Feds have discussed making a legal request for Giuliani’s electronic communications, say two sources

The federal investigation of the president’s personal lawyer is ongoing, said two sources familiar with the matter, with one saying it is “very active.”

WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors have discussed making a legal request for Rudy Giuliani‘s electronic communications, two sources familiar with the probe tell NBC News, a sign that the investigation into President Donald Trump’s personal attorney remains active and may soon be ramping up.

Prosecutors for the Southern District of New York have been in communication with Justice Department officials in Washington about gaining access to Giuliani’s emails, the two sources said. The Southern District needs Washington’s approval before its prosecutors can ask a judge to sign a search warrant for materials that may be protected by attorney-client privilege, according to department policy. It is not known whether Washington has been granted that approval.

The scope of the current investigation is unclear, but in October 2019, The Wall Street Journal reported that prosecutors from the Southern District were reviewing Giuliani’s bank records as part of an investigation into his dealings in Ukraine. Two of his former associates, Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, were arrested that month on charges of campaign finance fraud and have since been charged with additional crimes related to wire fraud conspiracy. Parnas and Fruman have pleaded not guilty. Continue reading.

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: December 23, 2020

Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan Encourage High School Youth Impacted by COVID-19 to Apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

On Monday, Governor Tim Walz, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, and Department of Employment and Economic Development  Commissioner Steve Grove facilitated a virtual roundtable discussion with high school youth to encourage student workers who have been laid off due to COVID-19 to apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).

High school students who’ve lost their job due to COVID can apply for unemployment at uimn.org.

Governor Walz Updates Minnesotans on COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

On Tuesday, Governor Tim Walz joined the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to provide updates on the COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Minnesota. 

On Monday, December 18, the first COVID-19 vaccine shipments arrived in Minnesota. Governor Walz visited the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center to greet the very first shipment’s arrival. On Tuesday, December 19, the Governor returned to the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center to applaud as the Minneapolis VA administered their first vaccine to nurse Thera Witte. In the past week, almost 3,000 frontline health care workers have been vaccinated for COVID-19.

Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: December 23, 2020”

Trump Campaign Files Supreme Court Appeal Warning Of ‘Disruption’ If ‘Unfairness’ Persists

President Trump is urging the Supreme Court to reverse three election challenges already ruled on by the Pennsylvania’s highest court, according to a motion filed by the Trump re-election campaign. 

Trump is challenging Pennsylvania’s own Supreme Court’s ruling on the verification of absentee ballot signatures, as well as two cases pertaining to canvassing, according to the petition for certification, or “cert petition.”

“Here’s a tell about the bonkers Trump cert petition,” tweeted Rick Hasen, a University of California legal scholar who specializes in election law. “…If they were serious they would have filed emergency motion for injunction. They don’t want another loss before Jan. 6 or 20.” He also drew attention to the ominous wording of the Trump lawyers’ appeal, which warns of the “disruption that may well follow if the uncertainty and unfairness shrouding this election are allowed to persist.” Continue reading.

Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: December 23, 2020


Dear Friends and Neighbors,

As the Christmas holiday quickly approaches, I’m reminded of this quote from Mary Ellen Chase – an important American literary scholar and graduate from the University of Minnesota: “Christmas, children, is not a date. It is a state of mind. ” It is my hope that all of you can spend Christmas filled with good food, laughter and love.

I want to pause and thank you for the honor of a 3rd term representing you in the Minnesota Senate. It is a privilege and I never take it for granted. Your input is invaluable and while we will not always be in full agreement on all issues, we can always agree we have much to be thankful for in being able to call Minnesota home.

As the country slows down for a few days while we celebrate Christmas and ending the Hanukkah celebration, let us each remember our military women and men serving our country. Many on distant shores. We thank our police, nurses, fire fighters and all who are working to keep us safe and well over the holiday. Also, those facing difficulties in day-to-day life. It is a precious time for family, friends and community. 

Continue reading “Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: December 23, 2020”

Melania Trump’s ex-aide files to dismiss DOJ suit on tell-all book

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Stephanie Winston Wolkoff says she complied with the terms of her White House nondisclosure agreement.

First lady Melania Trump’s former confidant and onetime aide filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit against her by the Justice Department after she disclosed embarrassing details about the first lady in a tell-all book.

Stephanie Winston Wolkoff was accused of violating a nondisclosure agreement with the White House by publishing her book, “Melania and Me: The Rise and Fall of My Friendship With the First Lady.” The suit, filed in October, alleges Winston Wolkoff violated a nondisclosure agreement signed when she agreed to volunteer as an aide to Melania Trump and seeks to recover profits from her book sales.

Winston Wolkoff argues she fulfilled the requirements of the confidentiality agreement, which she says ended when the White House terminated it. Continue reading.

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: December 23, 2020

December, 2020

Passing Additional COVID Relief

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The legislature has now adjourned its 7th Special Session for 2020, an unprecedented occasion for our state which normally adjourns for the year in May. Among the bills we passed during this session was a $216 million COVID relief package, to help individuals and businesses most impacted by this pandemic. There is still more to do though, and when the next legislature convenes in 2021 we need to build on this.

Getting Ready for 2021

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As mentioned during a previous newsletter, I have moved offices at the Capitol. My new office is room 2231 in the Minnesota Senate Building, and we are still open (virtually) to address your questions, comments, and concerns!

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I have also moved desks on the Senate Floor, though in our socially distanced environment it is unclear how much I will be using it. Farewell to the desk whose glass shattered in front of me on my very first day in office

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A new session also brings new committee assignments, and they are very similar to the ones I served on last year. I am thrilled to serve you as a member of the following committees:

  • Education Finance and Policy
  • Environment Policy and Legacy Finance
  • Local Government

I hope you continue to stay active in this upcoming legislative session, even though much of it will likely be virtual. So far this month I have met with:

  • The Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce
  • Constituents advocating on behalf of Hammer Residences and people who live there
  • Students at Scenic Heights Elementary School in Minnetonka
  • School superintendents and school boards in Eden Praire and Minnetonka
  • The Jewish Community Relations Council
  • The Eden Prairie city council
  • Friends of the Boundary Waters
  • And many others!
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We are doing our very best to make civic engagement as easy as possible in this virtual environment, and I am always willing to meet with my constituents. Just shoot me an email and my phenomenal legislative assistant, Greg Weiner, will get us set up for a virtual meeting or phone call!

Talking Education with Senate Media

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Last week I had the opportunity to appear on the Senate’s news program, Capitol Report, with moderator Shannon Loehrke. We had a great conversation about my experience in the classroom, the philosophy of teaching, and my new book. You can check out the segment by clicking HERE!

Virtually Connecting for Another Town Hall

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Rep. Pryor, Rep. Kotyza-Witthuhn, and I hosted a virtual town hall meeting last week, and it was a pleasure to see many of your names pop up as viewers and in the comments section. Thank you to those who submitted their questions beforehand to help streamline this process, and thank you to everyone for your patience during this difficult time. You can watch a recording of the town hall by clicking HERE!

Electoral College Members Cast Their Votes

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In town halls and city halls across Minnesota, citizens engaged. Election officials and volunteers put in countless, thankless hours. On November 3rd we the people exercised our sacred duty in record numbers. Last Monday our state’s 10 electors finished the process. Democracy really is something to behold. 

A New Paper in Town

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Many of you know that in April the Eden Prairie News closed its doors. In response, the community has come together to launch the Eden Prairie Local News, and I could not be more grateful. As Thomas Jefferson once said: “If I had to choose between a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.” You can check out an article about this in the Star Tribune by clicking HERE. Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen.

Student Workers Begin Receiving Unemployment Benefits

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We have experienced unprecedented layoffs during this pandemic, in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19. While we have expanded our unemployment insurance program to fit this need, there were still unfortunately people who were unable to access it. A big group of these workers were high school students, who have been working and paying into the system but unable to access benefits. For many families, these students brought home income that was essential to their family’s wellbeing, being used for things like groceries and healthcare. A recent court decision put a fix to this, and the Department of Employment and Economic Development has begun issuing payments. You can view the department’s press release by clicking HERE. Thank you to all of the young people who kept up the pressure on this.

Happy Holidays and Happy Reading

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I know I said this in our last newsletter, but happy holidays again! I know how difficult it is to be socially distanced from our families during this time. Still, this does present an opportunity to grab a book off the shelf that you’ve been meaning to read. What are you planning to read for pleasure this holiday season? I hope whatever you choose to read brings you joy, intrigue, knowledge, or whatever else you are looking for in your book. I wish you all the best and a very happy new year.

Senator: Treasury Dept. email accounts compromised in hack

WASHINGTON — Dozens of email accounts at the Treasury Department were compromised in a massive breach of U.S. government agencies being blamed on Russia, with hackers breaking into systems used by the department’s highest-ranking officials, a senator said Monday after being briefed on the matter.

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., provided new details of the hack following a briefing to Senate Finance Committee staff by the IRS and Treasury Department. 

Wyden said that though there is no indication that taxpayer data was compromised, the hack “appears to be significant,” including through the compromise of dozens of email accounts and access to the Departmental Offices division of the Treasury Department, which the senator said was home to its highest-ranking officials. In addition, the breach appears to involve the theft of encryption keys from U.S. government servers, Wyden said. Continue reading.

Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: December 23, 2020

Dear Neighbors, 

I hope you and yours are staying healthy this holiday season. The way we gather with our loved ones might look quite a bit different this year, but as we continue to sacrifice for the wellbeing of our community, there is light at the end of the tunnel for this pandemic.

Happy Holidays

The first vaccines are being administered in our state and new economic assistance is on its way. You can read about that and more in this latest legislative update. 

The First Round of COVID Vaccines

Before the vaccine’s arrival in our state, Governor Walz announced Minnesota’s COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan. Keeping speed, equity, and safety in mind – the plan was made in partnership with the federal government to ensure we’re making the most of the limited supply we’ll have for now. 

Continue reading “Rep. Michael Nelson (HD40A) Update: December 23, 2020”

Young conservatives mingled maskless at Mar-a-Lago and partied with a money cannon

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Conservative student group Turning Point USA held two large events in Florida this weekend, including one at Mar-a-Lago, President Trump’s private club, allegedly violating local coronavirus restrictions and disregarding authorities’ pleas to avoid such massive gatherings.

Turning Point on Friday night held its annual winter gala at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach. The party was attended by hundreds of students, organizers and GOP notables such as South Dakota Gov. Kristi L. Noem, Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.), White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany and Mike Lindell, otherwise known as the “MyPillow Guy.”

Then on Saturday, thousands of students gathered indoors at the organization’s “Student Action Summit,” where they heard from conservative GOP speakers, including Donald Trump Jr., and cheered loudly as women shot money into the crowd with a cannon. Continue reading.

Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: December 23, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

As the holidays continue to look different for many of us this year, I want to wish you and yours safe celebrations and a healthy new year.

Happy Holidays

This has been a busy month for our state, with the first COVID-19 vaccines being administered, economic assistance on the way for small businesses and working families, and a snowplow that needs your help with a new name! You can read about that and more in today’s update:

Minnesota’s Vaccine Plan

Last week, Minnesota received its first shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine. Since we’ll have a limited supply for the time being, we’ll be following a strict plan that has been put in place in partnership with the federal government to make sure we’re making the most of this vaccine. You can view Minnesota’s COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan here, which was formulated with the goal of making the process as quick, equitable, and safe as possible.

Continue reading “Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: December 23, 2020”