Midwest
Minnesota Dem lawmaker defends Walz against 'radical' label from GOP: 'Couldn't disagree more'
Nick Frentz, a Democratic state senator from Minnesota, is coming to the defense of vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as he faces claims regarding his leadership and criticism over state policy.
Several Republican state lawmakers told Fox that Walz was “difficult” to work with during their time working alongside him in the legislature.
Frentz, who currently represents the city of North Mankato, painted a different picture, telling Fox News Digital that in his experience, Walz is “very straightforward and very easy to work with.”
“He was a high school teacher and football coach in the ’90s when he started his family in Mankato. He’s genuine, down to earth. He’s honest. He’s the kind of person that you can enjoy,” Frentz said in an exclusive interview. “His rural roots are real, and his commitment to everybody in the country, including rural America, is quite real. And I think his record says that.”
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Minnesota State Sen. Nick Frentz, left, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz fishing at Madison Lake. (Nick Frentz)
“We’ve passed legislation that’s had bipartisan support. We haven’t always agreed and so, if ‘difficult’ to work with means we don’t always agree, then I guess. But I think a better description would be he’s a Democrat governor in a state that leans Democrat, and while both Democrats and Republicans haven’t got what they wanted, I think the state as a whole has done very well,” he said.
Frentz also countered claims that Walz leans heavily to the left, a charge brought forth by Minnesota GOP Chair David Hann, who branded Walz as “far from a moderate,” and the Trump campaign, which has labeled Walz a “radical.”
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“We support biofuels — very important to our agriculture economy. He’s been a leader on that. We’ve supported water infrastructure that small towns and rural areas need very badly. And we support a tax policy, including cuts to Social Security taxes. So all of those things show a commitment to greater Minnesota. And as he used to say, ‘I don’t just represent greater Minnesota. I wake up there,’” said Frentz.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz awaits the arrival of Vice President Kamala Harris at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in Saint Paul, Minnesota, on March 14. (Stephen Maturen)
The governor has also been heavily criticized for his handling of the 2020 riots that saw several local businesses burned down and the Third Precinct police station abandoned after the murder of George Floyd.
“What I criticize is that half the people that were arrested were not from the Twin Cities metro area,” Frentz said. “Every state leader has to stand for the proposition that Americans have the freedom to peaceably assemble. But it ends when they start doing damage to property. And I think Gov. Walz felt that way, too.”
Walz has “the right voice” for “not simply supporting policies and legislation that help rural America, but also opposing things that are not good for rural America,” he said.
“I have never heard him say a bad word about southern Minnesotans, whether they vote Republican or Democrat,” Frentz added. “I think that’s exactly the kind of leadership the country needs. ‘All in it together’ doesn’t mean we don’t disagree, but I’d want people to know this is someone who has visited farms with us, someone who has talked about rural issues, someone who cares about the agriculture, economy, and someone who is not just talking about it, but has passed bills and those bills that are in the interest of rural America.”
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Cleveland, OH
Cleveland firefighters battle house fire on city’s West Side
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Multiple fire companies battled a house fire in Cleveland’s Stockyard neighborhood Monday night.
Crews were called to the fire at a house in the 4200 block of Fenwick Avenue just before 7 P.M.
According to Lt. Mike Norman of the Cleveland Fire Department, there were reports of a transformer explosion and multiple power lines down in the area.
Check here for the latest outage information on the Cleveland Public Power website.
The fire is under control.
Fire companies are also going door to door checking for issues. Some homes in the area had their electrical meters blown off.
The cause of the fire is currently unknown.
Please avoid the area.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Illinois
Illinois House speaker pushing for new millionaire tax with looming $2.2B budget deficit
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WLS) — Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch is pushing for a new tax on millionaires as the General Assembly gets ready to return to work in Springfield next week.
It comes as lawmakers face a $2.2 billion budget deficit.
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This is an election year budget: So, if Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was hoping for state approval for some progressive tax ideas he’s floated, he might have to wait another year.
But state lawmakers appear ready to ask the wealthy to pay more.
“Nothing new, we’ve done it before,” the Democratic speaker said.
Welch, in a recent interview, was seemingly unfazed by the $2 billion deficit.
“Tomorrow is my five-year anniversary as speaker of the House. And I think every year, in January, going into the start of session, we’ve been faced with a deficit,” Welch said.
This session, the focus will be on affordability. It’s something that Democrats and Republicans define differently.
“In the veto session, passing that transit reform bill was historic. If that’s not an affordability bill, I don’t know what is,” Welch said.
“Under him, over the last five years, our budget, it’s gone from $40 billion to $55 billion. So, I don’t really know what affordability means to me. One thing that it cannot mean, and I don’t think it will mean in a campaign year, is increase in taxes,” House Republican Leader state Rep. Tony McCombie said.
Speaker Welch suggested Mayor Johnson’s hopes for state approval for progressive taxes, such as one on professional services, may go nowhere.
“We’re going to put those things through the hopper like we would any other idea. I don’t know if there’s an appetite for anything right now,” Welch said.
A tax surcharge on incomes over a million dollars, modeled after Massachusetts, which Forbes reports saw a windfall of $5.7 billion during the first two years, is possible, he said.
“I have been a very big believer that the wealthy should pay more, that they should pay their fair share, and I think a surcharge tax on millionaires is an easy way to do it,” Welch said.
“You know, I think it’d just be another thing to make us unfriendly to folks that have assets and resources to come here and want to build and grow their businesses,” McCombie said.
As for the Bears, Welch said he’d be open to state infrastructure help at the Arlington Heights property, but that’s about it.
“When it comes to the Bears. I don’t know if folks want us to make that a top priority,” Welch said.
Welch said some of the focus this session will be to address rising home insurance rates and property taxes.
And while he says Mayor Johnson and his team have gotten better at communicating with legislative leaders, he said they should not wait until April or May to make their requests.
Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Indiana
National championship game predictions, picks, odds for Indiana vs Miami
Indiana’s Peach Bowl win over Oregon secures national championship spot
Indiana’s impressive victory over Oregon in the Peach Bowl propels them to the national championship game.
Indiana and Miami will face off in the national championship game in a matchup between unlikely foes.
The No. 1 Hoosiers (15-0), ranked No. 19 in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll, has dominated nearly everyone they’ve faced this season and are coming off a 56-22 win over Oregon and a 38-3 win over Alabama to reach the title game.
Meanwhile, the No. 10 Hurricanes (13-2) are amid an impressive run of their own. After nearly missing out on a College Football Playoff bid, Miami has upset Texas A&M on the road and taken down Ohio State and Ole Miss to set up a bout with Indiana.
The national championship game will be held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, where the Hurricanes play their home games. Indiana’s fan base has traveled in droves for its two CFP games, though.
Who’s going to come out on top? Here are the latest odds along with the matchups to watch in the national championship game.
Indiana vs Miami national championship game odds
Odds from BetMGM as of Jan. 12.
Indiana is favored against Miami in the 2025-26 national championship game. Here are the latest odds.
- Spread: Indiana (-8.5)
- Over/under: 48.5
- Moneyline: Indiana -350 | Miami +270
National championship game Indiana vs Miami matchups to watch
Fernando Mendoza vs. Miami pass rush
Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza has been outstanding in the CFP, with eight touchdowns to only five incompletions in two starts against Alabama and Oregon. Miami’s pass rush has been the most dominant in the CFP, though.
The Hurricanes are led by edge duo Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor, both of which are projected first-round picks. The duo has 19 combined sacks this season, including 7.5 of which have come in the CFP. Defensive back Keionte Scott has also been a weapon defensively, with two sacks and a forced fumble against Texas A&M and a 72-yard pick-six against Ohio State.
Mendoza has rarely been sped up this season by an opposing defense, and Indiana’s offensive line has allowed 22 sacks this season. If Miami is able to win, it’s likely due to its best two defensive players causing havoc.
Can Carson Beck find success through the air?
Miami quarterback Carson Beck wasn’t asked to do much in wins against Texas A&M and Ohio State, passing for a combined 241 yards with two combined touchdowns. However, he was a huge reason the Hurricanes won against Ole Miss, as he passed for 268 yards with two touchdowns while rushing for a game-winning score in the final seconds of the game.
Beck will have to play similar to how he did against the Rebels against Indiana’s tough defense, which ranks No. 4 nationally in total defense (260.9 yards per game).
Beck, a sixth-year senior, might need to play one of his best games of his career against the Hoosiers, who pair two of the best offensive and defensive units in college football this season.
Indiana receivers vs. Miami secondary
Indiana’s trio of Elijah Sarratt, Omar Cooper Jr. and Charlie Becker have been next-to impossible to stop in the CFP, and pose a huge challenge with their speed and length.
Sarratt, who stands 6-2, leads the country with 15 touchdown receptions this season and caught two scores against Oregon in the Peach Bowl. Cooper Jr. leads the team with 64 receptions for 866 yards and 13 touchdowns this season, and has been the Hoosiers’ best middle-of-the-field attacker.
Becker, the 6-4 sophomore, has emerged of late as Indiana’s best deep threat. He climbed the ladder for a 36-yard touchdown reception against Oregon, and has gains of 30, 36 and 51 yards in Indiana’s past three games.
Miami has been very solid against the pass this season, ranking No. 17 nationally allowing a passing efficiency of 114.70.
Indiana vs Miami predictions in national championship game
Here are our expert predictions for Indiana vs. Miami in the national championship game:
Austin Curtright: Indiana 24, Miami 23
It’s wild to think Indiana was coming off a 3-9 finish in 2023 when it hired Curt Cignetti, who led James Madison from FCS to FBS during his tenure. The Hoosiers, one of the worst Power Four college football programs historically, have accomplished one of the greatest turnarounds of the modern era, regardless of if they defeat Miami in the national championship.
It won’t be easy for Indiana. Miami is playing its best football at the right time and has the most ferocious pass rush in the sport, holding Ole Miss’ high-powered offense to two touchdowns in the Fiesta Bowl.
Ultimately, I trust Indiana’s veteran roster, along with Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who has the edge over opposing quarterback Carson Beck. Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor will make things tough for the projected No. 1 overall pick, though.
Give me the Hoosiers on a last-second score, resulting in an unprecedented title for the former Big Ten doormat-turned college football power of the future.
Kevin Skiver: Indiana 24, Miami 10
When an unstoppable force meets an immovable object, we find out which one of those things is actually true. In this case, the staunch Hurricanes finally budge and Indiana — yes, Indiana — stands atop the college football world when the dust settles.
Picking against Miami hasn’t done anyone any favors to this point, but Indiana has carved out a war path. It has met every stumbling block head-on. A long layover before the Rose Bowl? Not a problem, 38-3 over Alabama. A difficult rematch against Oregon? Try 56-22 in a game that saw Oregon score a garbage time touchdown to even make it that “close.” Fernando Mendoza has been all but perfect, and his offensive line has neutralized everything in front of it.
That brings us to Miami. Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor are the best pass rushing duo Indiana has seen this year. But Indiana’s Joe Moore finalist line has given Mendoza all of the time he needs and then some to find Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr., not even to mention Kaelon Black and Roman Hemby in the running game. It’s pretty simple: Indiana has simply been better than everyone it has played this year. Why should that change in the final game of the season?
Matt Glenesk: Indiana 35, Miami 24
Miami’s swagger and physicality will test Indiana’s seeming invincibility. The Hurricanes’ pass rush will be the key because Fernando Mendoza has been absolutely surgical in two CFP games: eight touchdowns, five incompletions. Read that again. Eight touchdowns. Five incompletions. Miami’s run game should be able to keep the Hoosiers’ offense off the field, but Indiana’s efficiency doesn’t really rely on them needing the ball too much. As part of the nation’s largest alumni base, I can’t pick against Indiana. Having endured years of ineptitude, the layers of scar tissue are starting to heal as belief has turned into expectation. I expect Indiana to win every game now. And yes, that includes a national championship. Is this real life?
What time does the national championship game start?
- Date: Monday, Jan. 19
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
The 2026 CFP national championship game is set for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on Monday, Jan. 19.
Where is CFP national championship game?
- Location: Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)
The national title game will be held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, which is coincidentally the home stadium for the Hurricanes. The venue is also home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins.
What TV channel is CFP national championship game on?
The CFP national championship game, like the vast majority of the playoff, will air live on ESPN. Streaming options for the game include the ESPN app or Fubo, which offers a free trial.
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