A trial kicks off Monday in Scott County in a case that could impact control of the Minnesota House of Representatives.

The Minnesota Republican Party has a new chair. At a party meeting Saturday, Alex Plechash defeated David Hann, the party’s chair for the past three years.

And last week, President Joe Biden commuted the federal prison sentences of more than 1,500 people — but not everyone is happy with the decision. One person whose sentence was commuted was Jim Carlson. In 2014, Carlson was convicted of selling illegal synthetic drugs from his Duluth head shop. On Facebook over the weekend, St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsey called Biden’s decision “frustrating.” Ramsey wrote that Carlson’s actions “contributed to the spread of addiction (and) increased crime.”

This is a MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.

Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org.

Trial begins in Shakopee over Minn. House race that could swing control of chamber

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