ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Minnesota appears to be in a constitutional crisis on day one of the legislative session.

Constitutional crisis

What we know:

The war over control of the House saw its first air strikes on Tuesday, with Democrats staying away and Republicans seizing control.

A half empty House greeted Secretary of State Steve Simon as he launched the 2025 session.

But after a roll call, Simon said there weren’t enough members to do any business.

“There being 67 members present, there is no quorum as required by the Constitution of the state of Minnesota,” the Secretary of State said. “The House may not conduct any further business and the House of Representatives is adjourned.”

“The House is not adjourned,” interjected Rep. Harry Niska, (R-Ramsey). “You do not have authority over the House of Representatives.”

‘Attempted coup’

Dig deeper:

As Simon walked away, Republicans took over and ran the day’s session as if nothing had happened.

They cast a unanimous vote for Rep. Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) as Speaker of the House, which would make her the state’s first person of color in the role.

The DFL caucus watched it happen from 30 miles away.

“What we saw today was an attempted coup,” said Rep. Jamie Long (DFL-Minneapolis).

Dozens of members made Shakopee headquarters for the day.

They called the Republican session a sham, but they recognize people across the state may have strong feelings when they see video of their empty seats.

“I would imagine that Minnesotans are irritated with both of us,” said Rep. Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park). “I would imagine that they’re irritated with us for not being there. And I would imagine they’re irritated with Republicans for wanting to throw out a duly elected member, especially on the day that the courts ruled that he clearly won.”

Room for agreement?

Big picture view:

Democrats have offered to give Republicans majority control until they’re no longer a majority, likely in February, instead of for a full two years.

Republicans say every offer they’ve heard is unreasonable.

“What we are offering is to come in,” said Rep. Demuth. “I am the Speaker of the House, and we look forward to working with them over the next two years in a reasonable way.”

What’s next:

Republicans say they intend to come every day and go about House business.

Democrats started their day in Shakopee with a judge ruling in favor of Rep. Brad Tabke.

Despite the ruling, Republicans are still threatening to vote not to seat Rep. Tabke.

Democrats will now go to the Supreme Court to stop Republicans from blocking Rep. Tabke and from ruling the House while they’re not around.

They’re hoping a ruling could come within a couple of weeks.

Associated Press

Golden State Warriors (19-20, 12th in the Western Conference) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (21-18, eighth in the Western Conference)

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

BOTTOM LINE: Minnesota plays the Golden State Warriors after Anthony Edwards scored 41 points in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 120-106 victory against the Washington Wizards.

The Timberwolves have gone 16-11 against Western Conference opponents. Minnesota averages 109.6 points and has outscored opponents by 2.0 points per game.

The Warriors are 14-13 in Western Conference play. Golden State is fourth in the NBA with 12.7 offensive rebounds per game led by Kevon Looney averaging 3.0.

The Timberwolves average 109.6 points per game, 1.0 fewer point than the 110.6 the Warriors give up. The Warriors average 15.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.3 more made shots on average than the 12.7 per game the Timberwolves allow.

TOP PERFORMERS: Rudy Gobert is scoring 10.1 points per game and averaging 10.5 rebounds for the Timberwolves.

Stephen Curry is averaging 22.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists for the Warriors.

LAST 10 GAMES: Timberwolves: 6-4, averaging 111.1 points, 46.5 rebounds, 24.1 assists, 6.2 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.7 points per game.

Warriors: 4-6, averaging 105.7 points, 44.7 rebounds, 27.3 assists, 9.5 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 43.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.7 points.

INJURIES: Timberwolves: Terrence Shannon Jr.: day to day (ankle), Rob Dillingham: out (ankle).

Warriors: Trayce Jackson-Davis: day to day (hand), Brandin Podziemski: out (abdominal), Gary Payton II: out (calf), Jonathan Kuminga: day to day (ankle), Draymond Green: day to day (back).

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

We’re right around ninety minutes away from kicking things off at State Farm Stadium between the Los Angeles Rams and the Minnesota Vikings in tonight’s NFC Wild Card contest. Both teams have released their inactive lists, so let’s see who will be sitting this one out.

Minnesota Vikings

• OL Dan Feeney
• QB Daniel Jones (emergency QB)
• OLB Pat Jones II
• DL Levi Drake Rodriguez
• OL Walter Rouse

No tremendous surprises on the inactive lists on the Vikings’ side. After some speculation that Jones could potentially be the #2 quarterback in this one, he will fill Brett Rypien’s role as the emergency quarterback with Nick Mullens remaining as the backup to Sam Darnold.

Los Angeles Rams

• QB Stetson Bennett
• OL Justin Dedich
• CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr.
• OLB Brennan Jackson
• WR Tyler Johnson
• OL Joe Noteboom

No significant surprises on the inactive list for the Rams in this one.

Those are your inactive lists for tonight’s game, ladies and gentlemen. We’ll have our first discussion thread of the night dropping at around 6:30 PM Central, and we hope that you’ll be joining us!