Politics and Government News

Get the latest in Minnesota politics: 🎧 Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast | 📧 Sign up for the Capitol View newsletter

St. Paul to introduce some of the strictest tobacco rules in the nation
The City Council on Wednesday will introduce a new ordinance that would set a $10 minimum price on a pack of cigarettes and ban coupons and other discounts at retail outlets, among other things.
Most state workers get a COVID shot; tensions rise around those who haven't
Minnesota’s month-old vaccine policy for state employees has led most workers to attest to having their shots. But among those who haven’t been vaccinated, the implementation of a testing alternative is drawing criticism.
Walz calls for vaccine and testing requirements for teachers
Gov. Tim Walz is calling on lawmakers to approve a series of new measures to respond to the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, including vaccine and testing requirements for teachers and school staff, and for long-term care workers. 
What’s on the ballot: The Minneapolis public safety charter amendment
In November, Minneapolis voters will say “yes” or “no” to replacing the Minneapolis Police Department with a new Department of Public Safety. Host Angela Davis speaks with a supporter and an opponent of the ballot measure and with MPR News reporter Jon Collins.
As he steps down as the head of NIH, he has a warning about future pandemics
Francis Collins has been director of the National Institutes of Health since 2009 and served under three U.S. presidents. NIH is the largest funder of basic and clinical biomedical research in the world.