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Biden to meet with Walz, Democratic governors to discuss concerns
The meeting follows a call between Walz and fellow members of the Democratic Governors Association to discuss growing concerns about Biden’s candidacy.
ST PAUL, Minn. — President Joe Biden has invited Democratic governors to meet on Wednesday as he attempts to solidify support among his party’s top leaders after last week’s shaky debate performance.
The discussion is likely to be mostly virtual, according to two people familiar with Biden’s plan, who insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss a schedule that hasn’t yet been made public. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden would speak with Democratic governors, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and also hold calls with party leaders in Congress.
The meeting comes after Walz, head of the Democratic Governors Association, convened a phone call to discuss Biden’s candidacy and asked the president to speak with them, according to sources.
Walz told reporters during a news conference on the status of the failing Rapidan Dam that on that call, governors addressed “what was obviously a poor performance” in the debate with participants “asking questions about, what is the plan?”
Waltz said he expects Wednesday’s meeting with President Biden to address “some of the same concerns.”
“I’ve been through this,” Walz said. “Many of you have covered it, I’m a poor debater and you’ve seen it happen. I think the question is, how does that impact how the country runs, how does it impact what an election looks like and again, it’s about the differences and the binary choice we’re going to face in November.”
The discussion with governors and Democratic congressional leaders is the strongest indication yet that Biden is attempting to calm fears among some Democrats, who worry he may not be up to continuing a campaign — much less defeat Donald Trump — following his sometimes raspy and halting performance during last week’s debate in Atlanta.
Biden denounced the Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity on Monday night but had otherwise announced a largely politics-free and business-as-usual post-debate schedule — including planning to host July 4 celebrations at the White House for Thursday’s holiday.
Texas Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett called Tuesday for Biden to formally withdraw from the race, after former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told MSNBC that it is fair to ask whether Biden’s debate showing was an anomaly or part of a larger pattern.
“I think it’s a legitimate question to say, is this an episode or is this a condition,” Pelosi said.
There is also no indication that the president is seriously considering stepping aside.
His campaign has downplayed the president’s political problems in a series of memos and private meetings with donors, strategists and party insiders, insisting that Biden can put the bad debate performance behind him without hurting his long-term chances in November.
Not all of the party’s governors are expected to take part in the gathering. In Kansas, the office of Gov. Laura Kelly, who has broken with Biden in the past (particularly over COVID-19 vaccine mandates) would not say whether she would participate. Spokesperson Grace Hoge deferred to a statement Kelly issued Friday, after the president debate, calling Biden “a decent man of strong character” and saying that the governor “will support him in November.”
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“I do it every few weeks and for me it’s worth it,” said Tom Sammler, who has donated blood for the past 50 years.
Tom Sammler is no stranger when it comes to donating blood.
“I enjoy doing it,” Sammler said. “It takes three hours of my time. I do it every few weeks and for me it’s worth it!”
For the past 50 years, this A-negative donor is nothing but positive. Sammler has been rolling up his sleeves and he has donated 78 gallons of life-saving blood and counting.
“I’ve got the time, I don’t mind, like I say its something I know is worthwhile,” Sammler said.
Memorial Blood Centers Maureen Maher said just one donation can save up to three lives, but in the summer months, the number of donors goes down.
“There’s always a need especially for the universal blood type,” Maureen said. “People with O-negative are always needed because they can help, it’s a universal blood type. They can help many people and there is so many people that need blood transfusions throughout the year, whether it’s a cancer patient that need some help to a pre-mature baby or somebody fighting blood cancer, so really the need is constant.”
Maureen said 62% of the population is eligible to give blood but only 3% do, but with the help of others that could change.
“It’s such a selfless things to do and it’s so easy,” Maureen said.
Coming up on July 9, KARE 11 is hosting a Health Fair 11 Summer Blood Drive. If you’d like to donate, the drive is at the Minneapolis Marriott West Hotel in St. Louis Park from 1 to 7 p.m.
Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are welcome!
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The driver of the vehicle remained on the scene and has cooperated with the investigation, said the release.
BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. — The Brooklyn Park Police Department is investigating after a pedestrian was fatally struck by vehicle on Sunday.
Officers from the department and other first responders first arrived at West Broadway and Candlewood Drive for a report of the crash at around 6:07 p.m.
Upon their arrival, the responders found the pedestrian, who was later pronounced dead at the scene, according to a release from the police department.
The driver of the vehicle remained on the scene and has cooperated with the investigation, said the release.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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Download the free KARE 11+ app for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and other smart TV platforms to watch more from KARE 11 anytime! The KARE 11+ app includes live streams of all of KARE 11’s newscasts. You’ll also find on-demand replays of newscasts; the latest from KARE 11 Investigates, Breaking the News and the Land of 10,000 Stories; exclusive programs like Verify and HeartThreads; and Minnesota sports talk from our partners at Locked On Minnesota.
Police said a marked squad car was turning left on Saturday night when a motorcycle crashed into the passenger’s side.
MINNEAPOLIS — A man was seriously injured in Minneapolis’ Audubon Park neighborhood Saturday night after police said he crashed his motorcycle into the passenger side of a squad car.
According to police, an MPD officer in a marked squad car was turning left from Central Avenue Northeast onto 28th Avenue Northeast around 9:30 p.m. when the collision happened.
Police said the adult male on the motorcycle had potentially life-threatening injuries and was taken by ambulance to Hennepin Healthcare. The officer had apparent non-life-threatening injuries, officials said and was also hospitalized.
No further details have been provided by authorities about either victim.
Preliminary information from police indicates the motorcyclist was driving fast when he hit the squad. A witness told police the motorcycle’s lights weren’t turned on.
Investigators said they suspect the motorcyclist was under the influence. A warrant for a blood draw was executed due to suspicion of a DUI, police said.
Watch the latest local news from the Twin Cities and across Minnesota in our YouTube playlist:
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Download the free KARE 11+ app for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and other smart TV platforms to watch more from KARE 11 anytime! The KARE 11+ app includes live streams of all of KARE 11’s newscasts. You’ll also find on-demand replays of newscasts; the latest from KARE 11 Investigates, Breaking the News and the Land of 10,000 Stories; exclusive programs like Verify and HeartThreads; and Minnesota sports talk from our partners at Locked On Minnesota.
