>>First Case of Bird Flu Confirmed this Spring
(St. Paul, MN) — Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has made its first appearance in Minnesota this spring. State officials say the virus was confirmed last week in a flock of nearly 63,000 commercial turkey meat birds. The flock was placed under quarantine on Thursday, April 16th. This marks the first case in Minnesota since two flocks were affected in Meeker County back on January 16th. With spring migration now underway, the risk of avian influenza increases as wild birds return. Minnesota Turkey Growers Association Executive Director Ashley Kohls says producers across the state have been on heightened alert. Last year 23 commercial poultry flocks in Minnesota tested positive for HPAI.
>>Two Minnesotans Die in Pierce County, Wisconsin Motorcycle Crash
(Oak Grove, WI) — Two motorcyclists from Minnesota are dead following a crash Wednesday night near the Town of Oak Grove in west central Wisconsin. The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office reports a motorcycle driven by 47-year-old Tamitha Thein of Maplewood collided with another cycle operated by 26-year-old Evan Jorgenson of Cottage Grove on State Highway 35. Deputies say Thein died at Regions Hospital in St. Paul. Jorgenson died of his injuries in the hospital Thursday.
>>Mankato Woman Charged in Fatal Crash
(Mankato, MN) — A 19-year-old Mankato woman is accused of driving more than 85 miles per hour when she rear-ended a stopped van in a construction zone, killing a couple last July. Alyssa Odens is charged with two counts each of criminal vehicular homicide and criminal vehicular operation. Investigators say this is the third speeding-related incident involving Odens in less than a year. Charles and LaDonna Mikkelson, who were married more than 50 years, died in the crash. Odens told authorities she was not distracted but could not explain what caused the collision.
>>Minnesota’s Unemployment Edges Up
(Undated) — Minnesota’s unemployment rate has recently edged above the national average, marking a notable shift from its long-standing position as a low-unemployment state. Minnesota’s unemployment rate sits at 4.5%, slightly higher than the U.S. rate of 4.3%. Economists point to slower job growth and a shrinking labor force as key factors behind the change. Some officials have also linked workforce disruptions to enforcement efforts such as Operation Metro Surge, which may be affecting labor availability in the hospitality and construction sectors. While the gap is small, the reversal is significant: Minnesota has typically outperformed the national average for decades. Analysts will be watching closely to see whether this is a temporary fluctuation or a sign of a longer-term shift in the state’s labor market.
>>Port of Duluth-Superior Getting Face-Lift
(Duluth, MN) — The Port of Duluth-Superior is set for a major upgrade after securing a $27 million federal grant to redevelop a long-standing industrial site on the waterfront. The project will focus on removing obsolete grain elevators and preparing the area for modern shipping needs. Plans include building about 1,000 linear feet of new dock wall, adding roughly 7.5 acres of laydown space for cargo, and installing updated utilities to support future operations. The site dates back to the 1880s, when early flour mills and grain elevators helped establish Duluth as a key shipping hub on the Great Lakes. Officials say the investment will strengthen the region’s freight capacity and breathe new life into a historic part of the working waterfront, positioning the port for continued economic growth.
>>Senate Bill Forcing Fraudsters to Pay Taxes Advances
(St. Paul, MN) – The Senate Taxes Committee advanced a bill that would force fraud criminals to pay back every dollar they steal from Minnesota taxpayers. The “Take It Back Act” would create a 100% tax on money obtained through fraud against public programs. The tax would be in addition to any criminal penalties or restitution a court orders the criminal to pay. Money collected will go into a dedicated account that must be used for income tax relief for Minnesota taxpayers.
