>>CAIR-MN Announces Legal Actions Against UMN for Firing Muslim Employees Based on Pro-Palestine Posts

(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) and their legal team are announcing administrative legal action against the University of Minnesota for allegedly firing Muslim employees based on pro-Palestine posts. CAIR-MN will also present reports highlighting similar cases and actions found across the state, shedding light on “what appears to be a troubling pattern of harassment and unpleasant workforce environment.” This comes after multiple pro-Palestine encampments, rallies, and subsequent arrests of UMN students and faculty this week.

>>MN Gun Owner Caucus to Hold Annual Gun Rights Event at State Capitol

(St. Paul, MN) – Hundreds of Minnesotans are expected at the State Capitol on Saturday for an annual gun rights event. Rob Doar, Senior Vice President of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus says the Rally to Defend the Second Amendment is “Just a gathering of our members and supporters from all over the state to make their voices heard about what’s going on at the state legislature every year regarding their Second Amendment rights.” Doar says there is a program in the Capitol Rotunda at 11:30 tomorrow and scheduled speakers include Minnesota House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth and Adam Kraut of The Second Amendment Foundation.

>>Scandia Pharmacist Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Obtaining Oxycodone

(Minneapolis, MN) — A pharmacist from Washington County is facing federal prison time for unlawfully taking bottles of oxycodone for her personal use. Prosecutors say 46-year-old Kristie Dezell of Scandia pleaded guilty Thursday to obtaining possession of a controlled substance by misrepresentation. Court records show Dezell knowingly and intentionally took the oxycodone from a Maplewood pharmacy from March 2020 until last June and falsified records to conceal her actions. Her sentencing hearing hasn’t been scheduled.

>>MN Viking Draft Quarterback McCarthy in 1st Round of 2024 NFL Draft

(Undated) – The Vikings may have the quarterback for the future. The team traded up one spot and took Michigan Q-B J-J McCarthy in last night’s N-F-L Draft. Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell likes what he sees in McCarthy, noting he’s a “Competitor and a guy who believes very strongly that the best football is out in front of him and he’s going to work like crazy to make that happen.” The team also moved up to pick Alabama defensive end Dallas Turner at pick 17.

>>Drought Conditions Easing Across Most of Minnesota

(Lincoln, NE) — The drought conditions continue to improve in most of Minnesota. The new U.S. Drought Monitor map shows the percentage of the state that is abnormally dry fell from 87% last week to 74%. The area of moderate drought dropped slightly from 44-42% and is mostly in the northern third of the state. Severe drought in north-central and northwest Minnesota increased from 11.3-12.5%. Rain showers are in the forecast statewide this weekend.

>>Metropolitan Council Votes to Expand Metro Transit Electric Bus Fleet

(Minneapolis, MN) — The Metropolitan Council has voted to expand Metro Transit’s electric bus fleet following the approval of two contracts with bus manufacturer GILLIG. The plan introduces 20 new 40-foot buses to be used on local routes and calls for a phased introduction of buses powered by batteries or other alternatives to diesel fuel. The GILLIG buses are expected to enter service in 2026.