Latest news with #SteveSimon
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rep. Duane Quam questions secretary of state's refusal to comply with fed's request for voting data
Jul. 30—ST. PAUL — GOP Rep. Duane Quam of Byron is urging Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon to reconsider his refusal to provide President Trump's Department of Justice with a copy of its statewide voter registration list. The Department of Justice's voting section, in a June letter, asked for information regarding the state's compliance with the Help America Vote Act and, in particular, how it handles voter registration, voter-roll maintenance, security protocols, and steps taken to identify and remove noncitizens. Simon's office rejected the DOJ's request last week. It noted that the list includes personal identifying information on several million voters and the request lacked "clear justification for the data." Simon's office also said it would require guarantees showing that "the data will be protected and used properly before it can consider whether it is appropriate to share Minnesota's voter registration list." "As a result, it is the long-standing practice of the OSS not to disclose any information contained on its statewide voter registration list unless expressly required by law," Justin Erickson, the secretary of state's general counsel, wrote in a Friday, July 25, 2025, letter. Quam, who co-chairs the House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee, called Simon's decision "extremely puzzling and disappointing." He cited recent federal convictions of individuals who tried to register illegal and fake voters in the state. "In order to fulfill their obligations under the law, the Department of Justice needs to verify compliance and ensure citizen voting rights are protected," Quam wrote. "To do this they need access to information which you are withholding." Quam also questioned the grounds for refusing the DOJ's request for statewide voter registration list because it contained "personal identifying information." He noted that such private information was not something that the DOJ was requesting. "The statewide registered voter list is available to purchase by the public on your website for $46, with personal identifying information removed," Quam wrote. Quam's letter was signed by five other state representatives. As reported by Stateline, a nonprofit news service, the DOJ is seeking the voter registration lists of other states, including Alaska, Colorado, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The requests come ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, raising questions and concerns about how the Trump administration plans to use the information. In his letter, Quam wrote that Minnesota is projecting a $6 billion deficit and "can ill afford a costly lawsuit with the federal government." The DOJ's focus on elections comes after President Trump directed U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi in March to seek information about suspected election crimes from state officials. Trump also authorized her to potentially withhold grants and other funds from uncooperative states, Stateline reported. Trump has maintained for years that 2020 election was stolen from him when he lost to Democrat Joe Biden, a claim rejected by the courts and not supported by the evidence, experts and officials such as then-Attorney General Bill Barr have said.
Eater
2 days ago
- Business
- Eater
Longtime Midtown Seafood Restaurant Lure Is Closing
Henna Bakshi is the Regional Editor, South at Eater and an award-winning food and wine journalist with a WSET (Wine and Spirits Education Trust) Level 3 degree. She oversees coverage in Atlanta, Miami, New Orleans, the Carolinas, and Nashville. Lure Saltwater Kitchen and Bar is closing in Midtown after its final service on August 30. It will serve some of its classic seafood dishes for the next month to honor its 14 years on Crescent Avenue. The establishment is owned by Fifth Group Restaurants, which also owns Ela, La Tavola, South City Kitchen, Ecco, and Alma Cocina. 'We're incredibly proud of what Lure has been providing and are deeply grateful to the guests and teams who made it so special,' said Steve Simon, founder and CEO of Fifth Group Restaurants, in a statement. 'As we look to the future, we'll evolve with our guests' desires and invest in exciting new opportunities.' Lure employees will be absorbed by Fifth Group's other restaurants. After August 30, the space will remain open for private events until the end of the year. 'We are humbled and filled with gratitude for the love this city has shown us,' says Lure's Instagram post. 'To all of the guests and team members who have made Lure such a special place, we want to say thank you. But ideally, not in a social post… We'd rather say it in person over a Tackle Box and a Supressor Spritz.' The restaurant is listed for sale for $550,000. Eater Atlanta All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
CNN
14-06-2025
- Politics
- CNN
A ‘formidable public servant.' Who was Melissa Hortman, the Minnesota congresswoman assassinated in her home?
A dedicated volunteer who taught Sunday school and loved dogs. A lawyer who served as a Girl Scout leader and worked at her dad's auto parts store. A mother and wife whose husband was killed alongside her. Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman was more than just the state House's top Democrat, according to those who knew her. She 'was a bright shining light of a human being,' Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, who went to law school with Hortman, said in a post on X. Hortman and her husband Mark were shot and killed Saturday morning at their Brooklyn Park home in 'a politically motivated assassination,' Gov. Tim Walz said. The suspect, Vance Boelter, is on the run, officials said. Hortman, a 'formidable public servant,' will be remembered as a giant in Minnesota, Walz said. 'A lifelong resident of the northern suburbs,' Hortman, 55, grew up in Spring Lake Park and Andover, according to a previous campaign page. She graduated from Blaine High School, about 24 miles north of the Minnesota state Capitol where she would later serve as speaker of the house. Hortman worked for then-Senators Al Gore and John Kerry after graduating from Boston College before returning to Minnesota to get her law degree at the University of Minnesota, according to the campaign website and her profile on the Minnesota Legislature website. Gore said he was 'horrified' and 'appalled' by Hortman's assassination, the latest in a string of violence against elected officials. He said in a post on X Hortman had a lasting impact on him, his team, and 'many others who worked with her throughout her impactful career as a public servant and leading climate advocate.' A member of the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), Hortman was elected to the state House of Representatives in 2004, and represented District 34B in the northern suburbs of Minneapolis. She served as Speaker of the House from 2019 to 2025 and was DFL Leader when she was killed, according to her legislative profile. A previous campaign page touted her 2013 efforts to enact Minnesota's solar energy standard and community solar laws, and said she was 'particularly active in the areas of transportation, K-12 education funding, higher education, energy, and the environment.' Hortman was also involved with equity and inclusion in Brooklyn Park, the suburb where she lived and died, serving on what is now known as the Brooklyn Park Human Rights Commission, according to her campaign bio. 'She was wise, she was caring, she was brilliant and her smile lifted people up in a good times and helped them through the bad,' Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who knew Hortman for over 20 years, said in a statement. The state House's Republican leader, Speaker Lisa Demuth, said Hortman was 'respected by everyone at the Capitol.' 'She has had a profound impact on this institution and on my own leadership… We worked together for the last several years to build a strong relationship based on our shared values and our commitment to making our state better,' Demuth said in a statement. After the 2022 midterm elections, Hortman told CNN affiliate WCCO 'choice, climate, gun violence prevention and protecting democracy' would be priorities for the Minnesota state legislature. Legislation on abortion protections, she said at the time, would be 'one of the first if not the first bill passed.' Hortman co-authored recent bills concerning reproductive health care, gender-affirming health care, a state health care public option, and paid family leave among other issues. On Saturday, investigators found a hit list in Boelter's car with nearly 70 names, including abortion providers, pro-abortion rights advocates and lawmakers in Minnesota and other states, a law enforcement official briefed on the matter told CNN. CNN has learned all the Democratic members of Minnesota's Congressional delegation were on the suspect's alleged target list, according to a law enforcement source. 'Melissa was a good friend and we started in politics at the same time and were always there for each other. She was a true public servant to the core, dedicating her life to serving Minnesotans with integrity and compassion,' Minnesota Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar wrote in a post on X. 'Melissa's legacy will endure, but today we grieve deeply.'
CNN
14-06-2025
- Politics
- CNN
A ‘formidable public servant.' Who was Melissa Hortman, the Minnesota congresswoman assassinated in her home?
A dedicated volunteer who taught Sunday school and loved dogs. A lawyer who served as a Girl Scout leader and worked at her dad's auto parts store. A mother and wife whose husband was killed alongside her. Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman was more than just the state House's top Democrat, according to those who knew her. She 'was a bright shining light of a human being,' Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, who went to law school with Hortman, said in a post on X. Hortman and her husband Mark were shot and killed Saturday morning at their Brooklyn Park home in 'a politically motivated assassination,' Gov. Tim Walz said. The suspect, Vance Boelter, is on the run, officials said. Hortman, a 'formidable public servant,' will be remembered as a giant in Minnesota, Walz said. 'A lifelong resident of the northern suburbs,' Hortman, 55, grew up in Spring Lake Park and Andover, according to a previous campaign page. She graduated from Blaine High School, about 24 miles north of the Minnesota state Capitol where she would later serve as speaker of the house. Hortman worked for then-Senators Al Gore and John Kerry after graduating from Boston College before returning to Minnesota to get her law degree at the University of Minnesota, according to the campaign website and her profile on the Minnesota Legislature website. Gore said he was 'horrified' and 'appalled' by Hortman's assassination, the latest in a string of violence against elected officials. He said in a post on X Hortman had a lasting impact on him, his team, and 'many others who worked with her throughout her impactful career as a public servant and leading climate advocate.' A member of the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), Hortman was elected to the state House of Representatives in 2004, and represented District 34B in the northern suburbs of Minneapolis. She served as Speaker of the House from 2019 to 2025 and was DFL Leader when she was killed, according to her legislative profile. A previous campaign page touted her 2013 efforts to enact Minnesota's solar energy standard and community solar laws, and said she was 'particularly active in the areas of transportation, K-12 education funding, higher education, energy, and the environment.' Hortman was also involved with equity and inclusion in Brooklyn Park, the suburb where she lived and died, serving on what is now known as the Brooklyn Park Human Rights Commission, according to her campaign bio. 'She was wise, she was caring, she was brilliant and her smile lifted people up in a good times and helped them through the bad,' Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who knew Hortman for over 20 years, said in a statement. The state House's Republican leader, Speaker Lisa Demuth, said Hortman was 'respected by everyone at the Capitol.' 'She has had a profound impact on this institution and on my own leadership… We worked together for the last several years to build a strong relationship based on our shared values and our commitment to making our state better,' Demuth said in a statement. After the 2022 midterm elections, Hortman told CNN affiliate WCCO 'choice, climate, gun violence prevention and protecting democracy' would be priorities for the Minnesota state legislature. Legislation on abortion protections, she said at the time, would be 'one of the first if not the first bill passed.' Hortman co-authored recent bills concerning reproductive health care, gender-affirming health care, a state health care public option, and paid family leave among other issues. On Saturday, investigators found a hit list in Boelter's car with nearly 70 names, including abortion providers, pro-abortion rights advocates and lawmakers in Minnesota and other states, a law enforcement official briefed on the matter told CNN. CNN has learned all the Democratic members of Minnesota's Congressional delegation were on the suspect's alleged target list, according to a law enforcement source. 'Melissa was a good friend and we started in politics at the same time and were always there for each other. She was a true public servant to the core, dedicating her life to serving Minnesotans with integrity and compassion,' Minnesota Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar wrote in a post on X. 'Melissa's legacy will endure, but today we grieve deeply.'
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'No Kings' protest organizers urge CNY to join in
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR) — As protests over Trump's policies on immigration continue nationwide, Syracuse protest organizers prepare for Saturday's 'No Kings' protest. 'We are concerned this administration's belief that they can impose their will upon the American people and that they can punish those who disagree with them,' Jessica Hess said. Steve Simon, one of the organizers, said the time to act is now after seeing a disdain for the law in Washington, D.C. 'I've seen, in the last four months, a really fast degradation of the belief that we have to follow those laws…that certain people have to follow those laws,' Simon said. 'So, that's what's gotten me off the couch, and out of the office, and into the streets.' Jen Edgerton said she decided to start protesting after President Donald Trump's inauguration day. 'Just ignoring the Constitution, and in particular for me, it was due process,' Edgerton said. 'That was my tipping point.' Organizers are urging everyone in Central New York to attend the protest, happening from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the Solar Street parking lots in front of Destiny USA. 'You don't need to have a group of friends to come with you because everybody down there will be in solidarity with you,' she said. Simon recognized tomorrow's protest coincides with Flag Day and wants everyone to be proud of their country, as well. 'It is a very patriotic bunch of people,' he said. 'It is not radicalism. It is not, you know, insurrectionism. It is the opposite of that. It is defending what we all grew up with as a democracy.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
