>>Governor Walz Takes Childcare Plan to Rochester
(St. Paul, MN) – Governor Tim Walz continues his child care tour of the state today (Wed) in Rochester. The governor is making a series of stops to highlight his plan to make child care more affordable for Minnesota families. The governor will visit an elementary and early learning school. He will be joined by Rochester’s mayor and school superintendent. He’s also stopping at a pharmaceutical company in Rochester. The governor was in Duluth last week sharing his proposal with northern Minnesota parents and school administrators.
>>Smith Pushes Against Bill to Lift Mining Ban near BWCA
(Washington, DC) — The U-S Senate could take up a bill today (Wed) that would lift a 20-year ban on mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. U-S Senator Tina Smith continues to fight to keep a foreign company from mining in the Superior National Forest. The Minnesota Democrat told members, “if the copper-nickel mine is approved, there will only be one winner and it’s not going to be Minnesotans who this land belongs to and the rest of the country. ” Smith claims the real winners will be the Chilean billionaires who will further line their pockets with profits from this mine. Minnesota Republican Congressman Pete Stauber is pushing for the ban on mining to be lifted. He says it would create much needed jobs for northern Minnesota.
>>Minnesota Dept. of Public Safety Reminds Residents About Text-to-911 Option
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is reminding residents they can text 9-1-1 during certain emergencies. Officials say the feature can be used by people who are deaf or hard of hearing, in areas with limited cell service, or in situations where making a call could put someone in danger. To use it, open your messaging app, enter 9-1-1, and include your exact location and the type of emergency. More information is available on the Department of Public Safety website.
>>Minnesota Hospitals Facing a Systemwide Crisis
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Hospital Association is asking the legislature to pass a care pool fund for state hospitals to get them money to stay open. President and C-E-O Rahul Koranne says 75 to 85 percent of healthcare patients, especially in rural Minnesota, are on Medicaid and Medicare. Koranne says, “those two payers are not paying up to the cost of providing care to our local Minnesotans. Commercial insurances are also not paying up to, you know, as they used to in the past.” He says this is why 31 nonprofit hospitals are in financial distress, and 18 of them on the brink of closure. Nineteen labor and delivery units have also closed in the past few years.
>>First Officer at Scene of Annunciation Mass Shooting Receives Meritorious Service Award
(Minneapolis, MN) — The first officer to arrive at the scene of the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School and Church is being honored by the Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police. Minneapolis Police Lieutenant Ryan Kelly received the Meritorious Service Award for his brave leadership, and selfless service on August 27th, 2025. Officials said Kelly, “entered the sanctuary without hesitation, directed terrified children and adults to safety, set up an immediate triage area, and provided life-saving care to 28 gunshot and shrapnel victims using his combat medic and paramedic experience.” Lieutenant Kelly called the kids at Annunciation the real heroes. Students Harper Moyski and Fletcher Merkel died in the shooting.
>>Minneapolis Man Dies Days After Apartment Assault
(Minneapolis, MN) — A Minneapolis man in his 70s is dead days after being assaulted inside a downtown apartment building. Police say officers were called April 5th after reports of an unconscious man in a hallway. The victim was found near the elevators and taken to Hennepin Healthcare. He died Tuesday. Investigators say surveillance video shows the man was struck by another resident following a brief verbal altercation. Police arrested 61-year-old Michael Walker, who lives in the building. Prosecutors say existing first-degree assault charges are expected to be amended to include homicide.
>>Paisley Park Announces Lineup for Prince Celebration 2026
(Chanhassen, MN) — Paisley Park is out with the lineup for Prince Celebration 2026 on June 3rd through 7th. Prince’s former bands the New Power Generation and the Revolution are uniting for the first time at this year’s event. The list of performers also includes Chaka Khan, Morris Day, Sounds of Blackness, and special guests Bootsy Collins, and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. Next Tuesday will mark the tenth anniversary of Prince’s death. Tickets are on sale now for the event.
>>First Place Twins, Abel Shut Out Red Sox at Target Field
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Twins shut out the Boston Red Sox 6-0 Tuesday night at Target Field for another series win. Mick Abel pitched seven scoreless innings and struck out a career-high ten batters for the victory. Byron Buxton hit a pair of homers and Trevor Larnach drove in two runs. Minnesota improved to 11-7 and is a half-game ahead of Cleveland for first place in the American League Central. The Twins and Red Sox play the series finale this afternoon (Wed 12:40pm).
>>Minnesota Wild Top Anaheim Ducks in Regular Season Finale
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Wild finished the regular season with a 3-2 home victory over the Anaheim Ducks. Hunter Haight (hate), Danila Yurov, and Robby Fabbri all scored for Minnesota on Tuesday night in St. Paul. Wild coach John Hynes elected to sit ten regulars in the season finale. Haight’s goal was his first in the N-H-L. Goaltender Jesper Wallstedt made 34 saves for Minnesota. The Wild finish the regular season with a 46-25-and-12 record and 104 points. They open the Stanley Cup Playoffs this weekend in Dallas.
