>>Minnesota Senate Passes Bill Increasing Penalties for Impersonating Law Enforcement
(St. Paul, MN) — A bill passed by the Minnesota Senate Thursday increases the penalties for impersonating law enforcement. The co-author , Representative Kristin Bahner of Maple Grove, was targeted on June 14th, but she was on vacation with her family. Bahner told members, “The bill that we have today won’t bring Mark and Melissa back. And it won’t undo the damage that is forever in our hearts. But what it will do is make it very crystal clear that the men and women who proudly serve us in blue to never ever be taken advantage of in this way.” The man charged in the killings of the Hortmans and shootings of Senator John Hoffman and his wife was dressed as a police officer. The law would upgrade charges to a gross misdemeanor or a felony in some cases and increase prison sentences.
>>Man Accused of Spraying Omar With Apple Cider Vinegar Changes Plea
(Minneapolis, MN) — The man accused of attacking Congresswoman Ilhan Omar with and unknown substance at a north Minneapolis town hall is expected to plead guilty. Federal court records show 55-year-old Anthony Kazmierczak has reached a plea agreement with prosecutors, with a change-of-plea hearing set for May. Video of the January incident shows Kazmierczak spraying a liquid from a syringe toward Omar before rushing her. He was quickly subdued by security. Testing later confirmed that the substance was a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water.
>>Senate Approves Bill Establishing Officer/Firefighter Gary L. Schroeder Memorial Highway
(St. Paul, MN) — A bill approved by the Minnesota Senate Thursday renames part of Highway 58 in southeastern Minnesota in honor of a fallen first responder from Zumbrota. Senator Steve Drazkowski of Mazeppa says the Officer/Firefighter Gary L. Schroeder Memorial Highway would serve as a lasting tribute to his dedication, sacrifice, and service to the people of Minnesota. He says it would also recognize the profound impact he had on our community and ensure that his legacy continues to be honored by future generations. Schroeder served as a police officer in Zumbrota for 18 years and a firefighter for nine. He died in April of 2023.
>>Kratom Bill Heading to Governor’s Desk
(St. Paul, MN) — A bill establishing age restrictions for kratom possession is heading to the governor’s desk for his signature. Following the House’s lead earlier in the week, the Senate passed the bill 56-10, raising the age from 18 to 21-years-old. Kratom is a natural product derived from a tree native to southeast Asia. People use it as a self-remedy for anxiety, pain management, and opioid withdrawal, but it is not recommended by the F-D-A. Health officials say the synthetic version being sold in the U.S. had led to liver and kidney issues, seizures and addiction.
>>GOP Lawmakers Introduce Legislation to Attract Major Sporting Events
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota lawmakers are considering a new plan to help the state compete for major sporting events. A Republican-authored bill would create a permanent, self-sustaining fund to guarantee upfront money when bidding on large-scale events. Winona Senator Jeremy Miller says Minnesota has hosted some major competitions but has lost others because it couldn’t promise funding early in the process. John Klinkenberg with Minnesota Sports and Events says the state is one of the few without a consistent tool to attract big events – and that Minnesota has already missed out on more than 430 million dollars in economic impact. The proposal was laid over for possible inclusion in a larger tax bill.
>>Community Impact of Minnesota Hospitals Tops $ 6.5 Billion
(St. Paul, MN) — Community benefit isn’t just a requirement for Minnesota’s nonprofit hospitals; it’s their mission. According to a new Community Impact Report from the Minnesota Hospital Association, more than 120 nonprofit hospitals and health systems provided $6.5 billion in community benefit in fiscal year 2024, a 5% increase from the year before. That includes nearly $1 billion in uncompensated care, along with billions more in underpaid Medicaid and Medicare services. Hospital leaders warn upcoming Medicaid cuts could threaten these community investments.
>>Minnesotans Can Safely Dispose of Unused Medications Saturday
(Undated) — Minnesotans are encouraged to clear out their medicine cabinets during Prescription Drug Take Back Day, happening tomorrow(Sat) from 1 to 2 p.m. at drop-off locations statewide. The event allows people to safely dispose of unused or expired medications, from opioids to old antibiotics. D-E-A Assistant Special Agent in Charge Rafael Mattei said, “We will dispose of them, we’ll take them from you, no questions asked.” To find a drop-off location near you, visit deatakeback.com.
>>Minnesota Housing Approves 15 Small-City Housing Grants
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Housing is awarding more than $1.1 million in grants to 15 small cities across Greater Minnesota to expand and preserve local housing. Each community will receive $75,000 through the state’s Small Cities Housing Aid Grant Program. The funding will support affordable housing development, nonprofit housing providers, and emergency shelter operations. Officials say the program helps cities with under 10,000 residents address urgent housing needs in their communities.
The 2026 selected communities are:
– Balaton
– Benson
– Brownsville
– Currie
– Deer River
– Floodwood
– Fosston
– Hendricks
– Le Sueur
– New York Mills
– Redwood Falls
– Stewart
– Wells
>>Chicago Man Gets 14.5 Years for Trafficking Meth and Fentanyl in Duluth
(St. Paul, MN) — A Chicago man is sentenced to 14-and-a-half years in federal prison for transporting mass amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine to Duluth, Minnesota. The U-S Attorney’s Office says 34-year-old Ezell Lucas managed a large-scale drug distribution operation from December 2021 to February 2024 targeting customers in the Twin Ports. Law enforcement seized more than 890 grams of fentanyl from the Lucas D-T-O. He is the last of seven defendants in the case to be sentenced.
>>Timberwolves Roll Over Nuggets in Game Three of NBA Playoffs
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Denver Nuggets 113-96 last night at Target Center to take a 2-1 lead in the playoff series. The Wolves held the Nuggets to 11 points in the first quarter and led by as many as 27 points in the third. Ayo Dosunmu (EYE’-oh doh-SOO’-moo) had a team-high 25 points for Minnesota, Jaden McDaniels added 20 points and ten rebounds, Anthony Edwards scored 17, and Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo both finished 15 points. Game Four of the best-of-seven series is Saturday night in downtown Minneapolis.
>>Minnesota Vikings Draft Florida DT Banks at #18 Overall
(Eagan, MN) — The Minnesota Vikings’ first-round draft pick is Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks. The Purple selected 23-year-old Banks at number 18 overall last night in Pittsburgh. Banks only played three games for the Gators last season due to a foot injury. The six-foot-six, 327-pound tackle is expected to help fill a hole along Minnesota’s defensive line. Rounds two and three of the 2026 N-F-L are tonight.
