>>Mass Search Friday for Missing Winona Woman

(Winona, MN) — A mass ground search takes place today (Friday) for 26-year-old Madeline Kingsbury of Winona, who went missing one week ago today in southeastern Minnesota. Law enforcement officials in Winona and Fillmore counties are asking volunteers to meet at the Winona County Goodview Fire Department or the Fillmore County Rushford Peterson School had either 9 a m or 1 o’clock this afternoon. Winona police Chief Tom Williams says,” we know this is an extremely difficult time for Maddie’s family and friends who want nothing more than to have her home.” There is a 50-thousand-dollar reward for information that leads to the return of Kingsbury.

>>Governor Walz Taps AG Ellison to Prosecute Brooklyn Park Woman’s Murder

(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz is assigning Attorney General Keith Ellison to take over the prosecution of the November 2022 murder of Zaria McKeever in Brooklyn Park. Twenty-three-year-old McKeever was fatally shot by two teens after they broke into her apartment. The family of McKeever is upset that the 15- and 17-year-old brothers were given a plea deal by Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarity to serve their sentences in a juvenile prison rather than an adult correctional facility. Ellison requested to take over the case but Hennepin County prosecutors declined before Walz stepped in Thursday.

>>Ex-Sheriff Hutchinson Fired by Metro Transit Police Department

(Minneapolis, MN) — Former Hennepin County Sheriff Dave Hutchinson is no longer a sergeant for the Metro Transit Police Department. Officials say Hutchinson was fired after an investigation determined that he committed “workplace misconduct” for getting into a D-W-I crash in 2021 near Alexandria with a firearm in his S-U-V. He did not run for re-election as sheriff last fall and returned to his former position with the Metro Transit P-D in January. Hutchinson reportedly made more than 100 thousand dollars during a ten-month leave of absence from the sheriff’s office.

>>MDH Launches ‘Hey Norm’ Campaign Against Vaping

(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Health Department is starting a new campaign in the fight to teach teens about the risks of e-cigarettes. The “Hey Norm” campaign aims to help kids have the awkward ‘vape talk’ with friends. MDH spokesman Parker Smith says it encourages teens to call or text “Norm” to get advice on how to start the conversation. He says Norm is a character who’s dorky but well-meaning who cares about youth. Minnesota teens looking to get advice from Norm can or text 1-833-HEY-NORM, or visit his website (heynorm-dot-org).

>>Gopher Men’s Hockey tops Boston U in NCAA Frozen Four Semifinal

(Tampa Bay, FL) — The University of Minnesota men’s hockey team advanced to the N-C-A-A championship game with a 6-2 Frozen Four semifinal victory over Boston University. Luke Mittelstadt and Logan Cooley scored a pair of goals for the Golden Gophers on Thursday night in Tampa. The U of M will face Quinnipiac  on Saturday night in the Frozen Four final. The Bobcats knocked off Michigan 5-2 in the other semifinal.

>>Minnesota Twins Home Opener Friday vs. Houston Astros

(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Twins play their home opener today(Friday 3:10 pm) against the Houston Astros after it was postponed Thursday due to winter weather conditions. Team spokesman Matt Hodson says the Target Field gates at open at 1 p-m and there are a lot of pre-game festivities. He says a 100-year-old World War II veteran will raise the American flag, the national anthem will be sung by one of the cast members of “Hamilton” playing here at the Orpheum Theatre, and there will be a traditional Opening Day flyover from a pair of F-16 Fighting Falcons from the Duluth-based 148th Fighter Wing. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees and Minneapolis natives Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis will throw out the ceremonial first pitches. Hodson says there are limited tickets available for today’s game.

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