Eight Minnesota DFL lawmakers have proposed a bill that would penalize cities and counties that do not fly the 2024 Minnesota state flag. 

“The commissioner of revenue must reduce the aid to a county or city … ten percent if the county or city flies or otherwise makes use of a state flag other than the design of the state flag as certified in the report of the State Emblems Redesign Commission,” the proposal says.

State DFL Rep. Mike Frieberg is one of the authors of the bill.

“I’ve been a little disappointed in the cities around Minnesota that have been kind of manufacturing this culture war over this state flag,” said Freiberg. “I felt like it was important for there to kind of be a statement legislatively in support of the new state flag, which is the official state flag.”

Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth, who is also running for Minnesota governor, says the bill has no chance.

“That bill is dead on arrival. There is no way this bill is moving through,” said Demuth. “To know that Democrats are trying to take funding away from our police and fire, from our cities, it’s ridiculous. We have real work that could help Minnesotans.”

On Monday, the Inver Grove Heights City Council voted to fly the old state flag on city property after more than an hour of public comment, joining other cities across the state, including Elk River, Champlin, Zumbrota and Plainview, in doing so.

Inver Grove Heights officials expect the switch back to the old flag will cost around $500 and take a few weeks to complete.

In 2023, the Legislature, which was DFL-controlled at the time, created a flag commission tasked with redesigning the flag and the state seal. The newly created symbols took effect in 2024. Freiberg helped lead the effort as lawmakers criticized the flag design and depiction of Native Americans.

“The old flag is not only kind of boring but also kind of racist,” Freiberg said.

Demuth says the flag commission’s decision process didn’t truly represent people across the state.

“They felt as Minnesotans, they were disrespected in the process and everyone I have talked to wants the old flag back or at least a choice in the matter,” she said.

The redesign commission said it heard over 20,000 public comments and considered more than 2,000 designs.

“We heard from thousands of Minnesotans as part of the flag process. It’s the job of the Legislature to choose the state symbols. That’s what we did. We followed the process,” Freiberg said.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (FOX 9) – Shots were fired outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington D.C. Saturday night. President Donald Trump and top members of his cabinet were in attendance and unharmed.

Federal officials say they are investigating the accused gunman’s grievances against the Trump administration he sent to family shortly before the incident. 

Minnesota elected officials on both sides of the aisle condemned that acts of political violence, and thanked law enforcement for their swift efforts to keep attendees safe.

Close call 

What we know:

Video showed the chaotic moments when guests inside the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner took cover under tables, and Secret Service agents rushed President Donald Trump and his cabinet to safety.

Authorities released security footage, showing what led up to the panic in the ballroom at the Washington Hilton Saturday night. Law enforcement officials say an armed man rushed the checkpoint and exchanged gunfire before Secret Service agents took him into custody. The shooting suspect has been identified as 31-year-old Cole Allen.

Officials say he had traveled by train from Los Angeles to Chicago, then onto Washington, D.C., and had checked into that hotel days earlier.

What we don’t know:

Investigators are looking for possible motives. Federal officials say they are investigating the accused gunman’s grievances against the Trump administration.

Authorities say they have reason to believe this was a politically-motivated attack, citing writings the accused gunman sent to family members shortly before shots were fired.

Minnesota leaders react

What they’re saying:

Minnesota officials are denouncing any form of political violence.

Gov. Tim Walz taking to social media writing, “political violence has become all too prevalent in America. I’m grateful for the swift response from law enforcement.”

Minnesota Representative and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer attended the event and was seen being helped out of the ballroom. Emmer clarifying on FOX News, he had a previous foot problem and is in a cast, so he needed assistance exiting the event.

Emmer also took to social media and thanked law enforcement for their bravery and added “political violence will never be tolerated.”

FOX 9 political analyst Blois Olson says the incident has revived conversations about political violence in Minnesota.

“It reminds us of the heightened sense of the country, of our state. We’ve experienced political violence here in Minnesota,” said Olson. “I think it’s a reminder as we approach June 14 in Minnesota that it was less than a year ago that violence against elected officials in Minnesota happened. We have to turn down the temperature, find a more civil way forward.”

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s office also confirming he attended the dinner and is okay, and is grateful for law enforcement’s quick response.

What’s next:

Prosecutors say the suspect is preliminarily facing two charges related to using a firearm and assaulting an officer with a dangerous weapon, but more charges could be filed later.