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Hegseth could lead troops who'd face getting fired for actions he's done in the past; Strong Santa Ana winds return for SoCal; Southeast Asian refugees in MA fear deportation, seek Biden pardon; RSV rise puts Indiana hospitals on alert; CT lawmakers urged to focus on LGBTQ+ legislation.

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The Special Counsel's report says Donald Trump would have been convicted for election interference. Defense Secretary pick Pete Hegseth faces harsh questioning from Senate Democrats, and law enforcement will be increased for next week's inauguration.

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"Drill, baby, drill" is a tough sell for oil and gas companies in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, rising sea levels create struggles for Washington's coastal communities, and more folks than ever are taking advantage of America's great outdoors.

Assessing Walz pick in MN for tone, logistics

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Wednesday, August 7, 2024   

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris has introduced Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate.

The timing comes amid conversations about whether voters have a bigger appetite for less divisive politics. Analysts said policies deemed progressive Walz has signed into law, such as a 100% carbon-free electricity standard, are things likely to be debated in the campaign. He has also emphasized bolstering reproductive rights.

David Schultz, professor of political science at Hamline University, said those can get people motivated to vote, whether you are for or against such moves. Some voters say Walz also represents a sense of normalcy, and Schultz pointed out there are signs the electorate wants common ground.

"If you actually poll people on a variety of issues, whether it's gun safety, immigration, helping the poor and so forth, there's actually much broader consensus in America on a whole range of issues," Schultz observed.

Walz also signed a law making school lunches free for all students, regardless of income, a move that had bipartisan support. Like other political scientists, Schultz added at the end of the day, the vice presidential pick usually does not move the needle much in determining the race for the White House, with only a few high-profile examples in recent decades.

Steve Simon, Secretary of State, when asked what it means for leadership in Minnesota, said nothing changes for the time being. Walz is still allowed to be governor while campaigning for vice president. Minnesota has seen politicians such as Walter Mondale and Hubert Humphrey go on to serve as vice president but the logistics were a little different from what might happen with Walz.

"The other two Minnesotans who served as vice president did so as sitting United States senators, which didn't kick off any sort of state constitutional process like this at all," Simon recounted. "There were other succession issues but not succession issues like this."

If the Harris/Walz ticket wins this fall, Walz would have between the election and Inauguration Day to resign as governor. Lieutenant Gov. Peggy Flanagan would then become governor, making her the first Native American woman to hold such a seat. The Minnesota Senate president, Democrat Bobby Joe Champion, would then be elevated to the state's second-in-command post. That would create the need for a special election to fill his legislative seat.

Support for this reporting was provided by The Carnegie Corporation of New York.


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