>>Salmonella Cases linked to Infinite Herbs sold at Trader Joe’s
(Undated) — The state Health and Agriculture departments are warning Minnesotans not to eat Infinite Herbs brand organic basil in 2.5-ounce clamshell-style containers purchased at Trader Joe’s due to a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella. Four Minnesotans between ages 3 and 59 have fallen ill between February 15th and March 27th, with 12 people sickened nationally in seven states. None were hospitalized, and all have been linked to eating the Infinite Herbs products. Trader Joe’s has removed the product from its shelves and anyone who has it in their refrigerator or freezer should throw it out immediately.
>>State officials say March job numbers positive for Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) — Officials say March was a great month all around for Minnesota employers and workers. Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Matt Varilek says the state gained an estimated 11-thousand jobs in the last month on a seasonally adjusted basis, equating to four-tenths of a percent. Varilek says the private sector portion was eight-thousand jobs. The unemployment rate remained steady at 2.7 percent.
>>Housing advocates at MN Capitol, amid news that sales tax increase for housing programs likely dead this session
(St. Paul, MN) — About 200 advocates from across Minnesota are at the State Capitol today (Thurs) lobbying for more affordable housing resources — amid reports that lawmakers likely will *not* put a constitutional amendment before voters this fall to increase the state sales tax three-eighths of a percent to support housing programs. Cristen Incitti, head of Habitat for Humanity Minnesota says, “If that was to happen this year we’d all be ecstatic. We’re unsure about whether or not the ballot initiative will move forward, but we’ll keep moving and working on it, even into the next legislative session.” Republican Senator Eric Lucero from Saint Michael says “housing affordability is a crisis” but “those who can least afford Democrat tax increases are the very people who would pay more with higher sales taxes.” Organizers say housing advocates at the State Capitol today are from Mankato, Fergus Falls, Alexandria, Rochester, Winona, Hibbing, Eveleth and other communities.
>>Former Gov. Carlson warning eight Great Lakes governors about dangers of proposed sulfide mining in northern MN
(Undated) — Former Governor Arne Carlson is taking the somewhat unusual step of writing the governors of the eight states bordering the Great Lakes, warning of what he calls the dangers of proposed sulfide mining near the Lake Superior watershed. Carlson says all eight states — including Minnesota — have united with Canada on agreements to protect the Great Lakes, which contain 90 percent of the surface fresh water in the U-S. He says, “Mercury and arsenic will continue for centuries. Any kinds of contaminants and poisons that enter the water in Lake Superior will inevitably affect all the other Great Lakes.” Carlson, generally considered a moderate Republican, has gained little traction with the Democratic Walz administration, and of the eight Great Lakes states only two (Ohio and Indiana) have Republican governors. Carlson says “mining companies have incredible power over both political parties.”
>>Firearms storage bill awaits vote in MN Senate after heated debate in final committee
(St. Paul, MN) — A controversial bill now awaiting a vote in the Minnesota Senate would make it illegal to store firearms unless they’re unloaded and locked, or in a locked storage unit or gun room. Madison Lake Republican Rich Draheim says the majority of people store their guns properly, but warns this bill has “some pretty broad language that would make good people, honest people criminals.” Vadnais Heights Democrat Heather Gustafson responds her bill does not infringe on Second Amendment rights. “We’re not talking about 14-year-old who’s hunting with their dad…,” she says. “This is about a five-year-old or a six-year-old gaining access to a loaded weapon. That’s when there’s the potential for a felony or possibly incarceration.” Expect heated debate when the bill comes up for a vote in the full Senate.
>>Take Down Tobacco Day at MN Capitol
(St. Paul, MN) — A bill to ban flavored commercial tobacco products in Minnesota has been reintroduced to the Legislature this session, but that’s not the only thing activists are focusing on at today’s (Thurs) Take Down Tobacco Day at the State Capitol. Sylvia Amos with Minnesotans for a Smoke-Free Generation says it’s no accident that 81 percent of Black smokers use menthol cigarettes, which “are easier to smoke and harder to quit.” Amos says, “The tobacco industry has strategically and aggressively targeted my community with menthol cigarettes for decades. The tobacco industry has upped their game by targeting our youth as replacement smokers for those who die each day from tobacco use.” Amos says “Black lives matter, and it’s time for all lives to matter and for the tobacco industry to stop putting profits over lives.”
>>Advocates For Insurance Coverage Of Infertility Treatments Rally in St. Paul
(St. Paul, MN) — Women’s health advocates rallied today (Thurs) at the State Capitol for infertility treatments to be covered by health insurance. State Representative Jeff Brand is sponsor of the proposed legislation. The Democrat from Saint Peter says the cost to the state would be around 18 million dollars but it would not impact insurance premiums.
>>Rep. Emmer Proposes Legislation to Protect Ammunition Supply Chain
(Washington, D.C.) — Sixth District Congressman Tom Emmer has proposed legislation he says will ensure the U-S ammunition manufacturing supply chain remains resilient and efficient. It requires the Secretary of the Army to report to Congress on sourcing raw materials used in ammunition production, weaknesses in the existing supply chain, and strategies for fostering public-private partnerships. Emmer says “a rise in use of ammo and artillery in the Middle East and Eastern Europe caused domestic ammunition prices to skyrocket, limiting Americans’ ability to exercise their Second Amendment rights.”
>>Land O’ Lakes CEO Beth Ford Named To Time’s List Of 100 Influential People
(Arden Hills, MN) — Beth Ford, CEO of Arden Hills-based Land O’ Lakes and the first openly gay female CEO in America, has been named to TIME 100’s list of the most influential people in the world. Ford has led the agribusiness cooperative since 2018. Dr. Rachel Hardeman, founding director of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Antiracism Research for Health Equity is also on the TIME 100 Most Influential list.
>>Minnesota Wild regular season finale at Xcel Energy Center
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Wild play their final regular season game tonight (Thurs 6pm) at home against the Seattle Kraken. The Wild are on a two-game win streak but will miss the N-H-L playoffs for the first time since 2019. Veteran goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury is starting the season finale for Minnesota. The 39-year-old future Hall of Famer signed a one-year contract extension with the Wild on Wednesday. This is Fan Appreciation Night at Xcel Energy Center.
