Firing of state agency director raises questions

The Pioneer Press says Republican House Speaker Kurt Zellers told the director of the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources she was being let go so the commission could go in a different direction. DFLers are shocked and say the commission itself had no complaints and should have sole authority to make firing decisions. The commission helps direct lottery proceeds to environmental and natural resources projects.

Author:
BMTN Staff
Updated:
Mar 8, 2018
Original:
Dec 21, 2011

The Pioneer Press says Republican House Speaker Kurt Zellers told the director of the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources she was being let go so the commission could go in a different direction. DFLers are shocked and say the commission itself had no complaints and should have sole authority to make firing decisions. The commission helps direct lottery proceeds to environmental and natural resources projects.

Baby owl

A "baby shower" fundraising campaign hopes to help return young raptors to the wild.

Prince

The block next to the First Avenue nightclub will be named Prince Rogers Nelson Way.

storm, radar, severe weather

The holiday weekend won't be a washout, but multiple rounds of strong and severe storms are possible.

Screen Shot 2022-05-26 at 4.45.15 PM

Shawn Lawrence Jacobs, 38, faces 12 felony-level charges.

3100 Bloomington Ave.

A group of Powderhorn Park residents say they'll withhold May rent due to health and safety concerns.

Screen Shot 2022-05-26 at 3.11.26 PM

Police said there is no reason to be concerned for the safety of the rest of the student body at Heritage E-Stem Magnet Middle School.

North Shore Mayor Chris Swanson.

The mayor has come under scrutiny for unusual behavior this year.

Lakeville Minnesota Solar Installation - All Energy Solar

Sponsored Story

Installing solar panels is a major investment. The solar solution provider you choose should be stable and trustworthy.

3M Maplewood

The company's violations spanned more than two decades.

Christopher Payne and Kaley Wethern

Christopher James Payne and Kaley Maria Wethern have been charged in the seizure.

Screen Shot 2022-05-26 at 7.41.20 AM

Mille Lacs Band Tribal Police issued the appeal.

Screen Shot 2022-05-26 at 12.59.29 PM

Stuck for weekend plans?

Her lawyer says Susan Thornton will keep her job leading the panel that assigns lottery proceeds to Minnesota environmental projects. Thornton was fired last week with no notice and no specific reason given. A letter from lawmakers apparently rescinds that decision.

The report found full-time online students made less progress on standardized state math tests than students in traditional schools. It also found that one in four full-time online students dropped out of school.

The Commerce, Public Safety and Natural Resources departments are all facing similar lawsuits over union contracts that award benefits to early retirees but not to older workers.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is warning farmers across the state to take precautions as they begin the fall harvest of their crops because the dry conditions could present fire hazards. The DNR says fires can be sparked by equipment in dry fields, so they urge farmers to prep their machinery to avoid overheating and sparks.

Private online gambling is illegal in Minnesota, but the state lottery has been experimenting with an online "subscription service" to make up for a decline in traditional ticket sales. Now some critics are wondering whether the state is overstepping its authority.

Monday's U.S. Supreme Court ruling struck down Montana's ban on corporate money in politics. Minnesota's campaign finance director says changes the Legislature made after 2010's landmark court case mean this week's ruling should have little impact here.

GOP leaders sent a request to Gov. Dayton Friday asking for more information on the recent paroles of two convicted murderers. Republican House Speaker Kurt Zellers wants a legislative hearing to review the two paroles of Timothy Eling -convicted of a 1982 cop killing- and John Scruggs- believed to have ordered the execution of a teenage girl.

The Campaign Finance and Disclosure Board says in some circumstances, groups funded by private donations that take sides on ballot measures -- like next year's marriage amendment -- will have to report the exact source of those donations with the state.

DONTCHA KNOW?

You Can Get BMTN Special Offers!

Get Our Newsletter

CLOSE

CLOSE

CLOSE

CLOSE