Walz to hold news conference, fanning speculation about his reelection campaign

Gov. Tim Walz has scheduled a news conference for later this morning without a predetermined topic. That’s fanning speculation that the two-term Democratic governor may be reassessing his reelection campaign.

Walz has faced unrelenting pressure over proven and alleged fraud in Minnesota-run social service programs. More than a dozen Republicans have already entered the governor’s race. Walz last appeared before reporters on Dec. 23. Aides to the governor didn’t return messages last night.

MPR News will carry Walz’s 11 a.m. news conference live on the radio and online at MPRNews.org.

Walz is condemning conspiracy theories that President Donald Trump is recirculating about the assassination of state representative Melissa Hortman last summer. Trump reposted a video on TruthSocial with false claims about what led to Hortman's death. The post is the latest in Trump's efforts to politically smear Walz.

Correction (Jan. 5, 2025): An earlier version of this podcast misstated the Timberwolves’ score. The audio has been updated.