Governor Walz Calls for Civility, Calm, and Peace on Statewide Tour
This week, in the wake of last week’s events in Washington D.C., Governor Walz visited American history monuments across Minnesota to call for calm, civility, and peace. At the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul, a Civil War Memorial in Wasioja, and a Vietnam War Memorial in Duluth, Governor Walz encouraged Minnesotans to reflect on the greater context that led to this dark moment in history.
As our nation works to hold those who incited last week’s violence accountable, Governor Walz urged Minnesotans to reflect on how divisive rhetoric undermined our democratic institutions over time and called on Minnesotans to come together to restore democracy for all.
Governor Walz Activates Minnesota National Guard
On Wednesday, Governor Walz activated the Minnesota National Guard to assist state and local law enforcement in public safety efforts in Saint Paul over the coming days. The Governor’s action follows the violent insurrection at the United States Capitol last week and national reports of possible armed protests at state capitol buildings.
“We will always support Minnesotans’ First Amendment rights to peacefully protest, but anyone involved in violent, illegal activity will be held accountable,” said Governor Walz. “We are tracking reports and monitoring the situation closely to enhance our response and change tactics as needed.”
Gov. Walz, Gov. Whitmer, and Gov. Evers: Trump Administration Must Purchase More Vaccines
Today, Governor Walz, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar expressing their frustration with the Trump administration’s botched COVID-19 vaccine distribution and urged the Trump administration to purchase as many doses of the safe and effective vaccine as possible so states can get more shots in arms in the coming weeks.
Lieutenant Governor Flanagan Highlights COVID-19 Vaccines at Community Clinics
Today, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan visited two community clinics in Minneapolis to highlight their efforts to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine, especially to communities of color and Native communities. Minnesota has now administered the vaccine to over 160,000 health care workers and Minnesotans most susceptible to COVID-19.
Governor Walz Directs $67.3 Million to Businesses Impacted by COVID-19 Closures
On Thursday, Governor Walz announced the Minnesota Department of Revenue has issued $67.3 million in COVID-19 Business Relief Payments to 3,891 eligible businesses in Minnesota. The relief payments were part of bipartisan legislation passed by lawmakers and signed into law by Governor Tim Walz in December to help restaurants, bars, gyms, and bowling centers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation also provides relief options to movie theaters and convention centers, as well as direct funding to all of Minnesota’s 87 counties to set up local grant relief programs.
Governor Walz Orders Flags Flown at Half-Staff in Honor of Paramedic Toby Lee Rowan
On Tuesday, Governor Walz directed all flags at state and federal buildings in Minnesota to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Thursday, January 14, 2021, in honor of Paramedic Toby Lee Rowan, who died on January 7, 2021, while in the course of providing life-saving treatment to a member of the community. The State of Minnesota recognizes Paramedic Rowan for his dedicated service to, and sacrifice for, his fellow citizens.
Governor Walz Urges Minnesotans to Download Minnesota’s COVID-19 Exposure Notification App
Now more than ever, we need your help to share the news about COVIDaware MN. As Minnesota opens up, make sure your friends & families understand their COVID-19 exposure risk. COVIDaware MN notifies you if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19, and you can anonymously alert others if you test positive.
Get the COVIDaware MN app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
- The U.S. Needs More Covid Testing, and Minnesota Has Found a Way (Bloomberg Business Weekly)
- Gov. Tim Walz in Duluth: Coming together again will be ‘the hardest thing to do’ (Star Tribune)
- Walz announces COVID-19 relief payments for more than 3,800 businesses (KTTC)
- Walz extends Minnesota’s coronavirus state of emergency (Star Tribune)
- Efforts to build COVID-19 vaccine trust continue in Minnesota’s hardest hit communities (WCCO Radio)