Amy Koch issued a surprise announcement that she's stepping down as Majority Leader of the Minnesota Senate. Koch's letter to fellow Republicans did not specify a reason, but called the past year challenging, exciting, and exhausting.

WCCO is reporting that four Republican Senators held an emergency meeting with Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch on Wednesday night after learning about possible improper conduct. Koch resigned unexpectedly on Thursday.

The Senate will hold a private caucus just after Christmas to elect Sen. Amy Koch's replacement. The majority leader is the state Senate's most powerful figure.

One assistant majority leader says if the allegations of an inappropriate relationship are true, it will be difficult for Amy Koch to stay in the Senate. Another says he hopes she does stay. Koch resigned her post as Senate Majority Leader last week amid allegations of a relationship with a Senate staffer.

Minnesota's Grand Old Party has taken numerous hits recently as key party members resign and debt issues loom.

Former Senate Republican staff member Michael Brodkorb claims he was wrongfully fired and is moving ahead with a lawsuit after the Senate rejected mediation. His lawyer says papers filed with the state acknowledge Brodkorb had an "intimate relationship" with former Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch.

Sen. Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, was selected as the new Senate Majority Leader after a closed meeting Thursday. As expected, Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, was picked as House Majority Leader.