At Issue: Dec. 26 — Gov. Walz tests positive for COVID; one-on-one with Senate Minority Leader López Franzen

The omicron variant is now the dominant strain of COVID-19 in Minnesota. Gov. Tim Walz, who tested positive for the virus this week, says he suspects it’s from the omicron variant. He says he will remain in quarantine through the end of the year or until he tests negative.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden outlined his administration’s plan to fight the latest surge in COVID-19 cases. In a speech this week, he revealed the government has ordered 500 million at-home COVID tests and promoted an upcoming regulation that would mandate vaccines or weekly tests for companies employing 100 or more people.

Our political analysts weigh in on President Biden calling getting vaccinated an American’s "patriotic duty" and whether his new pitch will appeal to vaccine holdouts.

And this week on "At Issue," we sit down with the leader of the DFL Senate caucus, Sen. Melisa López Franzen. She shares her hopes for the DFL in the New Year and discusses the possibility of Democrats gaining a majority in the Senate.