>>Senate Committee Passes Relief Bill for Businesses Impacted by ICE
(St. Paul, MN) – Minnesota businesses could soon see millions of dollars of relief for their financial losses caused by Operation Metro Surge. The Senate Finance Committee passed the economic relief package worth $100 million dollars. The legislation calls for forgivable 0% loans for hard-hit Minnesota businesses in both the Twin Cities and communities across Greater Minnesota. The bill passed by a voice vote and is headed to the Senate floor.
>>Senator Smith Introduced Legislation Protecting Children Harmed by ICE
(Washington, D.C.) — U.S. Senator Tina Smith is co-sponsoring legislation aimed at protecting children impacted by immigration enforcement actions against their parents. The proposed “HELP for Separated Children Act” would establish safeguards for minors caught up in immigration proceedings, following reports that some enforcement tactics have involved using children to pressure parents into compliance. Smith called the reported practices “morally repugnant.” Lawmakers say millions of children in the U.S. have at least one noncitizen parent. The legislation comes amid ongoing debate over federal immigration policies and enforcement practices.
>>Delta Flight From Twin Cities to Orlando, Forced to Land in Milwaukee
(Undated) — A Delta Air Lines flight departing from the Twin Cities was forced to divert shortly after takeoff when a smoky odor was reported on board. The airline says Flight 2309, traveling from Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport to Orlando, was rerouted to Milwaukee Sunday evening. The Airbus A321 left around its scheduled 6:45 p.m. departure and landed in Milwaukee just after 8 p.m. There were 128 passengers on board along with the flight crew. Delta says the aircraft landed without incident, taxied to the gate, and was met by emergency personnel. No word on the cause of the smoky odor.
>>Department of Labor and Industry Recover Over a Million Dollars in Back Wages
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota labor officials have recovered $1.28 million in stolen wages and damages for 26 construction workers following a major wage theft investigation. The Department of Labor and Industry found widespread violations across 19 Twin Cities job sites, including the Viking Lakes project in Eagan, with workers denied overtime and proper pay between 2019 and 2022. Contractors Property Maintenance and Construction and Advantage Construction have agreed to pay back wages and damages, marking the largest wage recovery in DLI history.
>>Experts Say Warmer Weather Brings Boost in Mood and Motivation
(Undated) – Minnesotans may feel a surge of motivation as spring temperatures rise. U of M Behavioral Specialist Tim Moore says certain behaviors and skillsets naturally reemerge after lying dormant through winter, helping people reconnect with meaningful activities and relationships. Moore adds that even spring cleaning can lift mental health, because completing a task and checking it off the list provides a powerful sense of accomplishment. And after months indoors, he says simply stepping outside can lower stress hormones and help people feel more energized and balanced.
