Caroline Cummings

2 days ago | cbsnews.com | Caroline Cummings

Before she was the Democrats' leader and then Speaker of the Minnesota House, Melissa Hortman chaired the chamber's energy policy committee and authored a law that remained one of her proudest legislative achievements: boosting solar energy in the state. Her obituary, published in the Minnesota Star Tribune, described her work on solar as "trailblazing." Advocates describe her as their champion, whom they directly credit for paving the way for the industry to thrive.

1 week ago | cbsnews.com | Caroline Cummings

Safety at top of mind at Minnesota Capitol after lawmaker shootings Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said Thursday the Legislature should reconsider allowing people to carry firearms inside the State Capitol in wake of the shootings of two lawmakers and their spouses inside their homes over the weekend. State law allows handguns at the Capitol so long as someone has a permit to carry.

1 week ago | cbsnews.com | Caroline Cummings

Among those deeply mourning  Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman's loss are Minnesota House Democrats, whom she steered as their caucus leader for several years. They are remembering her for her peerless leadership, sense of humor, institutional knowledge of the Legislature and deep commitment to doing good work to improve the lives of Minnesotans. "Melissa was an incredible leader who dedicated her life to public service.

1 week ago | cbsnews.com | Caroline Cummings |Stephen Swanson

The Twin Cities home where Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were fatally shot Saturday was broken into overnight Wednesday, police say. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were killed in their home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, at about 3:30 a.m. Saturday in what Gov.

1 week ago | cbsnews.com | Caroline Cummings

The assassinations of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and the attempted killings of Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, have put a spotlight on the safety of elected officials and security in the Minnesota Capitol building. Authorities say the accused killer, Vance Boelter, had a hit list citing 45 state and federal officials and had visited two others Saturday morning before he shot the Hoffmans and murdered the Hortmans. "Boelter planned his attack carefully.