>>Running Aces horse track suing Grand Casino, Treasure Island over card games
(Columbus, MN) — One of Minnesota’s two horse-racing tracks, Running Aces, has filed a federal racketeering lawsuit alleging Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Hinckley, and Treasure Island in Red Wing have offered card games not authorized by the 1988 Compact between the state and Native American tribes. Running Aces C-E-O Taro Ito in a written statement says, “All that we have ever sought was to be treated fairly… and operate without fear of being eliminated.” The lawsuit comes as the push for sports betting legislation ratchets up at the State Capitol with just over four weeks remaining in the session. Further complicating the dynamic: The Minnesota Racing Commission recently voted to allow at Running Aces and Canterbury Park what are called “historical horse racing” (HHR) machines — which opponents say are basically slot machines and violate state law. They have bills moving in both the House and Senate to override the Racing Commission’s decision. Officials at Grand Casino and Treasure Island haven’t commented on Running Aces’ lawsuit.
>>Republicans renew call for chief prosecutor in Londregan case to resign amid new sworn statements from fellow troopers
(St. Paul, MN) — House Republican Minority Leader Lisa Demuth is demanding Hennepin County chief prosecutor Mary Moriarty resign and Governor Tim Walz reassign the case against State Trooper Ryan Londregan, who’s accused of second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Ricky Cobb the Second during a traffic stop on I-94 in north Minneapolis. It’s prompted by two state troopers’ sworn declarations that Londregan acted lawfully to save his partners and followed State Patrol policy. Demuth says County Attorney Moriarty has pressed ahead with prosecution of the trooper despite testimony from witnesses as well as experts hand-picked by her office. Cobb’s family announces tomorrow morning (Wed) that they’re suing Trooper Londregan. Their attorneys have urged the governor to put “justice before politics” and let Moriarty “bring this prosecution without any further interference.”
>>Petition Submitted to Legalize Marijuana in North Dakota
(Bismarck, ND) — Neighboring North Dakota could be the next state to legalize recreational marijuana. A petition was submitted to the Secretary of State’s Office today (Tues) to get a measure allowing adult home use of cannabis on the November ballot. Supporters must now gather 16 thousand signatures by July 8th. A similar measure failed in North Dakota in 2022. Minnesota became the 23rd to state to legalize recreational cannabis last year.
>>One Dead, Two Injured in Cass County House fire
(Staples, MN) — Authorities in northern Minnesota’s Cass County say one person is dead after a house fire late this morning (Tues) near Staples. The sheriff’s office says the house was engulfed in flames when first responders arrived, and a male victim was later located inside. Deputies say two people were taken to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. A nearby structure was also damaged. No word yet on a cause.
>>MN U.S. Olympian Returning to Duluth for Grandma’s Marathon
(Duluth, MN) — Minnesota native, U.S. Olympian, and two-time Grandma’s Marathon champ Dakota Lindwurm will return to Duluth this June to compete once more. Lindwurm will be part of the field in this year’s Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon as part of her ongoing preparations for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. Lindwurm qualified for Paris at the U-S Olympic Trials in February, finishing third and becoming only the third former Grandma’s Marathon women’s champion to qualify for the Olympic Games, following Lorraine Moller and Janis Klecker.
>>Uber/Lyft driver insurance included in bill moving forward in MN Senate
(St. Paul, MN) — Insurance for Uber and Lyft drivers would cover personal injuries beyond those caused by crashes — say if a driver was attacked by a passenger — under sections of a bill that cleared a state Senate committee today. Eid Ali, head of the Minnesota Uber Lyft Driver Association says, “There have been instance[s] where drivers who are fathers, mothers, sons and daughters have not returned home to their families due to injuries sustained on the job.” Ali says others have no longer been able to work and provide for their loved ones. Uber lobbyist Joel Carlson says insurance provisions were in that ridesharing company’s recommendations, but other provisions in the bill “are not consensus items… including the pay rate that is in this bill that is way outside of the TNC [transportation network company] report that the [state] Department of Labor put together.” Lawmakers are trying to hammer out an agreement with just over four weeks remaining in the legislative session.
>Sen. Smith to Address Rural EMS Crisis in Statewide MN Tour
(Undated) — Senator Tina Smith will be touring the state to stress what she calls the “urgent need” for congressional action to fix the rural emergency medical services (EMS) crisis. Smith says several states have passed laws to make EMS an essential service, but because Minnesota isn’t one of them, state government isn’t required to fund them. Smith says a bipartisan task force will continue to push the Minnesota Legislature to work towards state solutions while she pushes for more federal support for first responders.
>>St. Paul Saints hosting Summer Minnesota Craft Beer Festival in August
(St. Paul, MN) — Tickets are on sale today (Tues) for the first-ever Summer Minnesota Craft Beer Festival at the St. Paul Saints’ ballpark. Team officials say local vendors will be offering more than 400 craft beverages from 100 breweries and distilleries at C-H-S Field on Saturday August 17th. General admission tickets are 49 dollars and include unlimited pours of craft beers, seltzers, and spirits. There’s also live music, local artists, and games.
>>Shakopee Police Department Coordinator Honored by Congress for Outstanding Victim Advocacy Week
(Shakopee, MN) — Shakopee Police Department Victim and Community Services Coordinator Barb Hedstrom was honored by Congress today (TUES) with the Ed Stout Memorial Award for Outstanding Victim Advocacy. Representative Angie Craig, who nominated Hedstrom for the award, says Hedstrom played a key role in establishing the Recovery Assistance Program making treatment and recovery programs accessible to individuals with substance use disorders. Craig also credits Hedstrom with the launch of the Law Enforcement Association of Victim Essential Services (LEAVES), a statewide professional association of law enforcement-based victim service providers.
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