In the largest prisoner swap since the Cold War, Russia released journalist Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan and others in a multinational deal that set two dozen people free. The trade followed years of secretive back-channel negotiations despite relations between the U.S. and Russia being at their lowest point since the Cold War after President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine in 2022. The largest prisoner swap in post-Soviet history included seven countries and 24 prisoners. President Joe Biden, who had long said freeing Americans wrongfully imprisoned in Russia was a top priority, hailed the “diplomatic feat.” But the news sparked concerns over the imbalances of the deal. In exchange for freeing journalists, dissidents and others convicted on charges seen as politically-motivated, Russia received people the West regards as rightfully charged, including Russian assassin Vadim Krasikov, who was convicted in Germany in 2021 of killing a former Chechen rebel in Berlin apparently on the orders of Moscow’s security services. Concerns have been raised as to whether the exchange gives foreign actors seeking leverage over the U.S. an incentive to take prisoners. 

Just days ahead of an expected announcement on Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, Gov. Tim Walz is still playing coy about his prospects of joining the Democratic ticket. Dana Ferguson reports Walz did not acknowledge being in the final mix during public remarks yesterday after an unrelated press conference. But Walz said it’s been surreal being part of a shortlist of candidates considered. Harris is expected to announce her VP in the coming days. That person will make the rounds with her next week on a five-day tour through several swing states, including Eau Claire, Wisc. next Wednesday. 

Of note, the Harris VP vetting is being conducted by the law firm of former Attorney General Eric Holder. He held that lead Justice Department role under then-President Barack Obama and was often the subject of intense criticism by congressional Republicans. In 2012, the U.S. House voted to hold Holder in contempt of Congress. Seventeen congressional Democrats joined Republicans in that vote. One of them: Minnesota’s Tim Walz, now one of the contenders for the Harris-led ticket. That vote infuriated progressive groups, who said the Democrats in favor of Holder being held in contempt were more worried about self-preservation than standing on principle. Today, Walz is being cheered on by progressives as the candidate they want in the vice presidential slot. Holder, as the vetter in chief, hasn’t said anything publicly about the process.

Sen. Nicole Mitchell’s next Senate ethics hearing has been rescheduled to Sept. 12.  The Woodbury lawmaker was arrested in April at her stepmother's home in Detroit Lakes. Charges allege Mitchell broke into the home amid an ongoing dispute over possessions that belonged to the senator’s late father. A Becker County District Court hearing is scheduled for late August as she seeks dismissal of the case. A Senate Ethics Subcommittee hearing has already been postponed multiple times.

New privacy protections for Minnesota poll workers and election officials went into effect yesterday, building on two years of testimony at the state Legislature. Last year, a new law made it illegal to intimidate election workers, interfere with election administration, disseminate an election official’s personal information and more. As of Aug. 1 , the definition of what constitutes personal information was expanded to include an official's phone number, personal email address, home ownership information and names and pictures of minor children. Also new: swatting, or making phony 911 calls saying there’s a serious crime at a person’s home, was upgraded from a gross misdemeanor to a felony.