41st governor of Minnesota; former U.S. representative; Army National Guard veteran
Wildfire smoke from Canadian blazes is driving unhealthy air quality across the US Northeast and Great Lakes. Officials warn residents to limit outdoor activity as rain is forecast to disperse smoke. Spain and Argentina prepare for the World Cup final in New Jersey amid concerns about air quality.
California has been the focus of ongoing investigations into Medicare and Medicaid fraud, with authorities charging 21 individuals for schemes involving stolen identities and fraudulent billing for hospice services. Despite prior efforts, fraud continues to be a significant issue, prompting federal and state agencies to intensify their crackdown efforts.
Minnesota lawmakers have pressed for documents and communications linked to the Feeding Our Future fraud case, including potentially those between Ilhan Omar’s office and defendants. The request comes as a federal investigation and state oversight continue to unfold, with 22 search warrants executed and new evidence tied to the MEALS Act and Safari Restaurant.
With mail-in voting opening for the June 2 primary, California's gubernatorial field remains unsettled. A crowded slate including Democrats and Republicans has limited consensus, raising questions about the path to a contest against a Democrat-led state government. Recent campaign twists and endorsements have not yielded a clear frontrunner.
Minnesota has enacted a state ban on prediction markets, criminalizing creation, operation or advertising of such markets starting Aug. 1. The move has triggered a federal lawsuit from the CFTC, which argues the state oversteps its authority and undermines federal regulation. The ban centers on markets tied to sports, elections, and other future events, with penalties up to five years in prison and fines for operators.
Federal prosecutors have charged dozens in the Minnesota Feeding Our Future network for pandemic-era fraud, with Aimee Bock's case highlighting the broader scheme. New indictments and sentencing developments are shaping ongoing scrutiny of Medicaid and related relief programs nationwide.
Vance Boelter has pleaded guilty in federal court to murdering Melissa Hortman and her husband, and wounding state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife. A sentencing date has not been set; prosecutors say the Department will not seek the death penalty under a proposed plea agreement. Boelter was captured the day after the shootings in Green Isle.
Vance has referred Minnesota Governor Walz and Attorney General Ellison to the Justice Department for potential investigation, citing a House Oversight Committee report on fraud in state programs. The move follows reporting that whistleblowers faced discipline and that fraud warnings were not acted upon. The Justice Department has not commented.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has said federal agents have contacted friends, former staff and donors tied to him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and has accused President Donald Trump of ordering a politically motivated investigation as he considers a 2028 presidential run. Multiple outlets report the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California has been handling separate inquiries that began with local whistleblower tips, including probes into the first partner’s taxes and former chief of staff Dana Williamson, who pleaded guilty to federal charges.
In a new memoir, J.D. Vance has conceded that he mischaracterized Democrats as “childless cat ladies.” The admission appears in Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith, published as he weighs a 2028 presidential bid. The remarks previously sparked backlash during his vice-presidential and Senate pursuits.
Georgia's Legislature has extended the deadline to replace the QR-code-based vote tallying system to January 1, 2028, while creating a committee to set requirements for a new system. The measure pauses the July 1 deadline and outlines funding and implementation for 2028. The change comes as elections officials prepare for the 2028 cycle.
A federal judge has ruled that grand jury subpoenas in a Minnesota immigration probe were issued to coerce officials into aiding civil-immigration enforcement and to harass political opponents. The decision unseals findings that the subpoenas targeted Gov. Walz and other state and local leaders.
Officials say a string of fatal incidents involving immigration enforcement have prompted renewed scrutiny of DHS vetting and tactics. The Maine and Houston shootings have sparked demands for independent investigations and reforms as lawmakers push for oversight.
Canadian wildfire smoke is spreading toward the Great Lakes and Northeast, pushing air quality into unhealthy ranges. Officials warn residents to stay indoors, wear masks where needed, and prepare cooling options as heat intensifies.
The northeastern U.S. faces hazy skies as Canadian wildfire smoke swirls into the region ahead of Sunday’s Spain v Argentina final in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Weather fronts are expected to clear much of the haze, improving air quality for the open-air showpiece.
Governor Walz has signed the Grandparents’ Happy Hour measure, allowing alcohol at senior living events with prior notice, removing usual licensing barriers. The law goes into effect August 1 and aims to boost social life and dignity for residents.