COVID-19 disagreements, shock after US Capitol riot color first week of Minnesota legislative session
The Minnesota Legislature this week kicked off the 2021 legislative session amid divisions over pandemic response and calls for unity after a mob stormed the U.S. Capitol. 1:29 pm, Jan. 8, 2021 ×
A security fence is in place around the Minnesota State Capitol building. Photographed on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020. The fence was installed during the civil unrest that followed the killing of George Floyd. (John Autey / St. Paul Pioneer Press)
ST. PAUL After months of political bickering in the nation s only divided Legislature, Minnesota state lawmakers reconvened this week only to be interrupted Wednesday, Jan. 6, by an attack on the U.S. Capitol, an event that shook the nation.
Community members continue to question why law enforcement authorities conducted a high-risk raid on the family home of Dolal Idd, who was shot and killed by police last week. Family members have said authorities entered their home with guns early Thursday, zip-tied the adults and didn’t tell them that their son had been killed until after the search was over.
2021 Session off to a mostly virtual start
State lawmakers returned the Minnesota Capitol Tuesday, but many made the trip only in spirit, logging in from home or their legislative offices due to the pandemic Author: John Croman Updated: 11:24 PM CST January 5, 2021
ST PAUL, Minn January 5, 2021 wasn t your traditional opening day in the Minnesota Legislature. Th
ere was no sign of the normal class reunion vibe with hugs, high fives and selfies. The pandemic protocol dictated a much more subdued launch at the State Capitol.
In fact, 113 of 134 House members took their oaths of office from remote locations around the Capitol complex and other places in order to limit exposure the coronavirus inside the House Chamber. They appeared in groups of nine a TV monitor on the House floor, split up Brady Bunch style, to be sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Paul Thissen.
The video, which was released for public viewing on Saturday, shows Hennepin County Sheriff's Office SWAT members executing a "knock and announce" search warrant on the last known address of 23-year-old Dolal Idd .