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.

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.

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.

The Star Tribune and WCCO talk to some anonymous insiders who share details on how events reportedly went down.

The former Senate Majority Leader says she made mistakes and errors in judgment by engaging in a relationship with a Senate staffer. She apologizes to the Republican Party and to constituents, colleagues, friends, and family.

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.

Democratic Sen. Tom Bakk, in a letter to incoming Senate Majority Leader David Senjem, said "The integrity and honor of the Minnesota Senate have been seriously called into question" and urged Senjem to look into any ethical or legal questions. Senjem has indicated that Senate Republicans would like to put the matter behind them.

City Pages quotes an anonymous Republican senator who says the ousted Senate communications chief created a hostile work environment and that numerous legislators complained about his behavior but then-Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch refused to take action.