Politics and Government News

Stay updated with the latest political and government news. MPR News covers local, state and national politics, providing in-depth analysis and updates on policies, elections and governmental actions.

May 2, 2021 7:15 AM

About 40 percent of post offices operate in the red. Could banking services bring in more money?

Many of the nation's post offices don't generate enough revenue to cover their expenses. A group of Democrats in Congress has proposed a possible solution: providing low-cost check cashing and fee-free ATMs at some post offices.

by Brian Naylor

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May 1, 2021 5:35 PM

How 26 people in the census count helped Minnesota beat New York for a House seat

Small census numbers can make a big difference. If Minnesota's 2020 count included 26 fewer residents, it might have lost a seat in Congress — a seat that New York fell short of winning by 89 people.

by Hansi Lo Wang

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May 1, 2021 5:04 PM

Biden wants to go tough on Wall Street. The response? The best rally since FDR

The S&P 500 surged 11 percent in President Joe Biden’s first 100 days in office — the best performance to start a presidential term since Franklin D. Roosevelt started his first term in 1933.

by David Gura

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May 1, 2021 1:32 PM

Somali lawmakers reverse president's extended stay in power

The controversial two-year term extension for Somalia’s president evaporated Saturday after intense public pressure, as the lower house of parliament approved his request to instead support efforts to organize the country’s long-delayed national election.

by The Associated Press

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April 30, 2021 5:38 PM

Need a COVID-19 vaccine? Biden admin launches text line and other search tools

The Biden administration announced a website and text line to help people find COVID-19 vaccines near where they live. It's a new and improved version of VaccineFinder, which launched in February.

by Selena Simmons-Duffin

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April 30, 2021 4:54 PM

U.S. will impose new ban on travel from India as coronavirus rages

The travel ban is being imposed due to "extraordinarily high COVID-19 caseloads and multiple variants circulating" in India, the White House says.

by Bill Chappell

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April 30, 2021 12:30 PM

'I'm still exhaling': Swing-state voters on Biden's 100 days

President Joe Biden has been in office for 100 days, and polls show most Americans are giving him positive marks so far. But in one pocket of swing-state Wisconsin, where a suburban surge helped elect the Democrat, that support often falls short of adulation. Biden gets credit for bringing stability and not being Donald Trump.

by The Associated Press

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April 30, 2021 10:38 AM

Biden responds to Sen. Tim Scott: 'I don't think the American people are racist'

In an interview with NBC, the president addressed a critique by the South Carolina senator by saying the legacy of slavery and Jim Crow continues to leave Black Americans "behind the eight ball."

by Brian Naylor

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April 30, 2021 9:51 AM

Explainer: What remains as U.S. ends Afghan 'forever war'

Starting Saturday, the last remaining 2,500 to 3,500 American troops will begin leaving, to be fully out by Sept. 11 at the latest. Another debate will likely go on far longer: Was it worth it?

by The Associated Press

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April 30, 2021 6:28 AM

'We did it!': Minnesota exults at Census win at NY's expense

In Minnesota — a state that's long seen itself as above average — residents voluntarily returned their census forms at the highest rate in the nation. Their dedication likely saved the day — Minnesota will retain its eight House seats — and many took to social media to exult. As one wrote: "Never try and defeat Minnesota in a paperwork contest."

by Mohamed Ibrahim, Associated Press and Steve Karnowski, Associated Press

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