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.

In the Hopper: Judges’ pay; gang data; prison segregation

Kevin Featherly February 20, 2019

Ramsey County District Court Judge Teresa Warner makes a pitch for 5 percent per year salary increase for judges during a Feb. 13 House Judiciary committee hearing. Warner appeared representing the Minnesota District Judges Association. (Staff photo: Kevin Featherly )

The Minnesota Judicial Branch and the Minnesota District Judges Association offered lawmakers competing judge pay-raise requests on Feb. 13.

Carlos Mariani to sentencing panel: ‘Fulfill duty’

Kevin Featherly February 20, 2019

Rep. Carlos Mariani, DFL-St. Paul, urges the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission to "fulfill your duty" and begin working on probation-sentencing guidelines, with or without enabling legislation. (Staff photo: Kevin Featherly)

In rare direct appeal, House chair urges commission to tackle probation reform

Bills tackle probation duration, disparities

Kevin Featherly February 18, 2019

Jennifer Schroeder, who is currently serving a 40-year probation on felony drug conviction, speaks to reporters at the Capitol on Feb. 12. (Staff photo: Kevin Featherly)

Measures at the heart of House committee’s ‘probation week’

Capitol Retort: Workers’ wish, Barr confirmed, Super Bore

Kevin Featherly February 14, 2019

Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell testifies before the House Corrections Subcommittee during a hearing last week in a Stillwater prison gymnasium. (Staff photo: Kevin Featherly )

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

Bill would change ‘severe or pervasive’ standard

Kevin Featherly February 14, 2019

Employment attorney Sheila Engelmeier testifies in favor of House File 10 on Feb. 7. The bill’s author, Rep. Kelly Moller, DFL-Shoreview, sits to her left. (Staff photo: Kevin Featherly)

However, more GOP House members skeptical this year

In the Hopper: DWI omnibus; single-subject amendment; moving on

Kevin Featherly February 13, 2019

Sen. Mark Johnson, R-East Grand Forks (left), is the author of Senate File 753, which closes a loophole in implied consent laws related to recreational vehicle and boats. Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen, R-Alexandria, sits to his left. (Staff photo: Kevin Featherly)

The Senate Judiciary committee on Feb. 6 heard three bills that likely will become part of a larger Senate DWI omnibus package.

Prison guards’ plea: more staffing

Kevin Featherly February 11, 2019

John C. Hillyard, a Stillwater state prison corrections officer, testifies before the House Corrections subcommittee at the prison Wednesday. To his right is Jeff Vars, a corrections officer at the Oak Park Heights prison. Both men also are officers in their union locals. (Staff photo: Kevin Featherly )

House subcommittee hears dramatic testimony

Bar Buzz: Ramsey County vets court celebrates 5 years

Kevin Featherly February 8, 2019

Alexander Kempe, a graduate of the Ramsey County veteran’s treatment court, speaks during the court’s fifth anniversary celebration at St. Paul’s Landmark Center on Wednesday. (Staff photo: Kevin Featherly)

As it marks its fifth anniversary, Ramsey County’s Veterans Treatment Court can make a fine boast, according to 2nd Judicial District Court Chief Judge John ...

State bills pushing Equal Rights Amendments could stall

Kevin Featherly February 7, 2019

Rep. Mary Kunesh-Podein, DFL-New Brighton, on Jan. 24 introduces House File 13, her bill to place a state Equal Rights Amendment into the Minnesota Constitution. (Staff photo: Kevin Featherly)

Two bills pushing women’s Equal Rights Amendments in both the state and U.S. constitutions are on the march in the Minnesota House.

Capitol Retort: Arctic blast, cyber slow walk, course Corrections

Kevin Featherly February 7, 2019

A woman dressed for the cold braves frigid sub-zero temperatures as she crosses a street Jan. 31 in downtown Minneapolis as the arctic blast continued. (AP photo: Jim Mone)

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