>>Supreme Court Chief Justice Hudson Retiring September 30th
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Natalie Hudson is retiring at the end of September. Hudson said in a statement, “To serve in this role has been a profound honor, and I am thankful for the trust that was placed in me.” State law requires judges to retire when they turn 70 years old, and Chief Justice Hudson’s 70th birthday is in January. Governor Tim Walz named Hudson the Supreme Court’s chief justice in October 2023. She is the first person of color to serve in that role. Walz said, “She will be remembered not only for the glass ceilings she shattered but for a lifetime of service to those seeking fairness and justice in our courts.
>>Severe Weather Awareness Week
(Undated) — This is Severe Weather Awareness Week, with daily focuses on weather alerts, severe storms, flooding, tornadoes, and extreme heat. The statewide tornado drills take place on Thursday at 1:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m., when outdoor warning sirens and NOAA Weather Radios will sound to simulate a tornado warning. It’s a great reminder to review your emergency plan and make sure your preparedness kit is ready for severe weather season.
>>Children’s Minnesota Resumes Gender Health Program
(Minneapolis, MN) — Children’s Minnesota is resuming its Gender Health program after pausing services earlier this year. The hospital stopped gender-affirming care, like hormone treatments, for patients under 18 after an executive order from the Trump administration. It threatened to cut Medicaid and Medicare funding for providers who offered the services. In March, a federal judge ruled the administration could not withhold those funds. Children’s Minnesota says providing evidence-based care for transgender and gender-diverse youth aligns with the organization’s mission to support healthier children. Minnesota was among the states that sued the federal government over the executive order.
>>Last Round of Immigrant Rapid Response Grants Being Distributed
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Immigrant Rapid Response Fund is set to release its 11th and final round of grants this week. In total, the fund will have distributed $12 million to 140 organizations supporting communities impacted by Operation Metro Surge. Since January 12th, weekly grantmaking has supported nonprofit organizations across Minnesota. The fund has raised $14 million from more than 65,000 donors spanning all 50 states and 45 countries. About $1.5 million, along with future donations, will be reserved for organizations positioned to help with the long-term recovery of affected communities.
>>Vikings Expanding Girls Flag Football League
(Eagan, MN) — The Minnesota Vikings are expanding the state’s high school girls flag football league to 104 schools this year, more than doubling its reach in just its second season. Youth and High School Football Manager Emily Weinberg says teams play five-on-five rather than the national seven-on-seven format to keep the league accessible to more athletes. The league launched with just four teams in 2024, growing to 51 last year, and now has more than 100 schools statewide. The season kicks off Sunday, April 26th.
>>Rochester Man Charged with Multiple Tax Crimes
(St. Paul, MN) — A Rochester man is facing 10 felony tax charges. The Minnesota Department of Revenue (MDR) says Christian Quinonez did not report business income from two drywall companies during the 2019 and 2020 tax years and failed to file returns from 2021 through 2023. Investigators say banking records, loan applications, gambling activity, and contractor deposits show Quinonez earned enough income to be required to file and pay Minnesota taxes. Authorities allege he owes more than 200,000 dollars in unpaid income tax.
>>St. Paul Man Arrested After High-Speed Pursuit in Grand Forks
(Grand Forks, ND) — A St. Paul man is in custody after leading deputies on a high-speed pursuit this morning (MON). The Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Office says a deputy tried to stop a vehicle on I-29 for swerving between lanes. The driver refused to stop. Police deployed tire deflation devices, but the pursuit continued out of Grand Forks, reaching speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. After stop sticks flattened two tires, deputies used a PIT maneuver to stop the car. The driver, 38-year-old Aaron Wangen, was arrested. He faces multiple charges, including fleeing, reckless endangerment, D-U-I, and refusal to submit to a D-U-I test.
