Author Archives: Kevin Featherly

Kevin Featherly, who joined BridgeTower Media in mid-2016, is a journalist and former freelance writer who has covered politics, law, business, technology and popular culture for publications and websites in the Twin Cities and nationally since the mid-1990s.

Board chief: Michelle MacDonald CLE expense looks legit

Kevin Featherly October 17, 2018 Leave a comment

A 2014 continuing legal education course — listed among Supreme Court candidate Michelle MacDonald’s 12 “unpaid obligations” on her Sept. 24 campaign financial disclosure report — appears to be a legitimate campaign expense

Capitol Retort: Protest dismissal; union win; bye-bye Butler?

Kevin Featherly October 17, 2018 Leave a comment

Clearwater County District Judge Robert Tiffany abruptly dismissed charges against three climate change activists during their trial Oct. 9, saying prosecutors failed to prove that the protesters’ attempt to shut down two Enbridge Energy oil pipelines caused any damage. In this photo, defendant Emily Johnston, center, speaks outside Clearwater County courthouse in Bagley, Minnesota, with co-defendant Ben Joldersma, left, and his daughter, and former NASA scientist James Hansen. (Minnesota Public Radio via AP)

Our review of issues in state and national news, with a rotating cast of political people in the know.

Tagged with: Capitol Retort

8 judicial hopefuls have raised $10,000

Kevin Featherly October 15, 2018 Leave a comment

‘Dark money’ mostly absent from state’s campaigns

Board to query Michelle MacDonald’s listing of CLEs as campaign debt

Kevin Featherly October 11, 2018 Leave a comment

Michelle MacDonald has nearly $9,000 in unpaid campaign expenses, campaign finance filings show

DOJ awards $550,000 to St. Louis County veterans court

Kevin Featherly October 11, 2018 Leave a comment

Awarded in September, the grant will fund much of the court’s operations until 2022

Capitol Retort: Kavanaugh confirmed; police review; skol Vikings

Kevin Featherly October 10, 2018 Leave a comment

Chief Justice John Roberts, right, administers the constitutional oath to Judge Brett Kavanaugh in the Justices’ Conference Room of the Supreme Court Building in Washington. Ashley Kavanaugh holds the Bible. In the foreground are their daughters, Margaret, left, and Liza. (Cutline: Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States)

Our review of issues in state and national news, with a rotating cast of political people in the know.

Tagged with: Capitol Retort

Court of Appeals nixes city’s union-busting move

Kevin Featherly October 10, 2018 Leave a comment

Brainerd violated state’s Public Employees Labor Relations Act, panel rules

DFL forwards Ellison review to law enforcement

Kevin Featherly October 3, 2018 1 Comment

The Associated Press reported Monday that the investigation failed to substantiate Karen Monahan’s abuse claims because she “refused to provide video she said she had of the incident.”

Capitol Retort: FBI probe, new judges, moon dust

Kevin Featherly October 3, 2018 Leave a comment

State Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie Gildea plans to ask the Legislature for two new judgeships. (File photo)

Our review of issues in state and national news, with a rotating cast of political people in the know.

Tagged with: Capitol Retort

Rise in caseloads could produce 2 new judges

Kevin Featherly October 1, 2018 Leave a comment

A rise in major criminal case filings and a huge backlog of cases involving children needing protection has the state’s Judicial Branch gearing up to pitch two new judgeships, state Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie Gildea said Wednesday. “Those two ...