At Issue: Aug. 29 — Walz on the delta variant; Lazzaro in court

With the delta variant on the rise and local school districts preparing to welcome back students, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (DFL) says he likely won’t implement a new statewide mask mandate.

“I think it would be counterproductive,” Walz told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS.

In a wide-ranging interview on “At Issue,” Walz also addressed the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, where Minnesota National Guard members are part of efforts there. The governor ordered flags at half-staff through Monday and says this week was a wake-up call for most Americans.

“I’ve been concerned through four administrations as a member of the Armed Services Committee I spoke out often," Walz said. "I don’t think our plan was clear. I think this idea of the war on terror was nebulous at best. And I think many Minnesotans and many Americans found out this week they had gotten complacent and they forgot we were at war and that we had troops downrange. That bothered me.”

At least 300 Afghan refugees could be coming to Minnesota, a source tells 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS. Those refugees could be coming through Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, which is expected to see at least 10,000 refugees in the coming days.

Meanwhile, former GOP operative Tony Lazzaro made his first appearance in court on child sex trafficking charges and a Ramsey County judge weighed in on whether gun owners are allowed to bring their firearms into the Great Minnesota Get Together.