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: Nixing nondisclosures; killer kids; gun bills

Kevin Featherly March 7, 2018

Sen. Carla Nelson, R-Rochester, has authored a bill that, among other things, would prohibit nondisclosure agreements between abusive officials and their victims. (Staff photo: Kevin Featherly)

A bill moving through the Senate would prohibit nondisclosure agreements between abusive officials and their victims.

Proposal aims to broaden anti-groping law

Kevin Featherly March 5, 2018

Senator wants exception for buttocks touching deleted from criminal code

Harassment specter stalls bill on attorney fees

Kevin Featherly March 5, 2018

Rep. Jim Knoblach and Rep. Debra Hilstrom.

Critics: Law would push clients to seek big paydays, not injunctive relief

Floor contortions leave union contracts in limbo

Kevin Featherly March 1, 2018

Rep. Debra Hilstrom, DFL-Brooklyn Center, shown during a January 2017 floor session, introduced a bill to approve pre-negotiated salary increases for two of Minnesota’s largest state-worker unions. (File photo: Kevin Featherly)

DFLers force floor vote on worker pay—sort of—before taking up vetoed budget

Capitol Retort: 3M case, mandatory minimums, Capitol intrigue

Kevin Featherly February 28, 2018

Two groups of elementary and high school students display signs just before the start of a “Protect Minnesota” rally for “sensible gun laws” in the Capitol Rotunda on Feb. 22. The older kids hold signs bearing the names of U.S. schools where shootings have taken place. (Staff photo: Kevin Featherly)

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

In the Hopper: Amendment in trouble, gun legislation, biz bills

Kevin Featherly February 28, 2018

Sen. Ron Latz, DFL-St. Louis Park (center, at the microphone), addresses a boisterous Feb. 22 press conference where several bills aimed at curbing gun violence — including his own measure for “universal background checks” — were unveiled. (Staff photo: Kevin Featherly)

Sen. John Marty remains optimistic about his bill to permit governors, in a pinch, to pick their own lieutenant governors

Nick Zerwas needs no immediate surgery

Kevin Featherly February 23, 2018

Caregivers to re-evaluate situation in about 18 months

Corrections seeks $63M for prison projects

Kevin Featherly February 22, 2018

Among the Department of Corrections’ bonding requests presented to senators Wednesday was $16.2 million for plumbing and ventilation improvements at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in St. Cloud, above. (AP photo: St. Cloud Times)

Request includes money to add 105 beds at Lino Lakes, Willow River

Bar Buzz: Mahnomen County Drug Court gets Judicial Council nod

Kevin Featherly February 22, 2018

The Minnesota Judicial Council has granted final approval to a White Earth Nation-Mahnomen County drug court, the Judicial Branch announced Thursday. Officially named the Healing ...

Why are there so few mandatory minimums for firearms?

Kevin Featherly February 21, 2018

Supporters of Moms Demand Action, a group advocating stricter gun laws, rally outside the Minnesota House Chamber on Tuesday in St. Paul. They called on lawmakers to expand background checks and resist efforts to ease the state's existing gun laws after the school shooting in Florida last week that killed 17 students and teachers. (AP photo: Jim Mone)

Corrections Commissioner Tom Roy worries sentencing may be lax