Latest news with #EllenSchmidt
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Twins reliever Danny Coulombe taking his 0.00 ERA to the 15-day injured list
Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers (27) and pitcher Danny Coulombe, right, embrace after winning a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants Friday, May 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt) Minnesota Twins pitcher Danny Coulombe (54) throws to the San Francisco Giants during the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt) Minnesota Twins pitcher Danny Coulombe (54) throws to the San Francisco Giants during the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt) Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers (27) and pitcher Danny Coulombe, right, embrace after winning a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants Friday, May 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt) Minnesota Twins pitcher Danny Coulombe (54) throws to the San Francisco Giants during the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt) MILWAUKEE (AP) — Minnesota Twins left-handed reliever Danny Coulombe, who hasn't allowed a run all season, has been placed on the 15-day injured list with a left forearm extensor strain. The move was announced Sunday but is retroactive to Thursday. In other moves, the Twins called up right-handed pitcher Zebby Matthews to start Sunday's game at Milwaukee and selected the contract of outfielder Carson McCusker from Triple-A St. Paul. Advertisement Coulombe, 35, had struck out 19 batters while allowing only two walks and eight hits in 16 2/3 scoreless innings this season. He had last pitched on Wednesday. 'It's obviously not good, but I'm not overly concerned,' Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. 'Danny hasn't been available now since the last time he pitched. We've been working around him, trying to see if we could give him a little time and get him where he needs to be. He's shown good improvement, but he's not ready to pitch quite yet. He's going to need a little bit more. I'm not going to put a timeline on it. I'm not going to say it's the minimum, but I'm optimistic that it won't be too long.' Coulombe becomes the third Twins player to go on the injured list during this weekend series, though Minnesota has weathered the situation well enough to carry a 13-game winning streak into Sunday's game. Shortstop Carlos Correa and center fielder Byron Buxton both went on the 7-day concussion injured list after they collided while chasing a shallow fly ball Thursday in Baltimore. Matthews, who turns 25 on Thursday, has gone 2-1 with a 1.93 ERA in seven starts for St. Paul this season. He pitched nine games with Minnesota last year and went 1-4 with a 6.69 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 37 2/3 innings. Matthews also was selected as the Twins' minor league pitcher of the year in 2024. Advertisement McCusker, who turns 27 on Thursday, had hit .350 with a .412 on-base percentage, 10 homers and 36 RBIs in 38 games with St. Paul. The Twins made room for McCusker on their 40-man roster by transferring outfielder Luke Keaschall to the 60-day injured list as he recovers from a fractured right forearm. ___ AP MLB:
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Minnesota House considers repealing unemployment for hourly school workers in 2029
A school bus turns at the intersection of West Lake Street and South Lyndale Avenue on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minn. (Ellen Schmidt/Minnesota Reformer) Just two years after Minnesota became the first state to extend unemployment insurance to school bus drivers, cafeteria workers and teachers' aids, Democratic legislators are considering eliminating the benefit after summer 2028 to reach a budget deal with Republicans. The law continues to face stiff opposition from school districts, which say paying for unemployment benefits for hourly school workers takes critical funding away from the classroom while making it harder for them to find workers to fill part-time summer positions. Advocates say the benefit provides a critical lifeline to workers, who make around $17 an hour on average, while helping school districts retain experienced staff year after year. The Republican and DFL co-chairs of the House Education Finance Committee on Monday presented a budget agreement (HF1388) that provides additional funding for school districts to pay for unemployment benefits in the coming year but repeals the benefits in four years. Democrats tried to amend the education budget bill to maintain unemployment benefits for hourly school workers, but the effort failed on a tie vote in the evenly divided committee. The budget was then laid over to be taken up by the House Ways and Means Committee. House Education Finance Committee Co-Chair Rep. Cheryl Youakim, DFL-Hopkins, called agreeing to eliminate the benefits her 'biggest disappointment' during Monday's hearing and said she hopes they can find a way to retain it going forward. Setting the repeal date so far in the future means Democrats could reverse course again and keep the benefits going if they win back control of government. But some Democrats say they aren't willing to vote for the deal and bank on a strong election in 2026, which means the issue could divide the DFL House and Senate caucuses and become a key sticking point in budget negotiations over the next three weeks. The Legislature is set to adjourn May 19; they need to pass a budget by June 30 to keep the government open. The gloomy budget forecast has two Democrats proposing cuts to the paid family leave program slated to begin next year, though a majority of the party continue to oppose rolling back any parts of the sweeping progressive agenda passed in 2023. More than half a dozen House Democrats held a news conference on Friday with hourly school workers during which they blasted Republicans for demanding a repeal of the benefits long afforded other seasonal workers like those in construction. 'This is a line-in-the-sand moment for Democrats,' said Rep. Emma Greenman, DFL-Minneapolis, who authored the bill in the 2023 legislative session. Kristen Scott, who's worked as a special education paraprofessional for 20 years in the Elk River School District, said the unemployment benefits have helped her stay afloat during the summer months, when full-time work in schools is hard to come by. 'It also allows us to continue to come back each year to do the important job of helping all of our children thrive,' Scott said. 'Cutting unemployment benefits will force many in my field to seek other full-time jobs, leaving our kids wondering who will be there to care for them year after year.' School districts haven't had to pay anything toward unemployment benefits because the Minnesota Legislature created a $135 million fund to cover the costs until 2027 or the funds ran out. Benefits cost an estimated $45 million in 2023 and $57 million in 2024, according to the Minnesota Department of Education. That leaves about half of what's expected to be needed to pay for the benefits this summer. Gov. Tim Walz has proposed shoring up the fund with $30 million for this summer to help districts cover the cost, and a DFL-led Senate proposal would provide an additional $70 million the following year. After that, school districts would have to factor in the cost of unemployment into their regular budgets. Greenman said they passed the bill in 2023 with the expectation that school districts would eventually pick up the cost without state aid.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Federal education cuts would hammer poorest Minnesota schools, study finds
A student exits a school bus as they arrive to Creative Arts Secondary School on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Saint Paul, Minn. (Ellen Schmidt/Minnesota Reformer) Federal education dollars are now at risk thanks to President Donald Trump's dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education, which could significantly hurt Minnesota public school districts — the majority of which receive at least 10% of their budgets from the feds, according to the Economic Policy Institute, a left-leaning think tank. Tribal nations within Minnesota's borders would be even more impacted, as a larger share of their budgets comes from the feds. The Red Lake Public School District received nearly 40% of its revenue from federal funding in fiscal year 2022, according to EPI. The Trump administration promised that closing the department won't result in cutting federal funds, but the people who are responsible for determining whether schools qualify for a grant could soon be let go, risking the reliability of the funds. Republicans in Congress are also desperate to find cuts to pay for more border defense, Pentagon spending and tax cuts and proposed significant cuts to federal education spending as recently as 2023. School districts receive the majority of their funding from the state and local governments, but the federal government plays a large role in assisting K-12 schools in low-income communities through Title 1 funding. The EPI study found that in most cases, federal funds make up less than 20% of a district's budget. But, many districts rely far more heavily on the federal government, particularly in southern states, where some districts receive 70% of their revenue from the feds. Many northern Minnesota school districts in and around tribal nations receive significant federal funds, as they are low-income areas. Cass Lake-Bena Public Schools, Mahnomen Public School District and Waubun-Ogema-White Earth Schools received about 30% of their district revenue from the feds in fiscal year 2022, according to the EPI analysis. St. Paul Public School District received $176 million from the federal government in the same year, which accounts for 21% of its total revenue. Minneapolis Public Schools received $145 million, about 19% of its total revenue. School districts across Minnesota and in the Twin Cities metro are facing severe budget shortfalls and have drawn down reserves to fill the gaps. The end of one-time pandemic aid, inflation and declining enrollment are major contributors to school districts' tight budgets. A cut to federal funding, even those schools that receive about 10% of federal funds, would require districts to lay off teachers and staff and make other difficult budget decisions. Or, they will go to voters in their districts and ask them to approve a property tax hike. In addition to Title 1, the feds provide money for the IDEA program for special education students. The Trump administration has threatened to withhold billions of these federal dollars to states that don't capitulate to its demand that they end the use of diversity programs in public schools. Title 1 funds have been withheld from school districts at least once in recent history — to incentivize districts to desegregate.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Creighton lands ex-Iowa forward Owen Freeman, the Big Ten freshman of the year in 2023-24
Wisconsin guard Kamari McGee (4) drives toward the hoop while Minnesota forward Frank Mitchell (00) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, March 5, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt) Wisconsin guard John Tonje, center left, shoots while Minnesota forward Frank Mitchell (00) jumps to block during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, March 5, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt) Iowa forward Owen Freeman (32) drives on Iowa forward Payton Sandfort (20) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Iowa forward Owen Freeman (32) drives on Iowa forward Payton Sandfort (20) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Wisconsin guard Kamari McGee (4) drives toward the hoop while Minnesota forward Frank Mitchell (00) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, March 5, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt) Wisconsin guard John Tonje, center left, shoots while Minnesota forward Frank Mitchell (00) jumps to block during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, March 5, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt) Iowa forward Owen Freeman (32) drives on Iowa forward Payton Sandfort (20) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Former Iowa forward Owen Freeman, the 2023-24 Big Ten freshman of the year, has signed with Creighton. The 6-foot-10 Freeman averaged 16.7 points and 6.7 rebounds in 19 starts this season for the Hawkeyes before missing the final two months following finger surgery. He shot 63.8% from the field and blocked 35 shots. Freeman has two years of eligibility remaining. Advertisement 'He is a proven scorer at the high major level and is only scratching the surface in terms of his potential,' Creighton coach Greg McDermott said. 'Our offense will allow his versatility to be on full display. We can't wait to have him in a Bluejay uniform.' The Bluejays also secured a transfer from Nik Graves, a junior guard who averaged 17.5 points per game this season with Charlotte. Also Friday, former Minnesota forward Frank Mitchell signed with St. Bonaventure. Mitchell averaged 4.9 points and 4.7 rebounds for the Golden Gophers this season. He finished with two double-doubles in his last three games with Minnesota. Prior to Minnesota, Mitchell spent a year at Canisius, where he averaged 12.1 points and 11.6 boards. He began his college career at Humber College in Toronto, where he helped lead the Hawks to the 2022 CCAA National Championship and the 2022 OCAA Provincial Championship. He sat out the 2022-23 season under NCAA transfer rules. Advertisement ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: and
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump is undermining Biden infrastructure laws, and it will cost Minnesotans bigly
Construction is underway on the Robert Street Bridge on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Saint Paul, Minn. Photo by Ellen Schmidt/Minnesota Reformer. The Trump administration's efforts to remake transportation and infrastructure policy will hurt all Minnesotans regardless of geography or political affiliation. Despite a court order pausing these efforts, this will certainly not be the last attempt to freeze, cut or revoke funding as President Donald Trump's broadly worded executive actions still threaten Biden-era policies and undermine our state's transportation progress. Trump would jeopardize transportation and infrastructure funding under the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act, undercutting hard-won efforts to make Minnesota's transportation system sustainable, affordable, safe and accessible. On January 20th, Trump signed executive orders including one aimed at 'Unleashing American Energy,' which due to its unspecific wording targeting programs across federal agencies, effectively paused all federal funding from the IIJA and the IRA. Despite an Office of Budget Management memo and multiple court orders challenging these actions' legality, the administration continues withholding funding for transportation infrastructure and environmental efforts. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy's January 29th 'Woke Rescission' memo ordered DOT agencies to identify all policies, funding agreements and programs conflicting with Trump's executive orders by Feb. 18. The administration is now moving to terminate these initiatives, with various White House memos confirming plans to reshape thousands of projects nationwide, claiming current spending doesn't serve American interests. The broad nature of these legally dubious directives threatens all federal transportation and infrastructure funding for Minnesota. Minnesota has over $1.4 billion in remaining disbursements from the IIJA, largely supporting transportation and other infrastructure projects. Because most federal dollars have to be matched by non-federal — i.e., state or local funding — an additional $1.64 billion of Minnesota's money has been dedicated to support these projects through matches. This means without these federal funds, we'd have to make up the difference or see projects get delayed or canceled. Based on data compiled by Transportation for America, the DOT-specific 'Woke Rescission' memo directly threatens between $490 million and $630 million to projects across the state. Two scenarios could play out: Cuts targeting only climate and equity-focused discretionary funds and grants, or, those cuts, plus cuts to additional projects supported by formula funds. No one knows how this will play out, least of all the administration. In a conservative scenario, the Trump administration would move to cut funding from grant-based projects and discretionary funds in accordance with the DOT's January 29th memo, stopping funding for projects that advance equity, climate change mitigation and other statewide priorities. Federal funding cuts total $490 million, impacting both major population centers ($15 million in Hennepin County, $3.5 million in Dakota County, $75 million in Congressional District 4) and smaller communities ($1.4 million in Koochiching County, $1.25 million in Cook County, $315,000 in St. Louis County). Under this scenario, transportation policy advocates worry that state DOTs, including MnDOT, won't replace federal funding for affected projects that advance climate and equity priorities, threatening progress to make these improvements come to life. MnDOT should develop a plan to maintain these critical investments in safety, mobility, community health and climate despite these federal funding losses. Given the wording of the executive order and the February 18th memo — broadly seeking to dismantle programs that included mention of equity and climate change — all funding from the IIJA could be at risk, in addition to the project-based funding in the previous scenario. This is largely driven by the administration's opposition to the Justice40 initiative, a key component of almost every program the Biden Administration funded through the IIJA. This scenario would include program cuts at the DOT and agencies within it, including the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Railroad Administration, Federal Transit Administration, Maritime Administration and the Office of the Secretary of Transportation. Under this scenario, Minnesota loses $630 million in infrastructure funding, with significant impacts to Hennepin County ($20 million), Ramsey County ($12 million), Lyon County ($3.7 million), and Wright County ($1.1 million). Given the February 18th memo and what we were hearing from inside DOT, something closer to this worst-case scenario seems more aligned with the administration's desires. Under this scenario, Greater Minnesota counties have as much to lose on a per capita basis as urban counties. While some Minnesota Republican legislators asked their federal counterparts to protect Medicaid, they have not worked to guard against transportation cuts. In fact, they are actively working at the state level this legislative session to undo recent policy wins that will save Minnesotans money and time and reduce our transportation system's environmental impacts. There is some nuance to these scenarios, and MnDOT could be more likely to step in to defend this formula funding for roads and bridges. While losing transportation funding for climate and equity initiatives harms our communities, some highway expansion funds might be better left unused given their negative environmental impacts and long-term tax burdens for our state. Nonprofit funding is also at risk in the transportation, climate and energy sectors. As one of the administrators of a large federal grant at Our Streets seeking to remove Olson Memorial Highway and to restore a walkable main street and revitalize adjacent communities, I know firsthand the confusion these orders are having on critical projects that put federal dollars at work to make Minnesotan's lives better. Trump's strategy creates deliberate uncertainty across multiple levels of government — from state budgets to federal agencies. They're sowing confusion and chaos as a political weapon. Despite this uncertainty, understanding the potential risks of pausing this funding is critical. Whether you live in a small Greater Minnesota community or in the heart of the Twin Cities, transportation funding cuts harm the movement of people and goods — statewide. This is particularly challenging as our state's budget forecast comes in gloomier than previously projected, with federal funding and policy shifts adding to the uncertainty. The budget hacksawing is just the start. The administration is attacking transportation research, redirecting funding to areas with high birth and marriage rates, and threatening the implementation of foundational policies like the National Environmental Protection Act, known as NEPA. These sorties suggest that other dramatic shifts in transportation policy and finance are possible or even likely, especially with a large federal transportation reauthorization bill on the horizon next year. With or without all of our allotted federal funding, Minnesota can — and should — put transportation dollars to work to solve Minnesotan's most pressing issues. A significant portion of our transportation dollars come from our state — roughly $2.7 billion compared to $1.3 billion in federal contributions annually — meaning strong state and local policy can create a transportation system that works for all Minnesota communities. On the ground, this means strategically directing state dollars toward affordability, accessibility and safety across all transportation modes and prioritizing projects that reconnect communities, mitigate climate and health impacts and advance equity goals. During this uncertainty, elected officials must understand these potential impacts and the costs of not advancing transportation policies that put people first. And we can ask our members in Congress, Minnesota legislators, Gov. Tim Walz, MnDOT staff and other officials about their plans to address federal funding gaps and to push for forward-thinking transportation policies. We can all ensure these officials are aware that these cuts are illegal, will cause chaos and confusion, and pose a risk to all Minnesota communities, and our economy. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
