CHICAGO, Illinois, Feb. 8 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Midwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on Feb. 7, 2025, entitled "Changing Compensation Costs in the Minneapolis Metropolitan Area - December 2024": * * * Compensation costs for private industry workers increased 3.7 percent in the Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI Combined Statistical Area (CSA) for the year ended December 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported toda  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release: * * * Congresswoman McCollum: Republicans in Congress are Abdicating their Oversight Responsibility WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) released the following statement on Thursday: "Since Day One of his presidency, Trump has brazenly defied the laws and Constitution of the United States to ram through his radical MAGA agenda. This week, we learned he illegally allowed an unelecte  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration has released the following public communication dated Dec. 26, 2024, from the California Department of Transportation: * * * To: Director Matthew Wellbes Federal Transit Administration 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Washington, DC 20590 Docket FTA-2024-0015: Proposed Circular Updates * * * Dear Director Wellbes, Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) prop  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- Rep. Brad Finstad, R-Minnesota, issued the following news release: * * * Finstad Helps Introduce Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) and Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) introduced the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act. This legislation will help grow and strengthen the workforce by allowing individuals to use their 529 savings accounts to cover the costs of workforce training and credentiali  more

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, Feb. 8 -- Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release: Governor Tim Walz today announced that the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has formally established a centralized state fraud investigations unit. At the direction of Governor Walz, the Minnesota Department of Commerce's fraud investigators moved to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to create a centralized Fraud and Financial Crimes Unit, where they will have g  more

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, Feb. 8 -- The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development issued the following news release: * * * Governor Walz to Lead Business Development Mission to the Netherlands [ST. PAUL, MN] - Governor Tim Walz today announced he will lead a business development mission to the Netherlands from February 17-19, with stops in Eindhoven, The Hague, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and Delft. The mission will focus on showcasing the state as a top destination for business invest  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- Rep. Brian Mast, R-Florida, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following news release on Feb. 7, 2025: Yesterday, The Washington Post published an op-ed exposing how Democrats long championed merging the United States Agency for International Development with the State Department before their hypocritical U-turn. Marc A. Thiessen writes for the Post: "Shuttering USAID is not some evil MAGA plot. In fact, it was first proposed by a Democrat -- Sec  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- The House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittees on Highways and Transit issued the following information for a hearing entitled "America Builds: A Review of Programs to Address Roadway Safety" at 10 a.m. on Feb. 12, 2025, at 2167 Rayburn House Office Building: Witness List: * Honorable James H. Willox, Commissioner, Converse County, Wyoming, on behalf of the National Association of Counties * Michael Hanson, Director, Office of Traffic Safety, Minnesota Departm  more

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, Feb. 8 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa issued the following news release on Feb. 7, 2025: * * * Young Woman Died After Using Cocaine Distributed as Part of Trafficking Conspiracy * * * A man who conspired with others to distribute large quantities of cocaine that resulted in the death of a young Dubuque woman was sentenced today to more than 16 years in federal prison. Michael Samuel Knight, age 38, from Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, rece  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division has released the following public communication dated Jan. 16, 2025, from the National Women's Law Center: * * * To: Daniel Navarrete Director, Division of Regulations, Legislation, and Interpretation Wage & Hour Division, U.S. Department of Labor 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Room S-3502 Washington, DC 20210 Re: Comments in Support of Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, RIN 1235-AA14, Employment of Workers with Disabiliti  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- Rep. John B. Larson, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: * * * Larson, Wittman, and Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act Washington, D.C. - Today, Reps. John B. Larson (CT-01) and Rob Wittman (VA-01) introduced the bipartisan Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act. This bill will help more Americans obtain good-paying jobs that do not require a traditional college education by allowing the use of 529 account f  more

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, Feb. 8 -- The Minnesota Farmers Union issued the following news release on Feb. 7, 2025: * * * MFU President speaks against tariffs ST. PAUL - Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) President Gary Wertish spoke against across-the-board tariffs during a Friday morning press conference hosted by Minnesota's senior Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. They were joined by Minnesota State Building and Construction Trades Council President Dan McConnell. President Donald Trump has imposed an ad  more

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, Feb. 8 -- Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release: Governor Tim Walz today announced he will lead a business development mission to the Netherlands from February 17-19, with stops in Eindhoven, The Hague, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and Delft. The mission will focus on showcasing the state as a top destination for business investment, developing new partnership opportunities, and strengthening existing ties and investments. "Business development missions pr  more

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, Feb. 8 -- Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release on Feb. 7, 2025: Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the following appointments to the Board of Animal Health; Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience, and Interior Design; Board of Dentistry; Board of the Perpich Center for Arts Education; MN Board on Aging; State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind; and the State Reha  more

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, Feb. 8 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota issued the following news release: Sharon Denise Ross, 54, of Willernie, Minnesota, has been sentenced to 43 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for her role in a $250 million fraud scheme that exploited a federally funded child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. Ross was also ordered to pay restitution in the  more

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, Feb. 8 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota issued the following news release: Four additional defendants have pleaded guilty for their roles in the $250 million fraud scheme that exploited a federally funded child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. First, according to court documents, at times between October 2020 and January 2022, Abduljabar Hussein, 44, of Shakopee, Minnesota  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Washington, issued the following news release: * * * Newhouse Strengthens Market Access for Farmers in Bipartisan Legislation WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced the Agriculture Export Promotion Act of 2025 to increase funding to the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development Program (FMD) and help American farmers compete in global markets. "Farmers in Central Washington, and across the country, rely on st  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release: * * * Rep. Ilhan Omar Reintroduces the Department of Peacebuilding Act, Continuing the Legacy of Dennis Kucinich, Mark Dayton, and Barbara Lee WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN) is proud to reintroduce the Department of Peacebuilding Act, legislation to establish a cabinet-level Department of Peacebuilding (DoP) dedicated to preventing violence and fostering a culture of peace at home and ab  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- Rep. Michelle Fischbach, R-Minnesota, issued the following news release on Feb. 6, 2025: Today, the House passed the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act, or the HALT Fentanyl Act. This legislation would make the currently temporary Schedule I category for fentanyl, or anything mixed with it, permanent. "Fentanyl is now the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18 - 49. It affects every income level in every demographic in every corner of the country. Even in   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release: * * * Reps. Craig, Smith, Bipartisan Colleagues Urge EPA to Prioritize Biofuels as Part of Administration's Energy Agenda WASHINGTON, DC - This week, Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN) and Adrian Smith (R-NE) led nearly 30 colleagues in urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to prioritize renewable fuels as the Agency works to set the new Administration's energy agenda. In a bipartisan letter t  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, issued the following news release: * * * Schatz, Senate Democrats Hold Senate Floor All Night To Oppose Confirmation of Right-Wing Author of Project 2025 To Lead Budget, Management Office WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i) joined members of the Senate Democratic caucus in holding the Senate floor for 30 consecutive hours in order to delay the confirmation of Russell Vought, the right-wing author of Project 2025, to be Director  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, issued the following statement on Feb. 7, 2025: * * * U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) released the statement below following the firing of Federal Election Commission Commissioner and Chair Ellen Weintraub by the Trump Administration. "A fully functioning Federal Election Commission is critical to safeguarding our democracy. At a time when we should be working to take on corruption and strengthen trust in our political institutions, Pr  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), joined by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Peter Welch (D-VT), introduced the Preventing Algorithmic Collusion Act to prevent companies from using algorithms to collude to set higher prices. As recent reporting, a Justice Department lawsuit,   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- Rep. Sam Graves, R-Missouri, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued the following news release on Feb. 7, 2025: Highways and Transit Subcommittee Chairman David Rouzer (R-NC) announced that the Subcommittee will hold a hearing with stakeholders to discuss the Department of Transportation's (DOT) policies and programs that focus on improving roadway safety. Members will be given the opportunity to ask witnesses about key safety problems a  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 -- Rep. Kelly Morrison, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison sent a letter (https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:3eb4136b-3b26-450c-a1ed-3d718ad88268) with 60 House Democratic colleagues to President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Acting Secretary of Commerce Jeremy Pelter, and Acting United States Trade Representative Juan Millan, demanding the administration rescind the executive order levying a 2  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- Rep. Kelly Morrison, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison (D-MN) joined Representatives Richard Hudson (R-NC), Joe Neguse (D-CO), Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), Morgan Luttrell (R-TX), Ro Khanna (D-CA) in introducing the Love Lives On Act to ensure military spouses of fallen servicemembers maintain access to survivor benefits if they remarry, regardless of age. This bipartisan legislation is being led in the Senate by Senator  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- Rep. Kelly Morrison, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release: U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison (MN-03) is joining her colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives in introducing the Taxpayer Data Protection Act. This legislation is a direct response to Elon Musk's illegal invasion of Americans' privacy. It will stop people with conflicts of interest or without a security clearance from being able to access Americans' most sensitive personal information, like So  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release: * * * U.S. Rep. McCollum: The White House Needs to Tell Congress what Elon Musk and his Team are Doing WASHINGTON, D.C. -- On Thursday, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) joined over 150 of her Democratic colleagues in a letter (see attachment) to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent demanding answers about the alarming access to payment systems reportedly given to Elon Musk. Later Thursday, Congresswoman  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- Rep. Robert J. Wittman, R-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Wittman Reintroduces Bipartisan Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act WASHINGTON -- Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA-01) reintroduced the bipartisan Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act, which would permit the use of 529 account funds to pay for post-secondary training programs. This will help more Americans obtain and retain well-paying jobs that don't require a traditional  more