Politics and Government News

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Walz targets smoking, vaping with higher taxes
Gov. Tim Walz wants to discourage young people from using nicotine by raising taxes, but Republicans in the Legislature say no matter what the aim, they won’t support higher taxes.
Congress approves budget, paving the way for Biden's COVID-19 relief package
Congressional committees now move to the to the next stage of finalizing the details of President Biden's $1.9 trillion bill. Democrats are using process that could approve it with a party-line vote.
Biden pledged historic cabinet diversity. Here's how his nominees stack up
President Joe Biden's core group of advisers is more racially diverse and has more women than those of former Presidents Donald Trump or Barack Obama. See a list of the picks and their experience.
Senate says no to $15 minimum wage for now, but Democrats vow to push on
Raising the federal minimum wage to $15 remains a priority of President Joe Biden and Democrats after the Senate approved an amendment prohibiting a wage increase during the pandemic.
Senate OKs fast-track of COVID aid, Harris casts tie-breaker
The Senate early Friday approved a budget resolution that's a key step toward fast-track passage of President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan without support from Republicans. Vice President Kamala Harris was in the chair to cast the tie-breaking vote, her first.
One thing millennials aren't killing? Public transportation
Urban living, concern for the environment and a lack of romanticism about cars are some of the reasons why many are trying to save it.
Election officials say combating lies will be big challenge
Top election officials across the country are looking ahead to future elections and grappling with how they can counter a wave of lies and misinformation, after a 2020 election season dominated by conspiracy theories and false claims about voting. 
Minneapolis police staffing woes worse than anticipated
A City Council committee gives initial approval for the chief’s plan to hire dozens more officers by the end of the year.
Voting company sues Fox, Giuliani over election fraud claims
A voting technology company is suing Fox News, three of its top hosts, Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell for $2.7 billion, charging that the defendants conspired to spread false claims that the company helped steal the U.S. presidential election away from former President Donald Trump. 
Wisconsin governor issues new mask mandate after GOP repeal
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers says his priority is keeping people safe and that wearing a mask is the most basic way to do that. Republicans who voted to repeal the order say the Democratic governor has exceeded his authority by issuing new public health emergencies rather than having the Legislature approve extensions.