Daily Digest: “Unsubstantiated” Ellison allegation forwarded to law enforcement
Good morning. Here's your Tuesday Digest:
1. DFL's Ellison findings forwarded to law enforcement. DFL Party officials are seeking a local law enforcement agency to review investigative materials into a domestic abuse allegation against Rep. Keith Ellison, the party's nominee for Minnesota attorney general, after the party-contracted inquiry could not substantiate the allegation. Karen Monahan, Ellison's ex-girlfriend, said that in 2016 the six-term congressman grabbed her by the foot and dragged her off a bed while he screamed obscenities. She said she took video on her phone of the incident but has declined to release the footage. Ellison has denied the allegation and said the video doesn't exist. (MPR News)
2. Real ID finally becomes reality for Minnesotans. The launch of Real ID cards in Minnesota is off to a smooth start, at least in the initial hours. The state began offering new federally-compliant driver's licenses and IDs at the start of business Monday morning. Applicants are required to provide an additional form of identification and that is expected to slow the process. But officials reported relatively light demand for the new licenses, which will be required for boarding airliners and some other federally regulated activities on October 1, 2020. The state's existing licenses and IDs have been grandfathered in until then. (MPR News)
3. Minnesota immigrants worried about Trump proposal. When Le Wang emigrated from China six years ago to start a new life in the Twin Cities, the business analyst dreamed of one day bringing his mother to join him. But now he worries he must give up the dream because of a proposal by the Trump administration cracking down on immigrants who are deemed likely to use government benefits. “This could tear apart my family,” said Wang, 31, as he held his newborn daughter at his home in Cottage Grove. “The uncertainties are keeping me awake at night.” Wang’s fears are not unusual across Minnesota’s immigrant communities — even among naturalized citizens and others living here legally. (Star Tribune)
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4. Minnesota ag groups welcome Trump's NAFTA replacement. Farm groups are supporting President Trump's new trade deal with Mexico and Canada, but they said more needs to be done. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement as it's known, still faces a long path before it would take effect. Congress must approve the deal, and Trump said he's "not at all confident" it will, worrying political concerns will get in the way. The top Democrat on the U.S. House agriculture committee, Minnesota's Collin Peterson, said he's happy the deal is moving forward. Peterson said he's pleased with the "access and provisions" the deal appears to have secured. (MPR News)
5. Recyclable take-out packaging coming to St. Paul? St. Paul’s restaurants and convenience stores may soon have to ditch their foam and plastic-lined take-out containers. Worried about the impact on small businesses, the St. Paul City Council shot down a proposed ban on non-recyclable to-go containers in October 2017, while promising to revisit the issue in a year. The year is up. (Pioneer Press)