Chief Political Reporter, KSTP-TV. Author, Inside the Ropes with Jesse Ventura. Studio host, MN State Hockey on 45TV. Chairman, 2019 Hobey Baker Committee
MUST WATCH TV: If you’re still unclear what impact the rioting and violence is having on the most vulnerable among us, please listen to Stephanie, a disabled Minneapolis woman who offers her heart-wrenching experience after last night’s violence. Great work by
@BenryNews
DEVELOPING: Trump supporters not taking “no” for an answer at Rochester Airport rally. Hundreds with Trump flags gathering outside the airport and the roads surrounding the airport are jammed. State limited size of rally inside to 250. Big screen set up outside for overflow.
A remarkable MN National Guard convoy just now entering Minneapolis via Interstate 394 coming from the west. Part of a historic full mobilization of up to 13,000 MN National Guard troops.
#kstp
#5eyewitnessnews
Btw,
@StarTribune
had a great story this week about how Minneapolis bans businesses from installing security shutters to protect their windows because shutters “create the impression that an area is ‘unsafe’ and ‘troublesome.”
A large crowd of supporters waiting to greet Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar At Mpls-St. Paul International airport in the midst of feud with President Trump. Live reports at 5 and 6 on 5 Eyewitness News.
Maj. General Jon Jensen of the MN National Guard says they were ordered to activate early yesterday and soldiers were notified. He says there was no “clear mission” and he was uncomfortable sending troops into unfamiliar terrain in darkness.
JUST IN: A lawsuit has been filed in U.S. District Court challenging MN Gov. Tim Walz on his decision to shut down youth and high school sports. The organization “Let Them Play” filed the suit today claiming the state doesn’t have adequate COVID data to support the shutdown.
The real lead story in MN kind of got buried yesterday by President Trump's visit: My sister was declared "cancer-free" after 6 months of surgeries/chemotherapy for ovarian cancer. Here's the smile of someone who got to celebrate that milestone last night. Keep prayers coming!
Gov. Walz admits closing health clubs is "counterintuitive" when it comes to mental and physical health during the pandemic. But he says because people are breathing hard while exercising they can spread COVID. Although MDH stats show relatively few outbreaks and cases in gyms.
For all of you wondering if we will be following up on the “Project Veritas” story about alleged ballot fraud in Minnesota, the answer is yes. However, we have to verify many aspects of the report and will be working to do that today.
MN Congresswoman Ilhan Omar received a rousing welcome home from Washington after several days of feuding with President Trump. She made it clear she will not back down.
#omar
HAPPENING NOW: A sports betting bill is being introduced at the MN State Capitol. Bipartisan authors say 40% of the revenue would go to youth sports, especially in communities with high levels of juvenile crime. The theory being sports keep kids out of trouble.
The owner of the Depot Bar and Grill in Faribault, MN, says “I feel like I’m on the Titanic and this governor is treating me like a 3rd class citizen.”
The MN Licensed Beverage Association critical of new vaccine/testing mandate in Mpls-St. Paul: “They say we’re in this together - but this mandate shows that the hospitality industry is clearly targeted alone. We know both vaccinated and unvaccinated people spread the virus.”
BREAKING: The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis will NOT comply with the new guidance from Governor Walz that only allows 10 people inside or outside churches. A letter to parishes across the state is signed by Archbishop Hebda and all six bishops in the state.
DEVELOPING: Less than 90 minutes after I asked MN Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington if he was aware of a threat to the Christopher Columbus statue at the State Capitol...being told yes and assured it would be protected...this happened.
Please keep my beautiful and smart sister Maggie Hauser Peters in your prayers. She passed away on Monday after a five-year battle with ovarian cancer. Thanks to the great people at St. Croix Hospice for helping make her final days as peaceful and pain-free as possible ❤️🙏
I've been shutout on the MDH call for the fourth day in a row. It's time to move these briefings and the governor briefings/announcements to in-person news conferences with proper social distancing. If NY Gov. Cuomo can do it every day, so can Minnesota.
“The message has been received that the wheels of justice must move swiftly...but fairly.” Attorney General Keith Ellison talking about George Floyd case.
@keithellison
The MN House and Senate have a joint proposal for legalized sports betting in MN. They say they’ve reached agreement with the Minnesota Indian Gaming Assoc and local professional sports teams. MN horse tracks are left out of the agreement. Details tonight on 5 Eyewitness News.
It’s about the destruction of public property on the Minnesota State Capitol grounds with little attempt by law enforcement to stop it despite at least a 6-hour warning. That’s “my deal.” Your lack of concern over lawlessness says something about you.
A bipartisan group of MN senators proposes plan to legalize sports betting in MN. The proposal would allow sports betting in tribal casinos, horse racing tracks and online. “It’s good for tribes, it’s good for tracks and it’s good for consumers,” says Sen. Roger Chamberlain.
BREAKING: Gov. Tim Walz, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, DFL House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler all ask Rep. John Thompson to resign immediately. The calls for his resignation come after scrutiny of his criminal record shows cases of domestic abuse.
For those of you spreading or believing the false story Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is in Florida for the holiday weekend...my favorite quote applies: “A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.”
#Truthtest
BREAKING: MN Gov. Tim Walz will sign an executive order tomorrow morning ending the state mask mandate...but MDH will still recommend people who are not vaccinated to keep wearing masks as per the new CDC recommendations.
In a related story, a Minneapolis attorney wants the Dallas Cowboys to come back to the parking lot of Mall of America, former home of Metropolitan Stadium, to replay final seconds of the 1975 Divisional Playoff game against the Vikings. Yes, Drew Pearson pushed off.
RUNNING MATE: 5 Eyewitness News confirms Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Jensen will name former MN Viking and Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl champion Matt Birk as his lieutenant governor running mate…uniting two of the leading critics of COVID vaccine & mask mandates.
A compelling moment that shows the best of Minnesota. A MN National Guard leader at the State Capitol telling demonstrators his troops will remain out of sight and allow them to exercise their First Amendment rights with out interference or intimidation.
Three years ago on Christmas Eve my sister Maggie was in the hospital diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Today she’s cancer-free. We can’t be together this year, but that’s really the only gift I truly want every year. Merry Christmas to all! 🎄❤️🎁🎅
NOW: MN Senate Republicans propose $8.51 billion in tax cuts over next three years. The proposal calls for a cut in the first-tier income tax rate from 5.35% to 2.8%. This is a rate paid by all income tax payers. They also propose eliminating all taxes on Social Security income.
With my late sister Maggie having my back and pushing me up Heartbreak Hill…I finished the Boston Marathon in 4:37:28. It is the toughest marathon course in the world…and I shaved 13+ minutes off my previous Boston time in 2021. I also raised nearly $9,000 for
@steppingstrong1
My final thought tonight. The uniformity of silence from state and City of Mpls leaders must be some sort of coordinated strategy. I have no idea what the strategy is...but will try to find out later today.
I ran into my son Nick’s kindergarten teacher at a grad party. The detail she remembered about my son at the age of 5 stunned me. It was heartwarming to hear stories 15 years later, including how my daughter Abbey used to look after him in school. Teachers really are a gift...
The Walz lead over Scott Jensen is significant geographically and demographically. On most issues cited as important to voters, Walz leads. In May, before abortion court ruling and barrage of attack ads, Jensen trailed by 5 points. Four years ago, Jeff Johnson trailed Walz by 7.
MN Licensed Beverage Association response to Gov. Walz extending shutdown of indoor dining:
“Today’s news is not only devastating, it’s shameful and unjust. Minnesota’s hospitality industry has complied in good faith with mask mandates, limited service, and yet has only seen 1/3
BREAKING: Say it ain’t so!!! 5 Eyewitness News Chief Meteorologist Dave Dahl is retiring at the end of 2020. The man has barely aged since we started working together 28 years ago. Happy trails, Dave. Truly been an honor to work with someone I watched when I was in high school 😎
HAPPENING NOW: MN Gov. Tim Walz is about to sign the bill legalizing recreational marijuana alongside former Gov. Jesse Ventura, a long-time advocate for legalization.
If Mpls dismantles its police department, and depending on what replaces it, it will be worth watching whether the city will get another Super Bowl, NCAA tournament or major convention any time in the near future. Public safety is a major consideration.
President Trump criticizing Governor Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison who he calls “radical Democrats” for trying to “silence” his supporters. Says they allowed protesters to assemble and “burn down a precinct” but his supporters can’t assemble here for a rally.
“We have been below the caution threshold for 13 days now,” she says. How can Minnesota be “uncontrolled” and “below the caution threshold” at the same time? I’ll hang up and listen...
So...in the same news story I’m reading now the headline says the COVID-19 spread in MN is rated “uncontrolled” by Duke University. However, deep in the story MN Infectious Disease Director Kris Ehresmann says the positivity rate remains below the state’s desired 5% threshold.
KSTP/SURVEYUSA: Just 22 percent say Sen. Franken should remain in office. 33% say he should resign...36% wait for results of Senate Ethics Committee. His approval rating in MN now just 36%, only 5 points higher than President Trump.
COVID-19 case fatality rates by age group in MN per MDH: 0-19 no deaths;
20-29 .02%
30-39 .13%
40-49 .31%
50-59 1.36%
60-69 5.47%
70-79 15.26%
80-89 30.82%
90-99 44.48%
100+ 58%
The owners of “The Nook” tell governor the restaurant industry is on “brink of collapse.” They say they��re not taking political sides they just want someone to do something after they’ve been shut down through no fault of their own.
Congrats to Minnetonka High School administrators for patience, hard work and good planning to allow for safe “actual” graduation ceremonies for Class of 2020. We’re so proud of our youngest daughter and all her resilient 2020 classmates at Minnetonka and throughout Minnesota.
Gov. Walz says it was up to local police authorities to have a mission for the MN National Guard after they requested them and they “failed to do that.” Walz says now the state is stepping in and tonight will not be a repeat of last night.
JUST IN: St. Paul Police Chief Todd Axtell says MN State Rep John Thompson owes an apology to the St. Paul Police sergeant who pulled him over last weekend. “…I was shocked to hear that driver accuse the sergeant of making the stop based on race,” Axtell writes on Facebook.
@thauserkstp
Trump knowingly and willfully exposed Cambria CEO Marty Davis and his family to a highly contagious deadly virus
Hauser won’t tell you that
KSTP/SURVEYUSA: Tina Smith 43%; Jason Lewis 42%; 12% undecided; 3% people other. Confidence Interval +/- 5%. Smith had 11-point lead in September and 7-point lead earlier this month.
This is really the most absurd parsing of words I can remember on Twitter and that’s saying a lot. I’m certain I’ve said men and women “complain” about all kinds of things. It never occurred to me to think only women complain. I’m amazed you do. This is insulting and ridiculous.
It’s a legitimate question to ask what metrics will be used to determine when a mandate or executive powers will end. I’m sorry you prefer government leaders should go unquestioned.
JUST IN: The MN Police and Peace Officers Association (MPPOA) demands Rep. John Thompson allow body cam video released of his traffic stop last week when he claims he was racially profiled. Thompson will not allow the release as he's allowed to prohibit under state law. (1/3)
Gov. Walz urges Minnesotans to take all necessary steps to avoid COVID. “Whatever it takes to motivate you. Just keep yourself healthy enough to vote against me in two years if you want,” he said. You know a politician is serious when they invite you to vote against them...
Hard to believe…but 30 years ago today I walked into the newsroom at KSTP-TV for my first day on 5 Eyewitness News. Eight news directors, 5 presidents, 5 governors, 4 children and 0 world championships (since 1992) by Twins, Vikings, Wild and Timberwolves later…I’m still here!
JUST IN: After more than two hours of debate, the Minnesota Senate passes a voter ID bill 34-32. It would require photo ID’s to register to vote and to vote on Election Day. It faced strong opposition from Senate Democrats and would not likely pass the DFL-controlled House.
Gov. Walz says he was told early yesterday by Mpls Mayor Frey they would likely let the Third Precinct fall. He didn’t agree with it, but wasn’t his call.
"As a public official, it's hypocritical and irresponsible. Constituents have the right to see how their legislator conducted himself, particularly when he made such strong claims about what happened during the traffic stop."
UPDATE: Six days after a statue of Christopher Columbus on the MN State Capitol grounds was torn down by protesters...and 5 days after the governor said those responsible would be held “accountable,” no charges have been filed. The entire crime was documented by many cameras.
KSTP/SURVEYUSA:
Paid Family and Medical Leave?
61% agree
20% disagree
18% not sure
Legalize recreational marijuana?
65% agree
26% disagree
8% Not sure
Free school lunches?
72% agree
21% disagree
7% not sure
On a lighter note, my daughter will soon be the 15th member of my family to attend the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. The Class of 2020 becomes the Class of 2024! They’ll be equipped to handle anything. Go Tommies!
@UofStThomasMN
KSTP/SURVEYUSA: Former Vice President Joe Biden leads President Donald Trump 49% to 40% in our new exclusive poll. Seven percent are undecided. Four percent support other candidates. Poll has a margin of error of +/5.2% and was conducted between 9/4 and 9/7.
None of the key leaders at state or City of Minneapolis level have even communicated on Twitter tonight. Mayor Frey last tweeted 24 hours ago. Gov. Walz 7 hours ago. Attorney General Keith Ellison 7 hours ago. Only MN National Guard has tweeted in past 90 minutes.
At one point are journalists just supposed to roll over and never question anything? It's really quite alarming. I wear a mask because it's easy and worth a shot at slowing transmission, but claims that it's the primary answer to stopping the spread need to be questioned.
Seven years ago Charlie Glockner was the goalie on my son’s first-year Minnetonka Pee Wee C team that won a district championship. Yesterday he was named varsity senior Goalie of the Year in MN one year after winning a state championship. Hard work pays off at every level.
I will never take a haircut for granted again! Feels. So. Damn. Good! My best to all the hair salons, stylists and barbers who’ve been unable to earn income over the past 10 weeks...until today!
DEVELOPING: The Trump rally is apparently moving back to the Rochester airport and limited to less than 250 people. The owner of one of two Dodge Center businesses planning to host the event say they got word from the Secret Service after setting up stands for 6,000 people.
That puts the “rate” below 4%. It also quotes MDH saying the high “number” of cases (not “rate” of cases) might be result of Labor Day activities. This is one day after they told me they won’t know Labor Day impact for 4-6 weeks. Just another day of pandemic reporting...
This is by no means a scientific study, just a look at data. On July 24th, the day before the Minnesota mask mandate took effect, MN had 49,488 COVID cases and a 5% positivity rate. As of today, MDH has reported 333,626 cases and as of Nov. 28 the positivity rate was 11.4%.
A new computer modeling study shows how a flushing toilet can send a cloud of little particles containing fecal matter — which could carry coronavirus — into the air.
Moved my daughter into her dorm at the University of St. Thomas today. In true pandemic fashion she goes home with us today and back on campus next week closer to school start. Great job by UST spreading out the move-in times and days. She can’t wait to go back!
@UofStThomasMN
On 5 Eyewitness News “Nightcast” just now Liz Rammer of Hospitality Minnesota said bar/restaurant industry is on “verge of collapse.” She says outdoor seating-only was “never part of our conversation” with Walz administration. Rammer was guest at Gov news conference recently.
If you don’t see the contrast between what the Vice President said at the exact moment looting and lawlessness are taking root in Mpls you have blinders on. I’m sorry if facts offend you.
This story quotes MDH saying MN is “on the edge of a cliff” regarding COVID-19 cases. It says 1,099 cases reported Friday reflects “ongoing high rate of transmission.” The story does not report the 1,099 cases resulted from more than 29,000 tests, the second highest total so far.
We had a great late-night celebration for Lou Nanne at Mancini’s where he has toasted the end of every tournament for decades. Lou’s 60th and final year broadcasting the tourney. This is my 20th year working with Lou on the tourney and I think he still calls me “the new guy.” 😂
A great 43-year run for meteorologist Dave Dahl is coming to an end on our 6 p.m. 5 Eyewitness News program. He’ll be on until 7 p.m. and then then he’ll ride off into the sunset. Thanks for the memories...Dave! (And all the running and backyard hockey rink forecasts) 🏃🏻🏒🥅
KSTP/SURVEYUSA: With four days to go until Election Day, Democrat Keith Ellison leads Republican Doug Wardlow 44% to 40% with 12% undecided in the MN attorney general’s race. The lead is within the poll’s margin of error of +-5.3%. The two were tied at 41% in our Sept poll.
Gen. Jensen says they were finally given a “law and order” mission early this morning when they helped clear the Third Precinct area in Mpls. Also tasked with protecting State Capitol and assisting MN State Patrol and Mpls Fire Department.
Republicans challenge this claim by DFL Gov. Tim Walz that 80% of MN students "missed fewer than 10 days of in-class learning." We've reached out to the Walz campaign, the MN Dept. of Education and Education Minnesota to see if any of them can provide a source for this claim.
"A lot of parents are upset with what happened with the schools [shutting down during COVID]. Do you think you could've made any other choice?"
Minnesota Democrat Gov. Tim Walz: It wasn't that bad!
MN House and Senate Republicans unveil “Contract to Open MN.” If elected to majorities they say they’ll end governor’s emergency powers and let local officials decide on openings of schools, school sporting events, churches and restaurants. More on 5 Eyewitness News tonight.