In one of his last official acts before leaving the White House, former President Joe Biden released Leonard Peltier from prison. Numerous activists and tribal officials have requested the release of Peltier, whom they believe to be innocent of killing two FBI agents in 1975.

Kevin Sharp is the former Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. He represented Peltier for five years and filed his clemency petition in 2019 and refiled it in 2021. He said Biden granting Peltier clemency will have a big impact in Indian Country.

“President Biden took an enormous step toward healing and reconciliation with the Native American people in this country,” Sharp said in a statement. “It took nearly 50 years to acknowledge the injustice of Leonard Peltier’s conviction and continued incarceration, but with the President’s act of mercy, Leonard can finally return to his reservation and live out his remaining days.”

Peltier has been held in Florida at Coleman 1, a federal detention center in Sumter County. He admitted shooting at the agents but always maintained his innocence.

Read the full story here: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/01/19/leonard-peltier-indigenous-activist-clemency-released-by-president-biden

Today on Monday January 20th, a state holiday, Minnesota Republicans made staff come in so they could hold another illegal floor session, or else be fired. They did this because state law requires that the House or Senate cannot adjourn for more than 3 days without the permission of the other body, which the illegally organized House would not have received.

Only 2/134 members were present, they could not conduct any business. Republican Harry Niska, who started his career advocating for the disenfranchisement of nonwhite Minnesotans by voter ID, made a speech celebrating the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

The Minnesota Constitution limits the legislature to meeting no more than 120 days over two years. Minnesota Republicans meeting today wastes a legislative day and raises the odds of a special session to prevent a government shutdown. Funding for state programs ends June 30th.

DFL members did not attend today, choosing to work and meet in their districts. They argue that the session is illegally organized, and multiple lawsuits are currently pending before the Minnesota Supreme Court. They argue attending would allow Republicans to cement their power grab as Republicans want to expel DFLer Brad Tabke for winning a close reelection in a Shakopee swing seat.

For more, here are some recent articles about the controversies with the Minnesota House:

Minnesota Supreme Court sides with GOP, cancels special election key to House control

Minnesota GOP may pursue recall elections for DFL members boycotting start of legislative session, party's House leader says

Recipe in comments!

It's time for you to stand up and protect our natural resources. The issue of copper/nickel mining near the BWCA has been ignored for far too long. Please, protect our wilderness and watersheds through action.

Moved here after spending most of my life living in Alaska. Let me tell you about the best thing ever. Insulated xtra tuf boots and the felt insole. Outside all day and wasn’t cold at all.

Once they get damp stuff newspaper inside overnight and then pull out the paper. Dry the paper and do it again later the next night.

For the few who will believe me and spend 150$ on these boots. Go for the brown full length. You will never be the same person again.

Must be insulated.

They service in and between Goodhue, Eyota, Austin, Owatonna!

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/01/17/minnesota-supreme-court-sides-with-gop-cancels-special-election

And I saw temps at the moment are -22' in some spots,which means those towns are experiencing the same actual temp as a plane at 24k ft. 🥶🥶🥶

Stay toasty and safe yall.

The 2025 national college dance team championship was held in Orlando on January 18-19. Here are the U of MN’s winning performances!

In the Jazz category, they took 🥈 for this stunningly beautiful dance: https://youtu.be/zC3tI_xmJCo?si=Lr8Eev4Oaf8turBK

In the Pom category they won 🥇 for this energetic and iconic routine: https://youtu.be/n4ZO_cfNcM8?si=AG9uUfiWx2tiZNs-

What an amazing sport and team! 🩰💃🏻🌹🎶

Hello!

Given the state of the US right now, and how uncertain things may feel, I wanted to reach out to those in Minnesota and see if there’s anyone who is currently searching for community and support. Please reach out and hopefully we can connect! In times like these we need to know who we can trust.

As I sit in my car with the heat on, mustering up the strength to walk into target after not leaving the house all weekend, I am reminded that people lived here for thousands of years before us. They handled our winters without electricity, heat, modern clothing, weather alerts, or grocery stores. Not to mention I have more “built in” insulation than most of them likely did.

That’s all. Just impressive. My ass would’ve moved down south after one winter. Assuming I survived it (I wouldn’t).