut box.🤤
Happy Valentine's Day from the boys and me!
The boys wore their "love" shirts (Sam's is the MLK quote, "I have decided to stick with love..."), and the baby went full tuxedo. 😄
I'm BEYOND jealous.
One thing weather observers report is runway conditions that could impact a landing...most often "wet runway" or a visibility issue.
One of my Guard team is in Antarctica right now, & they reported a penguin on the runway in an official obs. Too Cool! 🐧
You never know who might show up on an
@DFLsd47
door-knock!
Thank you to Sen.
@epmurphymn
, Rep. Frank Hornstein, &
@Amanda_MNHouse
(and Kate!!) for joining me in Park Hills, Woodbury, where I grew up!
We'd love you to join us help get out the vote:
Fitting that I got the word late yesterday, in the final hours of Pride month, of my endorsement by Outfront MN. I look forward to helping create a Minnesota where all people are treated with dignity and respect!
9° in the Twin Cites right now with light snow.
If you're not liking the chill (I actually think it feels MUCH better than yesterday now that winds are lighter)...here's the outlook for next week:
#mnwx
Thanks to all the women who led the way for the rest of us!
Even today, there are WAY too many times I'm the only woman "at the table" in the military.
I hope one of my legacies is blazing a clear path behind me for more women (& other under-represented groups) in leadership!
March is Women's History Month!
During this month,
#USAF
honors the women, past and present, who contributed to our service's ability to fly, fight and win - and provide airpower anytime, anywhere.
@laura_yuen
They are actually wonderful animals.
They're basically tick hoovering machines (and other insects), and also mice, rats, dead things in the yards, etc. 🪳🕷️🐀
But, yeah, I'd give them space too! 😆
If you're fired up & need to act:
1. Primary voting is open in MN. Early Vote!
2. Lawn signs go up in MN starting today...support pro-choice candidates.
3. Donate! In MN you can donate $50 REIMBURSABLE to a state-level campaign.
4. Volunteer & help candidates who support women!
Excited to announce my first fundraiser/official kickoff event (finally!) in my campaign for State Senate!🎉
May 1 also begins Military Appreciation Month: if elected, I'll be the 1st female veteran in 10+yrs in the MN legislature.🇺🇸
Hope to see you!
RSVP:
One of my foster pups found his fur-ever home! 🐶
Tony Curtis, renamed "Butter" by my kids, is now Augie.
His new parents adore his and shared this photo from him first night in his new home! 💕
Another day, more snow. ❄️
Not as heavy in north-central MN/North Shore as yesterday, but still enough to cause slow downs.
Another coating of ice expected too, especially SE, but even the Cities could get some freezing drizzle late afternoon.🧊
#mnwx
Winner, winner!
The Twin Cities got the most snow with this storm not just for MN, but for the Midwest.
21" reported in E. St. Paul. 20" where I'm at in Woodbury.
Lots of digging out to do today, but the boys are giddy about the snow!
Well, we just sent Maple Syrup in to the wilds of our back yard. Found him a nice flower to get him going.
Not before we had a couple bonding moments though!
It was a very fun experience!
Me: Look boys it's snowing! (It was pretty.)
Sam: Mom, I don't want it to snow anymore. When is it going to be summer?
Me: I know honey. It'll be warmer in a few days, just hang on.
When even the 5yr olds are over the snow (& they love snow), you know it's been a long spring!