Tornadoes touch down in Marion, Plainview

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The Minnesota Legislature’s 2026 session started with reflection about the deadly shootings that killed state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. 

Another lawmaker, state DFL Sen. John Hoffman, and his wife, Yvette, survived a connected shooting at their home. Hoffman was honored in the Senate chamber. 

It was the first time the Legislature had been in order since months of traumatic and tragic events left them and the state grieving and challenged to take action. 

The session will go fast, with just about three months to squeeze everything in. There will be debates about fraud, immigration, guns, taxes, work requirements for benefit recipients, social media guardrails, data center regulations — just to name a few. 

Another thing worth keeping an eye on this year: The tone lawmakers take with each other. 

We’ll have a recap of the first week of session and committee hearings. We’ll also hear from 

, the son of Melissa and Mark Hortman, about grief and finding ways to honor his parents.  

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation or subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on:

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Politics Friday

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The legislative session started on a somber note, colored by multiple tragedies over the last year. We’ll get a look at the first week of the 2026 session and an interview with Colin Hortman, the son of Rep. Melissa Hortman who was killed last June. 

Politics Friday: First week of session opens with Hortman tribute, focus on tragic events

Politics Friday: First week of session opens with Hortman tribute, focus on tragic events

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