Star Tribune
A two-vehicle crash Monday morning in a Minneapolis neighborhood has left at least one person dead and other injured, officials said.
The vehicle on Emerson was occupied by a man and a woman, and they were taken by emergency medical responders to a hospital with critical injuries.
Lolo Samuelson told the Star Tribune she was walking to the store when she came upon the crash scene moments after impact.
She said one of the vehicles slammed into a Metro Transit bus stop, while the other ended up in a yard at the intersection. On the pavement was someone who was at the shelter when it was struck, she said.
Samuelson, 18, said she approached the station and saw a vehicle was on fire with one person inside “who wasn’t moving or anything like that. A lady, she was making noises, so I knew she was alive.”
Samuelson said she didn’t hesitate before going up to the burning vehicle.
“In that type of situation, you just want to make sure people are going to be OK,” she said. “Just give me a sign that you’re still responsive, that you’re still here.”
Star Tribune
Minnesota backed bipartisan bill designating bald eagle national bird on its way to Biden’s desk
A bipartisan bill backed by the entire Minnesota congressional delegation designating the bald eagle as the national bird of the United States is on its way to President Joe Biden’s desk for approval after it passed in the both the U.S. House and Senate.
Though the bird is used on the country’s official seals on everything from passports to currency, it was never designated the national bird. The National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minn., had sought to change that and had been behind the push to get lawmakers to correct what they viewed as an oversight.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar carried the legislation in the Senate with Sen. Tina Smith as a co-sponsor working with their Republican colleagues on the bill. Reps. Brad Finstad and Angie Craig introduced a companion bill in the U.S. House, which the six other members of the Minnesota House delegation co-sponsored and backed Monday.
“The bald eagle is a symbol of our country’s freedom and strength. In Minnesota, we know a thing or two about eagles: we are home to one of the largest populations of bald eagles in the country as well as the National Eagle Center in Wabasha,” Klobuchar said in a statement. “With the passage of our legislation, the bald eagle will now officially be recognized as our nation’s national bird.”
The White House could not immediately be reached for comment on whether Biden plans to sign the bill, but Klobuchar’s office said the president is expected to do so.
“More than two hundred and forty years ago, the Founding Fathers identified the bald eagle as a symbol of the strength and independence promised in our new nation. Since then, we have revered this majestic creature as the unquestionable icon of the United States,” Finstad said in a statement. “Today, we rightfully recognize the bald eagle as our official national bird – bestowing an honor that is long overdue.”
“The Bald Eagle has been a universally recognizable symbol of patriotism in this country for centuries, and they thrive in Minnesota because of our lakes and forestry,” Smith said in a statement. “I am proud to cosponsor this bipartisan legislation designating the Bald Eagle as the official bird of the United States and am excited to celebrate its passage out of the House.”
Star Tribune
Angie Craig wins approval of panel to serve as ranking Democrat on House Agriculture Committee
A U.S. House panel that decides committee assignments has recommended Rep. Angie Craig serve as the ranking Democrat on the powerful House Agriculture Committee.
The House Steering and Policy Committee’s decision to back Craig was made on the first ballot. The Minnesota congresswoman was locked in a tight three-way race with incumbent ranking member Georgia Rep. David Scott and longtime California Democrat Rep. Jim Costa. A source familiar with the race said Craig received 34 votes, Costa 22 and Scott just 5.
“I am humbled to have earned the recommendation of the Steering and Policy Committee to serve as Ranking Member of the House Committee on Agriculture. I’m ready to help us win back rural Americans, and with them, a strong Democratic Majority. I look forward to earning the support of my colleagues across the full Democratic caucus tomorrow,” Craig said in a statement.
Though the House Steering and Policy Committee has made its recommendation, the contentious ranking member race is not over yet.
The full House Democratic caucus will need to vote on committee leadership elections, a vote that is expected to take place on Tuesday. The full caucus can vote differently from the House Steering and Policy, but Craig’s strong support from committee gives her an advantage.
Heading into Monday’s panel vote, some members of the House Agriculture Committee said Craig was a strong contender and had been working hard behind the scenes to earn their support.
Republicans will remain in charge of the House Agriculture Committee in the next Congress, as the GOP retained control of Congress in the November elections. The current chair of that committee is Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson of Pennsylvania. Scott is the first African-American to lead the committee, but he has been plagued by health issues.
Reporter Christopher Vondracek contributed to this report.
Some Minnesota Democrats are planning to attend the Jan. 20 inauguration ceremony of President-Elect Donald Trump, but others plan to sit it out or are still weighing whether to attend.
Trump’s inauguration will coincide with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Rep. Ilhan Omar, a fierce critic of Trump, told Axios she plans to attend MLK events that day instead. “Why risk any chaos that might be up here?” the Minnesota Democrat said.
Omar won’t be the only Democrat ditching Trump’s inauguration. Axios reports that more than a dozen other congressional Democrats will not go.
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who chairs the bipartisan Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, plans to attend Trump’s inauguration. The committee she leads is responsible for planning the event, working on everything from picking the inaugural theme to choosing who gets a speaker slot on inauguration day.
Rep. Angie Craig’s office confirmed she plans to attend Trump’s inauguration, as does incoming Rep. Kelly Morrison.
Sen. Tina Smith’s office said the senator is still finalizing her schedule and does not yet know if she will attend.
Rep. Betty McCollum is also still weighing whether to attend, but if she does not go, it will be for logistical reasons, her office said.
Minnesota’s four Republican members of Congress backed Trump’s 2024 White House and all four plan to attend.
