skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

US sues NY state officials over immigration enforcement; NM's national monuments face new development threats from Trump; NC community colleges get 'boost' to bring more students to high-demand jobs; Trump's resignation plan for federal workers can move forward; Advocates push for program to decrease wildlife collisions in VA.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Deregulation raises environmental and public health concerns, national monuments face potential risks, political neutrality in education sparks protests, and Tulsi Gabbard's confirmation fuels controversy.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Rural America struggles with opioids and homelessness in unexpected ways, Colorado's Lariat Ditch could help spur local recreation, and book deliveries revive rural communities hit by Hurricane Helene.

MN legislative stalemate has potential to worsen voter trust

play audio
Play

Monday, January 13, 2025   

Minnesota's new legislative session begins tomorrow, but there are still unknowns over how much of it will actually get started.

A political expert says jockeying by both parties over House control is likely a turnoff for voters.

After last fall's election, the Minnesota House was at an even split of 67 seats for Republicans and the DFL.

But a Democratic winner stepped down because of residency rules, meaning temporarily, the GOP has a slight edge. That has Republicans setting aside a power-sharing agreement, with DFL members threatening not to show up, citing a special election.

Hamline University Political Science Professor David Schultz said the optics aren't good.

"This is the type of scenario," said Schultz, "that really feeds into why oftentimes people just think that the government just can't get anything done."

With the electorate growing more divisive, Schultz said both parties have incentives to appeal to their base voters. But for voters with a more open mind, he said the events unfolding resemble "grandstanding" by these elected officials.

Schultz added that neither party is really prepared to compromise, with recent sessions not providing an opportunity to sharpen those skills.

Even though Republicans did well at the national level in last fall's election, he said he feels both parties are at a crossroads in appealing to voters and their shifting mindsets, especially younger generations.

"There is a possibility that longer term we could see the support for the two major parties decay," said Schultz, "and does that open up a possibility for redefining the parties, creation of a new party that could provide some possibility for more compromise."

But he thinks the possibility of a less-hostile political environment likely won't take shape for another decade.

Until then, Schultz predicted more short-term thinking by the major parties that aligns with a "winner-take-all" approach -- even if it doesn't always translate to effective governing.

Support for this reporting was provided by Carnegie Corporation of New York.



get more stories like this via email

more stories
With the inclusion of workforce certificates and certifications, Ohio's overall rate of educational attainment has increased by 18.1% since 2009. (Adobe Stock)

play sound

According to research from Lumina Foundation, the rate of U.S. high school seniors seeking higher education is on the upswing. Although Ohio student …


play sound

Lawmakers in Michigan have introduced a package of bills designed to lower costs and expand health care access. Senate Bill 3 would create a …

Health and Wellness

play sound

As winter drags on with a recent rare burst of snow across North Florida, many Floridians struggle with seasonal affective disorder. It is a form of …


Southern sea otters only inhabit about 13% of their former range and remain absent from the Oregon coast. (Dhayes/Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

The push to reintroduce southern sea otters to greater sections of the California and Oregon coast is getting a big boost from a $1.56 million grant f…

Social Issues

play sound

By Nina B. Elkadi for Sentient.Broadcast version by Judith Ruiz-Branch for Illinois News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service …

The Environmental Protection Agency said excess nitrogen and phosphorus cause an overgrowth of algae in lakes and if algal blooms occur, the toxins they produce can be harmful to human health and aquatic life. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Minnesota is giving its water quality standards a fresh look. With public input in their hands, officials are under pressure to add language about …

Social Issues

play sound

Nevada's only sitting Indigenous legislator has introduced a bill to recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day on what she calls the "correct day," the second…

Environment

play sound

The Trump administration has started dismantling the Environmental Protection Agency's office dealing with reducing environmental harms to minority an…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021