>>Bonding Bill Still Viable this Session
(St. Paul, MN) — The Senate DFL is asking for a bonding bill of $1.35 billion to be included in this session. The leaders made the announcement surrounded by skilled Minnesotan workers. Rob Busch, with the North Central State Regional Council of Carpenters, says the state needs to invest the money now in projects and workers. Besides the project delays, the fear is that tariffs will increase the cost of supplies needed to complete these projects. Republican Senator Karin Housely responded by saying, “Rather than borrowing as much as we can, we should make sure that every dollar borrowed is well-spent on the most important and necessary projects.” Lawmakers failed to pass a bonding bill last year.
>>Laid Off Miners Relief Bill Passes Hurdle in Committee
(St. Paul, MN) – A bill to provide extended unemployment insurance benefits to laid-off miners on the Iron range has been passed by a House Committee. The bill, authored by DFL Representative Pete Johnson of Duluth, would provide impacted workers with an additional 26 weeks of unemployment insurance. Under the state’s current system, laid-off workers can collect up to 26 weeks of unemployment benefits. This bill would extend it to a year. The bill passed the House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Committee and is heading to Ways and Means. Wednesday, a similar bill introduced by House Republicans was tabled. Besides the extra unemployment benefits, that bill included changes to environmental policy. Last month, 600 workers in Hibbing and Virginia received layoff notices.
>>New Bill Would Study Impact of Trump Tariffs
(St. Paul, MN) – DFL Representative Michael Howard of Richfield has introduced a new bill that would study the impact of President Trump’s tariffs on Minnesota. The study would include looking at the affordability of basic goods and the economic challenges the state, consumers, and our economy face. A spokesperson says Minnesota’s economy relies on more than $20 billion in foreign imports every year, which significantly impacts agriculture, manufacturing, and retail. The bill would direct the Commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget to examine tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration and any retaliatory tariffs imposed by other countries.
>>Reaction Surrounding Trump Tariffs
(Undated) — There’s partisan reaction to President Trump’s new global tariffs from Minnesota’s members of Congress. DFL Congresswoman Angie Craig is speaking out against the tariffs on imported goods. The ranking Democrat on the U-S House Ag Committee says in a statement, “Increasing input costs, shutting farmers out of export markets and causing middle-class families to pay more at the grocery store is not a winning strategy.” G-O-P Congressman Tom Emmer is cheering President Trump’s move. The House majority whip says on social media, “For too long, foreign countries have taken advantage of us at the expense of American workers.”
>> Bock And Said Ask To Be Acquitted In Feeding Our Future Case
(Minneapolis, MN) — Both defendants in the most recent Feeding Our Future fraud trial ask a federal judge to acquit them. Aimiee Bock and Salim Said were convicted of conspiring to steal 250 million dollars in taxpayer funds through the Federal Child Nutrition Program. A lawyer for Said filed a motion on Monday to have his client acquitted. Bock’s attorney filed the same request yesterday. Both motions claim the evidence in the case is insufficient to convict the defendants on all charges.
>>Tesla Vandal Avoids Charges After Causing Thousands Of Dollars In Damage In Bloomington
(Bloomington, MN) — A woman accused of vandalizing a Tesla in Bloomington will avoid criminal charges. Police said the vehicle owner decided not to pursue a criminal case against the suspect. Authorities say a woman scraped a parked Tesla with a key on March 26. The total damage to the vehicle was about 32 hundred dollars. Police say the woman has paid for the damage. Teslas have been the target of vandalism and protest around the country. The activity is in response to Tesla company owner Elon Musk’s role in going after deep cuts in the federal government on behalf of President Trump.
>>Flu Deaths and Hospitalizations Continue to Decline in Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) — Influenza activity continues to decrease in Minnesota. The state Department of Health is reporting four flu-related deaths in the last week and 340 this season. Sixty-four patients were hospitalized for flu complications, down from 93 two weeks ago. The 7,388 total hospitalizations are nearly three thousand more than last flu season. No schools had flu outbreaks for a second straight week, while five were reported in long-term care facilities.
>>U of M Looking to Sell Naming Rights for Williams Arena
(Minneapolis, MN) — The University of Minnesota wants to sell corporate naming rights for historic Williams Arena. Gopher Athletics announced they are working with Independent Sports & Entertainment to secure potential naming rights for the nearly 100-year-old basketball arena. The Barn opened in 1928 and was named in honor of long-time Gopher football coach Dr. Henry Williams in 1950. The U of M’s first naming rights sponsor was T-C-F Bank on the new football stadium 20 years ago.
>>Sloth Gives Birth in Front of Guests at Como Zoo
(St. Paul, MN) — The Como Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul is welcoming a baby sloth. Officials say Hoffman’s two-toed sloth named Sago gave birth on Wednesday on the exhibit, and guests were there to witness the special moment. They say mom and baby are doing great, but they don’t know the little one’s gender yet. The birth surprised both staff and visitors, making it an unforgettable experience.
