Minnesota

2024 election season in full swing, Minnesota preps for primary

Published

11 months ago

January 17, 2024

2024 election season in full swing, Minnesota preps for primary

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – The 2024 election season is in full swing. The GOP of Iowa selected Former President Donald Trump as its preferred presidential candidate on Monday. Now, Minnesota, along with other states, is gearing up to choose its preferred candidate.

Minnesota’s primary will be held March 5, also known as ‘Super Tuesday’. However, voting starts weeks before that. Absentee voting starts as early as January 19.

According to Olmsted County Election Manager Luke Turner, the final touches are being put on the ballot and the county is working on hiring and training election staff.

Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon said this election cycle is going to attract the attention of many.

“This is your chance to get in on the ground floor and help determine who the nominee of your party is going to be,” Simon said.

The ballots are being finalized, but before you cast your vote, you must declare your party. In Minnesota, that is either Republican, DFL, or the Legalize Marijuana Now party. Turner expressed the importance of doing your research before requesting a ballot.

“It’s also a way to express a preference about who ought to be on the ballot later on in November, when the really big decision will come. Not only in the presidential election, but in so many other contests as well,” Simon said.

In 2020, some were fearful of absentee voting and questions around validity spiraled. According to Turner, there are multiple checks and balances ensuring a fair election.

“We have judges from both political parties, Republicans and Democrats, on the ballot board coming back this January, every single ballot that comes in via the mail is reviewed by two election judges before it’s accepted and rejected,” Turner explained.

Turner said ballot requests have rolled in and can be requested as late as March 5, but it’s better to be ahead of the curve.

“I’d encourage you to do it early just to make sure you have time for the mail to go to your house and back. Another option is absentee in person,” Turner said.

Once the ballot is finalized, it will not change. Turner advised staying up to date on candidates. Some could drop out of the race but will still show up on the primary ballot.

For more information about registration and voting, click here.

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Minnesota

Push to make bald eagle national bird took flight in Minnesota

Published

1 hour ago

December 18, 2024

Press Room

Push to make bald eagle national bird took flight in Minnesota

Bald Eagle could soon be national bird

The Bald Eagle is a symbol of American freedom, strength and perseverance, but did you know it was never designated the official national bird? FOX 9’s Maury Glover explains how that could soon change.

(FOX 9) – The bald eagle is poised to be officially recognized as the United States’ national bird as a bipartisan bill is on its way to President Joe Biden’s desk.

History of bald eagle as symbol of United States

The backstory: Back in 1782, Congress put the bald eagle on the national seal and since then, it has been used on everything from passports to currency. But it was never officially designated the national bird, a fact many people assumed it already was.

“Assuming something doesn’t necessarily make it so. So, this is just kind of that official overdue recognition that this is our national symbol. Let’s make it our national bird,” said Ed Hahn, the National Eagle Center director of advancement and marketing communications.

The National Eagle Center in Wabasha is home to four bald eagle ambassadors who help teach visitors about the environment and conservation. But soon the formerly endangered species could be soaring to new heights.

“It’s a very cool development and surprising to most people,” said Hahn.

Push to name bald eagle as national bird

What we know: Preston Cook, whose 40,000 piece collection of eagle memorabilia is housed at the eagle center, discovered the oversight while he was writing a book about the birds.

Cook urged Minnesota lawmakers in Washington D.C. to introduce legislation naming the bald eagle the national bird, which passed the U.S. Senate back in July and the U.S. House on Monday. The bill is now headed to President Biden’s desk to make the designation official.

“Here we are a country that doesn’t have a national bird. Now, every state, all 50 states have a state bird, but we don’t have a national bird. So it is time I felt that this should be done,” said Cook.

Dig deeper: The bald eagle bounced back from near extinction in the late 60s and 70s and the eagle center hopes giving the country’s most prominent bird a new title will help the species continue to spread its wings for years to come.

“I think any time that we’re able to elevate something like the bald eagle in high into the public eye, it raises awareness and appreciation for our natural resources, for the environment, for conservation, which are all important,” said Hahn.

The bald eagle will join the rose as the national flower, the oak as the national tree and the bison as the national mammal.

What we don’t know: While the bill has been sent to President Biden’s desk, it’s unknown when he may sign the bill into law.

Wild NaturePets and AnimalsMinnesotaPolitics

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Minnesota

New York takes road win streak into matchup with Minnesota

Published

9 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Press Room

New York takes road win streak into matchup with Minnesota

Associated Press

New York Knicks (16-10, third in the Eastern Conference) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (14-11, seventh in the Western Conference)

Minneapolis; Thursday, 9:30 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Timberwolves -2; over/under is 213.5

BOTTOM LINE: New York hits the road against Minnesota trying to prolong its three-game road winning streak.

The Timberwolves are 8-4 in home games. Minnesota is eighth in the Western Conference with 33.3 defensive rebounds per game led by Rudy Gobert averaging 7.6.

The Knicks have gone 8-6 away from home. New York ranks fifth in the Eastern Conference with 27.7 assists per game led by Jalen Brunson averaging 7.7.

The Timberwolves are shooting 45.9% from the field this season, 0.3 percentage points lower than the 46.2% the Knicks allow to opponents. The Knicks average 14.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.6 more made shots on average than the 11.6 per game the Timberwolves allow.

TOP PERFORMERS: Anthony Edwards is averaging 26.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists for the Timberwolves.

Karl-Anthony Towns is scoring 24.8 points per game with 13.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists for the Knicks.

LAST 10 GAMES: Timberwolves: 6-4, averaging 104.6 points, 46.2 rebounds, 25.0 assists, 9.4 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 44.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 97.4 points per game.

Knicks: 7-3, averaging 114.6 points, 42.7 rebounds, 28.0 assists, 7.8 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 49.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.4 points.

INJURIES: Timberwolves: Joe Ingles: day to day (soleus).

Knicks: Ariel Hukporti: day to day (ankle), Mitchell Robinson: out (ankle).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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