>>Governor Walz Signs Bill Honoring Melissa Hortman
(St. Paul, MN) – Governor Tim Walz signed three bills into law today. One of the new laws honors late Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman by renaming Minnesota’s Community Solar Garden Program after her. The governor said Hortman was a leader in solar energy and put Minnesota on the path to a clean energy future. The governor also signed bills that will modernize estate planning by allowing electronic signatures, and allowing more health professionals that can serve as medical consultants for community health boards.
>>House Republicans’ School Safety Plan Announced
(St. Paul, MN) – House Republicans have rolled out their latest school safety proposal. It includes more funding to keep students safe and money for mental health support. It does not include the Democrats’ legislation to ban assault rifles. Republican Ron Kresha of Little Falls says they have a “list of successful bills” on the table that need to be closed first, and pass what they agree on. But when asked what he would tell Annunciation parents on why gun legislation is not included, Kresha diverted. He said, “We need to show them we’re willing to listen, put something forward. I think if we close out the session in May and my head were to hit the pillow that night and we didn’t get a school safety package done, that would be a great sense of sadness.” The bill is being discussed today in the Education Finance Committee.
>>Grandparents’ Happy Hour Bill Heading to Governor’s Desk
(St. Paul, MN) – Residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities are one step closer to enjoying happy hour at their facilities. The so-called “Grandparents’ Happy Hour” bill was included in the omnibus liquor bill that passed the Minnesota House. The proposal would allow these facilities to serve alcohol to residents and their guests during activities or events if the facility notifies the state first. The bill passed the House 129-1. Today, the bill passed the Senate by a vote of 56-10. The bill is now headed to the governor’s desk for his signature.
>>Ramsey County Launches Property Tax-Free Revitalization Project
(Ramsey County, MN) – Ramsey County is moving forward with an economic development initiative that will invest $320 million into the county’s future. This plan includes revitalizing downtown St. Paul. County Manager Ling Becker says this will strengthen the county’s economy without increasing the property tax levy. She says they’re using funds already in place, funds that cannot go toward lowering property taxes, alongside strategic bonding backed by the county’s strong fiscal management.” The county is contributing $120 million and is asking the legislature for $120 million more. Representative Maria Isa Perez-Vega and Senator Sandra Pappas are representing the project.
>>Nursing Home Workers Prepare for Strike
(St. Paul, MN) – More than 300 nursing home workers with SEIU Healthcare have voted to call an Unfair Labor Practices strike. This strike would impact five nursing homes across the Twin Cities metro area. The group has filed a ten-day strike notice and will hit the picket lines from April 20-22. The workers are pushing for higher wages, better benefits, and they want worker shortages to be addressed by management. No word on any scheduled talks between the two sides.
>>Golden Valley Names Matt Clark Permanent Police Chief
(Golden Valley, MN) — Matt Clark is Golden Valley’s permanent police chief, effective immediately, after serving as interim for the past six months. Clark stepped in as interim chief last October following the resignation of former chief Virgil Green. Green resigned after a third-party investigation found he failed to follow proper procedures in handling internal misconduct matters. Golden Valley Mayor Roslyn Harmon praised Clark for quickly building trust with officers, city leadership, and residents.
>>Bill to Fund Horse Racing Industry Stopped
(St. Paul, MN) – It appears a proposal that would take revenue from pull tabs to help fund Minnesota’s horse racing industry may not reach the starting gate. The bill would provide $2 million from pulltabs to increase the purse money at race tracks. Justin Revak, President of the Minnesota Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, says we’re losing more money each year, and “thoroughbred racing will come to an end without new streams of purse revenue.” He believes people will stop sending their horses to Canterbury or leave the game altogether. But some lawmakers argued this is not the best plan because it will take money from other charities. Republican Representative Jim Nash from Waconia says legislators need to find a way to make this benefit the state, “without impacting an equally important other pool of money being created.” No action was taken on the bill.
>>140th Anniversary of Minnesota’s Deadliest Tornado
(Sauk Rapids, MN) – On April 14th, 1886, the deadliest tornado in state history struck central Minnesota, killing 72 people. Wendy Wheeler of the Benton County Historical Society says a few days later, St. Paul sent a special train, and it stopped in Minneapolis to add more cars. She says it was “well over 1,000 people” that came up to a train depot in St. Cloud to wait because Brainerd sent a special train down. One of the buildings that survived is now the Benton County Historical Society and Museum, which was used as a makeshift hospital. Officials are renovating the second floor to create a permanent exhibit dedicated to the 1886 tornado.
>>Gooseberry Falls Nominated for 2026 Best State Park by USA Today
(Two Harbors, MN) – Gooseberry Falls along the North Shore is nominated for the 2026 Best State Park by the USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards. The popular state park features a series of five waterfalls that cascade through a rugged gorge of volcanic rock. Gooseberry Falls has 18 miles of trails through the forest, offering hikers opportunities to spot otters, black bears, and more than 225 bird species. There are also eight miles of mountain bike trails that connect to the Superior Hiking Trail. Voting is open through May 11th.
