Latest news with #GovTimWalz
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
As Hortmans lie in state, thousands of Minnesotans line up to pay respects
A woman prays before the caskets as Melissa and Mark Hortman lie in state, along with their dog Gilbert Friday, June 27, 2025 at the Minnesota State Capitol. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer) Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman on Friday was surrounded by things she loved: She laid in the Minnesota Capitol where she dedicated 20 years of her life, next to her husband Mark, her golden retriever Gilbert, leafy trees, bright flowers and legions of Minnesotans whom she sought to help through public service. Minnesotans lined up to pay their final respects to Hortman, who was killed on June 14 in a politically motivated assassination. Mark Hortman was also killed, and Gilbert was injured and had to be euthanized. Melissa Hortman is the first woman in Minnesota history to lie in state at the Capitol, and the 20th Minnesotan to be awarded the honor. In the Capitol Rotunda, members of the Minnesota National Guard's honor guard flanked the Hortmans' wooden caskets. Photos of the couple and their dog were on display among the flowers and greenery. Gov. Tim Walz and First Lady Gwen Walz were the first to pay their respects when the memorial opened to the public at noon. They were followed by Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth, her husband and Senate Majority leader Erin Murphy. Thousands of Minnesotans followed, many of them part of the Hortmans' vast network of friends, family and colleagues. Jennifer O'Rourke, director of government relations for Ramsey County, said her friendship with Melissa Hortman predates Hortman's first election to the House in 2004. 'She deserves this,' O'Rourke said, gesturing to the line of Minnesotans wrapped around the block. Many brought flowers or letters to add to the memorial outside the House chambers, where extra tables were brought in to accommodate Friday's contributions from the public. Others mourners had no connection to the Hortmans, but came in solidarity at a perilous moment in the history of the republic and its 32nd state. Carla Peck, 69, took work off to attend the memorial alongside her 2-year-old golden retriever Ollie. Peck didn't know much about the Hortmans until they were killed, but she thought it important to attend. 'I wanted to show respect and appreciation for what the Hortmans did for the state of Minnesota. I thought it's important to bring my golden because goldens are great to share the love. Dogs are very healing,' Peck said. Dave Woosley, 65, drove over an hour from Hastings to the Capitol to pay his respects. He didn't know Melissa Hortman, but he had heard of the extensive amount of work she was able to get done in the Legislature. 'I thought it was important for our fellow citizens to see that we can all come together, whether we agree with her or disagree with her. Just have respect for not only Melissa, but this institution,' Woosley said. Jeff Kolstad, 79, met Hortman in passing while doorknocking and respected her work on the environment. Flowers in hand, he stood in line with his dog Gracie, who 'wanted to pay a tribute to Gilbert.' A private funeral for the Hortmans will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. It will be livestreamed.
New York Times
17 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Times
Mourners Stream Into Minnesota Capitol as Assassination Victims Lie in State
Elected officials and everyday Minnesotans streamed into the white-domed State Capitol on Friday to pay their respects to State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were fatally shot at their suburban Minneapolis home this month. At one point, a line of mourners stretched around the block outside the Capitol in St. Paul as people slowly passed through the rotunda to mourn the Hortmans, who were lying in state in wooden caskets adorned with floral arrangements. An urn for their dog, Gilbert, who was also killed in the attack, was displayed alongside photographs. The authorities have described the killing of Ms. Hortman, a Democrat who previously served as speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, as an assassination. The suspect in the couple's deaths appeared briefly in federal court on Friday. At the Capitol, Gov. Tim Walz and his wife Gwen were the first to approach the caskets. Mayor Melvin Carter of St. Paul wiped tears from his eyes as he passed. Lisa Demuth, the Republican speaker of the State House, was also among the first to pay respects. Dozens of Capitol workers stopped by, some crying or exchanging hugs on the building's steps as they left. Nearby, inside the House chamber, a picture of Ms. Hortman was displayed on her desk alongside a vase holding flowers. As mourners lined up outside the building, some carried bouquets or were accompanied by their dogs. Hours after the procession started, hundreds of people remained in line. Anna Richey, a former Capitol staff member, said she had crossed paths with Ms. Hortman frequently. 'She was as real as she was tough as she was empathetic,' Ms. Richey said. Outside, Faith Mainor said, 'I'd like to see some scaling back of the dialogue that led to this.' And Amy Schulte held flowers and a dog toy that she planned to leave in the rotunda as a tribute to the Hortmans. 'I just felt like it was just a senseless death, just violent, indescribable,' said Ms. Schulte, a Minneapolis resident. Mike Starr arrived hours before the Capitol doors opened. He said he had met Ms. Hortman years ago when he was running for office, and felt it was important to honor her. The shootings, he said, had left him with a series of questions: 'Why? What for? How come?'
CBS News
5 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
2 Minnesotans win lottery over weekend, including $1M Powerball ticket
Two Minnesota Lottery players have cause for celebration after purchasing winning tickets, one of them worth $1 million, in the Twin Cities this weekend. A Powerball ticket purchased at the Cottage Grove Holiday, located at 6921 Pine Arbor Dr., matched the first five winning numbers for Saturday's drawing, according to the Minnesota Lottery. The winning Powerball numbers were 3-16-32-52-62 and the Powerball was 24. Additionally, the Minnesota Lottery says a North 5 ticket worth nearly $100,000 was sold at the Holiday Stationstore in Shakopee for the Friday drawing. Those winning numbers were 4-20-26-30-33. Both Holidays will receive a bonus for selling the winning tickets. The store in Cottage Grove earned $5,000 and the Holiday in Shakopee earned $995. The winners must claim their winnings at the Minnesota Lottery headquarters in Roseville, as is required for prizes above $50,000. They will not be publicly identified unless they choose to be. Winners have one year to claim their prizes and are encouraged to call ahead to check hours and make an appointment. The Powerball jackpot for Monday is an estimated $128 million, while North 5's jackpot is estimated to be $29,000. Minnesotans voted overwhelmingly last November to approve a ballot measure to allow the state to continue using lottery money to protect the environment. In January, Gov. Tim Walz approved $1.2 million of those funds to go towards avian influenza research.
CBS News
18-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Candlelight vigil at Minnesota State Capitol will honor Mark and Melissa Hortman
What the parents of assassinated Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman have to say What the parents of assassinated Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman have to say What the parents of assassinated Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman have to say Lawmakers and the public will gather at the Minnesota State Capitol Wednesday night to honor Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, who were fatally shot over the weekend in what authorities called a political assassination. A candlelight vigil for the Hortmans will take place on the steps of the Capitol from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., the Minnesota House announced. Anyone attending is asked to bring their own candle and refrain from bringing any signs. There will be no speakers at the event, but Gov. Tim Walz's office said he plans to attend the vigil. The Hortmans were shot and killed at their Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, home around 3:30 a.m. Saturday, officials said. The man accused of their killings, Vance Boelter, faces federal and state charges. He is also accused of shooting Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, who both survived, and allegedly visited at least two other lawmakers' homes. Hortman was in her 11th term in the Minnesota Legislature, having first been elected in 2004. She served as speaker emerita of the House, and Walz called her "the most consequential Speaker in state history." In an interview with CBS News, Melissa Hortman's mother Lisa Haluptzok said the pain of her daughter's death is "mind-numbing." "It's been very hard the last few days," her father Patrick Haluptzok said. "In what seems unfair and tragic, the way her last night was spent. We're just trying to get by." The Hortmans' children, Sophie and Colin, said they were "devastated and heartbroken," but offered ways for the public to honor their memory, including planting a treee, petting a dog and standing up for what you believe in, "especially if that thing is justice and peace." The Hortmans received a formal procession through the Twin Cities on Tuesday. Funeral details have not yet been announced.
Forbes
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
Manhunt For Minnesota Shooting Suspect Vance Boelter Enters Second Day (Live Updates)
In what Gov. Tim Walz has characterized as a 'politically motivated assassination,' Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed in their home while state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also shot and are receiving care—and the alleged suspect, Vance Boelter, remains at large as a manhunt continues for a second day. Minn. State Rep. Melissa Hortman on Jan. 3, 2023, in St. Paul, Minn. The FBI announced a $50,000 reward 'for info leading to the arrest and conviction of Vance L. Boelter,' and released a photo (below) that reportedly shows the suspect at the door of one of the shooting victims, apparently wearing a head-covering mask and police costume, early Saturday morning. A police alert warned that the 'suspect is armed and dangerous and may be impersonating law enforcement,' according to the Minnesota Star Tribune. 'My good friend and colleague, Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were shot and killed this morning in what appears to be a politically motivated assassination,' Walz said at a press conference Saturday. At 10:33 a.m. on Saturday, Walz said Hoffman and his wife were 'out of surgery' and receiving care, and that 'we are cautiously optimistic that they will survive this assassination attempt,' though Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, was not able to provide an update in an afternoon news conference on the senator's status. Boelter texted two of his roommates, one told the Minnesota Star Tribune, saying he wrote that he 'may be dead shortly.' According to the roommate, the text read: 'I love you guys. I made some choices, and you guys don't know anything about this, but I'm going to be gone for a while. May be dead shortly, so I just want to let you know I love you guys both and I wish it hadn't gone this way. I don't want to say anything more and implicate you in any way because you guys don't know anything about this. But I love you guys and I'm sorry for all the trouble this has caused.' President Donald Trump issued a statement Saturday on the shootings, saying he had 'been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota,' and 'such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America.' Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino posted on X the bureau 'is working in collaboration with our local and state partners.' The FBI released an image of who they believe is Vance Boelter, who appears to be wearing a mask and ... More police outfit while at the front door Saturday morning of one of the shooting victims. Authorities from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety released this photo and public alert ... More about the suspect in the killing of a state representative. Minnesota police released these images of suspected shooter Vance Boelter. At a press briefing at around 4 p.m. EDT, state police shared images of the suspect, 57-year-old Vance Boelter, characterizing him as a 6-foot-1 inch white male, about 220 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes, and said he was wearing a light-colored cowboy hat and dark shirt when last seen. Authorities asked the public to call 911 if they see Boelter, but not to approach him, as he's considered armed and dangerous. Local police told the Minnesota Star Tribune that, early Saturday morning, they noticed an SUV with emergency lights and someone who initially appeared to be a police officer at Hortman's door, but the person, allegedly Boelter, 'immediately fired at officers' after being confronted, and fled back into the house. Mark Bruley, the chief of police in Brooklyn Park, said police searched the vehicle and uncovered a list that identified 'many lawmakers and other officials,' including Hortman and Hoffman, according to MinnPost. CNN reports Boelter's apparent list included 70 names, including 'abortion providers,' and 'pro-abortion rights advocates.' Police also said they found sheets of paper with 'No Kings' written on them, a likely reference to the widespread protests planned for Saturday. CNN also reported Boelter, according to a law enforcement official, works for a Minnesota-based security company named Praetorian Guard Security. He is listed on the company website's leadership page as director of security patrols, and described as having 'on the ground experiences combined with training by both private security firms and by people in the U.S. Military.' This photo provided by Minnesota State Patrol shows writings in the fake police car law enforcement ... More officials believe Vance Boelter allegedly used in the shooting of two Democratic legislators in Minnesota on Saturday. Hortman, 55, was a top Democratic leader in the Minnesota Legislature. First elected in 2004, she served as House speaker from 2019 to 2025 and spearheaded key legislation, including universal free school lunches statewide and a red flag gun law—which allows police or family members to petition the courts to have a gun removed from those considered a threat to themselves or others—according to the Minnesota Star Tribune. Hoffman, 60 and also a top Democrat in the legislature, is a member of the state Senate first elected in 2012. He served as chair of the Human Services Committee, according to CBS News, and has also served on committees for energy, environment and health services.
