Andrew Wright's Blog

BY ANDREW WRIGHT The Minnesota House of Representatives public safety committee approved a 'red flag' gun legislation bill Thursday, according to the Pioneer Press. The legislation would allow courts to have guns be taken away from people that are deemed to pose a risk to themselves or others. The legislation will go to the House floor to win full approval from the House, where it is expected to pass with a Democrat-controlled House. The vote was tightly contested and the committee voted along party lines, according to KSTP.  The final committee vote was 10-7 in favor of approving the legislation and bringing the bill the House floor. If the bill passes in the House, it will face more resistance in the Minnesota Republican-controlled Senate. Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka took to Twitter after the House vote. "We will not allow red flag or universal background check laws to pass,” Gazelka said. While the legislation will have a hearing on the House floor,

BY ANDREW WRIGHT After her presidential announcement early February, Sen. Amy Klobuchar's emphasis on her Minnesota roots  stirred a lot of discussion among students at the University of Minnesota. Klobuchar's emphasis struck a cord with two students at the university, who were excited to have a representative from Minnesota running for president. "I feel like a lot of candidates don't come from the Midwest, so it's really cool to see one from Minnesota," said Sam Portinga, a junior at the university studying communications.  "It's nice to see her sticking to her roots and not trying to distance herself from Minnesota. It's really exciting that Minnesota is actually getting some attention," said Carley Dowell, a sophomore in the College of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resource Sciences. However, Klobuchar's message didn't resonant with two other students at the university, who didn't see Klobuchar's empha

BY ANDREW WRIGHT In the story from the New York Times,  Marlins Rookie Victor Victor Mesa Appears to Hurt Hamstring , the author covers the breaking injury report on one of the Florida Marlins up-and-coming players. When the article was first published, there was a lot of speculation in the article since the facts of Mesa's injury were not completely known. All that was reported in the beginning of the story was Mesa appeared to injure his right hamstring as he grabbed onto his leg after attempting to run to first base before being called out. As the story developed, more facts were reported on the specifics on the injury and the timetable for Mesa's return. The author confirmed that Mesa appeared to injure his right hamstring, and that the team was classifying the injury as a right hamstring strain. the author also updated the story by saying that Mesa would be undergoing further tests Monday to confirm the injury and begin healing the hamstring. Once Mesa undergoes addi

BY ANDREW WRIGHT In a video posted on social media Friday, Sen Dianne Feinstein can be seen arguing with schoolchildren over the Green New Deal, according to the Star Tribune. Students confronted Feinstein with the hope of convincing the senator to support the Green New Deal legislation introduced to Congress by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Sen. Edward Markey of Massachusetts. Feinstein told the students she did not support the legislation with questions about how to pay for it. According to the Washington Post, the students are a part of a group called the Sunrise Movement, a movement of young people that advocate for ambitious action on climate change. The group has been active in its goal to elect politicians that will address climate change and endorse the Green New Deal, holding several rallies and protests this week.

BY ANDREW WRIGHT Sen. Amy Klobuchar announced Friday her support for legalizing marijuana, according to the Pioneer Press. Klobuchar joins a list of other Democratic candidates who have come out in support of the legalization of marijuana. The list of candidates includes Sens. Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, Kamala Harris, and Kristen Gillibrand. Klobuchar had been ambiguous about her stance on legalization of marijuana in the past, according to the Star Tribune.  Klobuchar has not been as vocal on the issue compared to her Democratic colleagues. Several other senators have proposed legislation to legalize marijuana in the past. Support for marijuana legalization has grown recently. According to the Star Tribune, a survey conducted in November last year found 60 percent of respondents supported legalization, and the percentage continues to grow. Recreational marijuana is illegal in Minnesota, bu the state allows for certain medicinal marijuana purposes.

House Rep. Ilhan Omar was on the hit list of a Coast Guard lieutenant who was arrested last week on suspicion of a domestic terrorism plot, according to the MinnPost. Christopher Paul Hasson was arrested last week on gun and drug charges. Law enforcement found weapons and ammunition at Hasson's home, along with a hit with names of several journalists and Democratic representaitives and leaders. The list included House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Elizabeth Warren, and Ilhan Omar. According to the Pioneer Press , Hasson has expressed support for extremist ideas in the past, and has written emails detailing his beliefs. In a found draft email from 2017, Hasson said he was, "dreaming of a way to kill almost every last person on the earth.” In a separate email, Hasson described himself as a white nationalist and supported violence in order to preserve a "white homeland," the Pioneer Press said. Hasson is scheduled to appear in Marylan

BY ANDREW WRIGHT In the Star Tribune article, "Sen. Amy Klobuchar points to importance of Midwest in campaign stops in Wisconsin, Iowa,"  the author focused on Sen. Klobuchar's trips to Wisconsin and Iowa and the message she's sending as Klobuchar prepares for her presidential campaign. The author starts the article by reiterating the apparent foundation of Klobuchar's campaign, which is her pledge to reinvigorate bipartisanship in Congress. Klobuchar has emphasized her ability to work with representatives on the other side of the political spectrum and has made it a staple of her campaign. Including this point in the beginning of the article shows the importance of Klobuchar's emphasis on bipartisanship and separates it from the other points in the article.  The author then explains another major point in Klobuchar's campaign, which is her emphasis on her Minnesota roots. The author expands on this point in a subhead as Klobuchar has put great i

BY ANDREW WRIGHT A University of Minnesota freshman football player was kicked off the University's football team Friday after punching a police officer, according to the Star Tribune. Maxwell Janes was arrested around midnight Friday by police. According to the Minnesota Daily,  while in the cop car, Janes told police he needed to exit the vehicle to vomit. While outside the car, Janes apparently punched a police officer in the face. Janes was subsequently arrested and charged with fourth degree assault of an officer. Gopher head coach P.J. Fleck responded to the incident Friday, writing a statement that said, "We have extremely high standards for members of our team and when those standards are not met there are consequences. The behavior exhibited in this situation is completely unacceptable and contradictory to the culture we are creating." Last season, Janes played 13 games for the Gophers, all on special teams.

BY ANDREW WRIGHT Three people died and one sheriff's deputy sustained injuries Thursday after a shooting in Nevis, according to the Pioneer Press. The Star Tribune reported that Hubbard County deputies responded to a shooting outside a home in Nevis around 8 p.m. and found one woman dead at the scene. The suspect fled the scene in the woman's car and police pursued the suspect. During the car chase, the suspect shot at authorities and injured one deputy. The suspect drove the car into a ditch along County Road 119, where they exchanged gunfire with deputies. During the exchange, the suspect went into the car, and it was determined that the suspect had died, according to the Pioneer Press.  A deputy found a second victim dead in the backseat of the car. Law enforcement officials have not released the names and gender of the suspect and second victim. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

BY ANDREW WRIGHT Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe said Thursday that officials in the Justice Department discussed removing President Trump from office after firing former FBI directer James Comey, according to the Star Tribune. McCabe said in an interview that officials discussed invoking the 25th Amendment of the Constitution after Comey's firing. McCabe also said he demanded the FBI team investigating whether Russia interfered in the 2016 election to also investigate whether Trump's firing of Comey was obstruction of justice, according to the New York Times. Trump and Congress Republicans reacted swiftly to McCabe's comments, criticizing the former deputy as having a bias against the president. Trump took to Twitter , where he said, "McCabe is a disgrace to the FBI and a disgrace to our Country." North Carolina Rep. Mark Meadows joined Trump in criticizing McCabe. Meadows said on his Twitter his page , "McCabe has zero credibility."

BY ANDREW WRIGHT In the Star Tribune article, "Possible impeachment could further upend Virginia politics,"  the author includes numerous sources regarding controversies about Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, and Attorney General Mark Herring. The author's sources primarily include quotes from Northam, unnamed Virginia legislators, and political observers. Northam was the primary source the author used in the article. Since Northam holds the highest political office in Virginia, the author used the governor as a consistent source throughout the article, although increasing controversy is building around Fairfax, who is accused of sexually assaulting two women. The attributions are scattered throughout the story and are not really clustered in any section of the article. The sources are typically from people, specifically individuals involved with lawmaking in Virginia politics or political analysts. The one relevant record to the story would be

BY ANDREW WRIGHT Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said he will not resign Saturday after a photograph from the governor's medical school yearbook revealed an individual dressed in blackface and another in a Ku Klux Klan outfit, according to CNN. Northam initially admitted to being one the individuals in the photo, but later retracted his statement and denied being involved in the photo, according to the Washington Post.  Northam also admitted to once darkening his face to resemble a Michael Jackson costume for a dance contest in the 1980s, a CNN article said. Calls for Northam to resign continue to escalate, as many Democrats criticize Northam for his actions and believe him to not be fit to serve as governor. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont took to his Twitter and said, "Gov. Northam should resign. Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax should step in and begin a new day for Virginia." Former Vice President Joe Biden also took to Twitter , where he said, "There is no place for ra

Sen. Amy Klobuchar could be announcing her candidacy to run for president in 2020, according to Kare 11. On Wednesday, Klobuchar posted a video on her twitter page , in which the senator said, "I have a little announcement to make!" It is believed that Klobuchar will join the other announced candidates to challenge President Trump in 2020. Klobuchar would be joining aw long list of announced candidates, some of which include her colleagues in the Senate, according to the Star Tribune. Cory Booker of New Jersey, Kamala Harris of California, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York have all announced their candidacy. Other notable public officials are expected to announce their candidacy, as well. Former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont are also considering to announce their candidacies for 2020. Klobuchar is scheduled to make her announcement Sunday at 1 p.m. in Boom Island Park.

BY ANDREW WRIGHT St. Paul and Minneapolis schools canceled Friday classes as frigid weather continues throughout the state, according to the Star Tribune. The cold weather began to affect metro area schools last week when windchill temperatures reached close to 50 below for several areas, causing schools to cancel classes for several days. According to the Pioneer Press , Friday's cancellation marks the fifth day of this school year cancelled due to cold weather. It also marks the fifth day in the last two weeks were schools have cancelled class due to weather. The frigid temperatures have also led to numerous reports of car accidents and injuries. On Thursday, 413 crashes were reported before 3:30 p.m., according to a Star Tribune article. Many cities reported snowfall above four inches, according to the Star Tribune . Some cities even reported as much as nine inches. More snow could be expected next week.

BY ANDREW WRIGHT In the Star Tribune article,  "Grammy-nominated rapper 21 Savage in US immigration custody,"  the author begins the article by stating what event happened to the notable music artist and where the event occurred. The author makes sure to point out 21 Savage's relevance to society and pop culture by including that 21 Savage is a Grammy-nominated rapper. The author also makes clear to point out that 21 Savage is in immigration custody but doesn’t elaborate on that point in the lead. The lead does a good job of notifying readers the main point of the article without explaining the details of the situation to try and get the audience to continue reading the story. The author decided to exclude when, why, and how 21 Savage’s arrest occurred. The story is currently ongoing, which could explain why the author excluded when the event occurred from the lead. The author expanded upon why 21 Savage was taken into custody later in the article and thus di

BY ANDREW WRIGHT The Stone Arch Bridge will undergo reconstruction after enough funding was provided for the project, according to the Star Tribune. The Southwest Journal reported that repairs for the bridge will likely begin in 2020 and will cost approximately $15 million. The federal government will reportedly provide $12 million for the project, while Minnesota will contribute $3 million worth of funding. Without adequate funding, the Stone Arch Bridge risked being shut down due to its deteriorating stability. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has consistently asked for funding to repairthe bridge. With adequate funding now provided, MnDot is excited to start restorative process. Construction of the bridge is not expected to last too long. According to the Star Tribune , engineers working on the bridge don't expect the bridge to be closed for too long, possibly not at all.

BY ANDREW WRIGHT Mitch McConnell clashed with Congress Democrats Wednesday as the Senate majority leader criticized legislation that would make Election Day a federal holiday, according to the New York Times. McConnell referred to the legislation as a "power grab" by Democrats as an attempt to consolidate power. McConnell's remarks received heavy criticism from Democrats, who defended the legislation as an attempt to make voting easier for citizens and to restore democracy, according to CNN.  Some took to Twitter to criticize McConnell. Former Senator Barbara Boxer said on Twitter , "What is Mitch afraid of? Answer: the people." This clash continues a trend of gridlock between Republicans and Democrats as tempers continue to flair in Congress.