Latest news with #MinnesotaSenate
CBS News
2 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Minn. State Patrol to have 3rd party assess Capitol security in wake of lawmaker shootings, Senate chamber breach
The Minnesota State Patrol, which oversees state Capitol security, said it will contract with a third party for an independent security assessment of the complex in St. Paul following a breach of the Senate chamber over the weekend and the shooting attacks on lawmakers in their homes last month. A 36-year-old man is now charged with second-degree burglary for allegedly breaking into the Minnesota Senate chamber late last Friday when the building was closed off to the public. Charging documents say he was found naked sitting in the Senate president's chair, claiming he was the governor, around 11:15 p.m. He was caught on surveillance video earlier in the day, according to the criminal complaint filed Tuesday, and investigators believe he used a wooden edge to prop open an exterior building door so he could get back inside later that night. Anyone can enter during normal business hours and there are no security checkpoints or metal detectors required for those visitors. Colonel Christina Bogojevic, the chief of the Minnesota State Patrol, said officers believed the man was experiencing a mental health episode and took him to a nearby hospital Friday. He then again appeared on the Capitol grounds twice on Saturday before he was arrested that evening. There's a "comprehensive review" underway to review what happened and make any necessary changes to Capitol security protocols, she said. That's in addition to the third-party expert analysis, for which a contract is being finalized. "This is about bringing fresh eyes and objectivity to a place that holds great meaning for Minnesotans," Bogojevic said in a news conference Tuesday. She told reporters her agency increased staff at the Capitol building — which is part of a larger 140-acre complex that includes other state government buildings — and implemented other policy changes in wake of the killing of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark in what authorities call a politically motivated assassination. Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were wounded and the gunman had a hit list targeting other Democratic elected officials. "Many of these changes were already happening in the wake of June 14 lawmaker shootings, but we are now redoubling our efforts following this past weekend's incident," Bogojevic explained. That the Capitol intruder propped open a door to get inside was "alarming," she said. But while many doors have alarms that notify security if left open for an extended period of time, the door he entered did not have that feature. She declined to say how the man later entered the Senate chamber, citing the ongoing investigation. The chamber is usually locked and only accessible by a few, and sergeants-at-arms are out front during the legislative session. Separately, there will be an independent after-action report looking into law enforcement's response to the June 14 attacks, said Bob Jacobsen, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. That is a collaboration with his agency and the Brooklyn Park police, who encountered the accused assassin at the Hortman home that night. "What I believe that law enforcement did during the hours after and during this investigation — did admirable work in finding, investigating, finding and arresting [suspect Vance] Boelter within 43 hours from the time that those first shots were fired at Mr. Hoffman and his wife," Jacobsen said. "Can there be things that we can do to improve? Absolutely. And that's why we were asking for that independent review to take a look at the communications that have been coming through, the criticisms that have been coming through, and the successes that have been coming through." The shootings have shattered lawmakers' sense of safety and have sparked a debate about state capitol security well before the security breach over the weekend. Some are calling for measures like metal detectors, while others fear that will limit access to Minnesotans' seat of government. Jacobsen said that they are considering the number of public entrances to the building, but that his agency and Minnesota State Patrol want to work with "legislative partners" before making any final decisions. A special advisory committee, which includes a bipartisan slate of lawmakers across both chambers that makes recommendations on improvements, is set to meet next month. "We need to walk that balance between having an open capital and that security and safety that people would expect," he said. WCCO first reported last week that the Legislature would tap into state funds in each chamber's respective budgets to help cover the costs for security upgrades at the homes of concerned lawmakers if they request the assistance.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sen. Anderson, Nicole Mitchell special election date declared by Gov. Walz
The Brief Minnesota voters in Senate districts 29 and 47 will have the opportunity to fill vacant seats left by the death of Sen. Bruce Anderson and the resignation of Nicole Mitchell. Special elections will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 4. If necessary, special primary elections will be held on Aug. 26. Those looking to run can file an affidavit for candidacy with the Secretary of State, or with county auditors within each senate district from July 30, until Aug. 6 at 5 p.m. ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - A date to elect the replacements for seats left vacated by Senator Bruce Anderson and former Senator Nicole Mitchell has been declared by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Mitchell, Anderson special elections What we know On Tuesday, Gov. Walz formally issued two writs of special election to fill the now vacant seats. On July 21, 2025, Minnesota Senate GOP officials confirmed Anderson had died unexpectedly at the age of 75. He was first elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2012, and was actively serving at the time, representing Senate District 29 – encompassing cities such as Becker, Monticello and Buffalo in central Minnesota. On July 25, 2024, former Sen. Nicole Mitchell resigned from the Minnesota Senate after she was found guilty of first-degree burglary stemming from an April 2024 incident during which she broke into the home of her stepmother. Mitchell was in her first term serving Senate District 47, which covers the Woodbury area. She was elected in 2022. Special election dates Dig deeper Special elections to fill the vacancies in Districts 29 and 47 will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. If necessary, special primary elections for nominations will be held on Aug. 26. Those looking to run can file an affidavit for candidacy with the Secretary of State, or with county auditors within each senate district from July 30, until Aug. 6 at 5 p.m. The Source Information provided by the Office of Governor Walz. Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
2 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Special elections scheduled for Minnesota Senate seats formerly held by Nicole Mitchell, Bruce Anderson
Special elections will be held on the same day to fill the two seats vacated in the Minnesota Senate by Bruce Anderson and Nicole Mitchell. Gov. Tim Walz announced early Tuesday afternoon that both elections will be held on Nov. 4, 2025. If needed, special primaries for candidates will be held on Aug. 26. Anderson, a Republican who represented District 29, died unexpectedly last week at the age of 75. Meanwhile, Mitchell – a DFLer for District 47 – resigned from her seat after being found guilty earlier this month of felony first-degree burglary and possession of burglary or theft tools for breaking into her stepmother's home in Detroit Lakes on April 22, 2024. Candidates will have between July 30 and Aug. 6 to file with either the Secretary of State or county auditors.
The Hill
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Minnesota state lawmaker to resign after burglary conviction
A Minnesota lawmaker is expected to resign from the state Senate after being criminally convicted of burglary on July 18. Democratic state Sen. Nicole Mitchell's departure will dissolve the party's one-seat majority in the upper chamber and comes after months of Republican criticism regarding her criminal record. 'Senator Mitchell's constituents deserve for her legislative projects to be finalized or ready to hand off to her successor before she resigns,' her attorney Dane DeKrey said in a statement to USA Today. 'Mitchell's constituents also deserve to have their outstanding issues handled before her resignation… It was the honor of her lifetime to serve her District and the State of Minnesota,' he added. She's slated to resign 'no later than Aug. 4.' Dekrey did not immediately respond to The Hill's request for comment on the matter. Mitchell, a former lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard and a meteorologist, was arrested last year while visiting her estranged stepmother to collect her deceased father's belongings. She used burglary tools to enter the home in the Detroit Lakes area. Minnesota Senate Republican Leader Mark Johnson (R), in a statement, once again condemned Mitchell's actions, stating 'her continued participation in the Minnesota Senate leaves the body with a stain on its record for every time her vote was the deciding vote in passing legislation.' Mitchell's resignation comes weeks after two Democratic lawmakers in the Minnesota legislature were shot at their respective homes. Rep. Melissa Hoffman (D) succumbed to gunshot wounds, as did her husband and Golden Retriever.
Washington Post
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Minnesota legislator to resign after conviction for burglary at stepmom's home
A Minnesota state senator who was convicted of breaking into her stepmother's house will resign next month, her attorneys said. A jury on Friday found Democratic state Sen. Nicole Mitchell guilty of first-degree burglary and possession of burglary tools after her April 2024 arrest when police found her in her stepmother's basement. In a press release published by Minnesota Public Radio, Mitchell's attorneys said that she needed two weeks to wrap up legislative projects, complete ongoing constituent services, transition her staff and obtain health insurance gap coverage for her son, who is insured through her job in the state Senate. 'Once these tasks are completed, Senator Mitchell will tender her resignation,' the statement said, adding that it would come 'no later' than the end of Aug. 4. 'It was the honor of her lifetime to serve her District and the State of Minnesota,' it added. Republican members of the closely divided Minnesota Senate had been calling for Mitchell's resignation since her arrest last year. Mitchell often cast the deciding vote, including on motions put forth by Senate Republicans to prohibit her from voting after her arrest, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune. According to a probable cause complaint published by the Minneapolis Star Tribune, police found Mitchell, now 50, in her stepmother's basement, dressed in black and carrying a flashlight that she had darkened with a black sock. She told officers that she entered the home through the basement window to retrieve some items that belonged to her father, who had recently died, the complaint said. She said she had gotten into an argument with her stepmother and they were no longer speaking, the complaint said. 'I know I did something bad,' Mitchell said during her arrest, which was captured on body camera. However, Mitchell later denied that she had entered the home with the intention of stealing and said she had only wanted to check in on the well-being of her stepmother, who has Alzheimer's disease. She maintained that position when she testified during her trial and said that she trespassed but did not steal anything. Under Minnesota law, burglary in the first degree holds a minimum sentence of six months and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; Mitchell has not yet been sentenced. Her resignation comes during a turbulent year for the Minnesota state Senate. The Democrats held a narrow majority in the legislature at the time of Mitchell's arrest. The state Senate convened in January with a tied legislative body. The Democrats regained the majority following a special election and the resignation of Republican state Sen. Justin Eichorn, who had stepped down after he was arrested and charged with soliciting a minor. Shortly after Mitchell's attorneys stated her plan to resign, Republicans had announced the death of Republican state Sen. Bruce Anderson, which means Democrats will continue to hold a narrow majority. Mark Johnson, the Republican leader of Minnesota state Senate who had called for Mitchell's 'immediate' resignation following the verdict in her trial, objected to her plan to resign by Aug. 4. 'Senator Mitchell was convicted of two felonies; she doesn't get to give the Senate two weeks' notice,' he said in a statement. Johnson noted that Senate Republicans had attempted to expel Mitchell several times since her arrest, but their attempts were blocked by Senate Democrats each time. 'The only reason Mitchell is still in office is because Democrats needed her vote to pass their agenda and refused to hold her accountable during session,' he said. 'They put political power ahead of Minnesotans, and Mitchell continues to put her personal interests ahead of institutional integrity.'
