>>Viral Video Sparks New Accusations of Childcare Fraud in Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) — A viral video from independent journalist Nick Shirley is prompting renewed scrutiny of several Minnesota childcare centers after he documented multiple facilities appearing largely inactive despite receiving state funding. Shirley’s footage shows him visiting a series of centers that, according to his reporting, showed little to no activity during operating hours. The video has circulated widely on social media, fueling public concern and adding to ongoing questions about oversight within the state’s childcare assistance system. During a press briefing, Commissioner Tikki Brown of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families was asked whether the state had halted payments to any of the centers featured in the video. She said there has been no pause in payments so far. Brown says, “As we gain more information from the folks who are out visiting today and gathering additional information, that may change. But currently, there is no pause on those individual centers.”
>>House GOP Leaders Demanding Answers from Governor Walz
(St. Paul, MN) — After a recent YouTube video of an “independent journalist” visiting seemingly inactive childcare centers in Minnesota that receive state payments went viral, House G-O-P leaders are demanding answers from Governor Tim Walz.
House Speaker Lisa Demuth (DAY-muth) places the blame solely on Walz, saying he ignored or downplayed the fraud reported. Demuth outlined multiple steps the G-O-P wants from the Walz Administration, including the release of documents related to fraud data and records related to inspections of sites featured in the video, making all future site inspections unannounced and in-person, and a full review of state-agency money going to non-government organizations (NGOs).
>>Group of Republican Lawmakers Calling on Walz to Resign
(St. Paul, MN) — A group of Minnesota Republican legislators from both the House and Senate have called on Governor Tim Walz to resign following comments from First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson, who suggested that half or more of the $18 billion paid through 14 Medicaid waiver programs during Walz’s administration may have been fraudulent. The lawmakers, Senators Bill Lieske and Nathan Wesenberg, and Representatives Marj Fogelman, Drew Roach, and Mike Wiener argue that this represents a catastrophic failure of oversight. They cite Article 8, Section 6 of the Minnesota Constitution, which lists serious malfeasance or nonfeasance as grounds for recall. While they are not initiating a recall, they say the same standard justifies calling for Walz’s resignation. The Walz administration argues that the legislators are misrepresenting the situation for political purposes and that the state has already taken significant steps to strengthen program integrity. Walz maintains that he will not resign, and that his administration is committed to continuing reforms and cooperating with federal investigators.
>>Anoka-Hennepin Educators Mediation Ends Without Agreement
(Anoka, MN) — Contract talks between Anoka-Hennepin educators and the district ended without a deal today (MON). Union leaders say the district’s latest proposal moved negotiations backward, citing lower health insurance contributions and weaker salary improvements than previous offers. Another mediation session is scheduled for Friday. The Anoka-Hennepin Educators Minnesota (AHEM) union represents more than 3,000 educators in Minnesota’s largest school district. The group says it remains committed to reaching a fair agreement to avoid a strike.
>>South Fargo Man Accused of Assaulting a Vulnerable Adult
(Fergus Falls, MN) — A south Fargo man is accused of assaulting a vulnerable adult at a group home in Fergus Falls. Prosecutors say officers were called to the group home around 3:50 a.m. Saturday, on a report of an assault in progress. Officers spoke with the victim, who said they heard 29-year-old Akeem Smith banging things on the main floor and came out to see if he had called them. Smith continued banging things, and the two began to argue when the victim told him to stop. The victim said they got mad and splashed some water on Smith, who pushed them down, put them in a headlock, kicked them, and stomped their chest. Court documents say the victim showed officers injuries that were consistent with the story. Smith made his first court appearance this morning and has been charged with 4th degree assault of a vulnerable adult, which is a gross misdemeanor.
>>Farmington Man Charged in Fatal Shooting of Partner on Christmas Eve
(Hastings, MN) — A Farmington man is jailed on two million-dollar bail for the alleged shooting death of the mother of his two children on Christmas Eve. Dakota County prosecutors are charging 29-year-old Demarco Jones with the second-degree murder of 26-year-old Tatianna Ehnes-Giles. Deputies were called to a double shooting in Castle Rock Township and found Ehnes-Giles dead of a head injury in a bedroom. Jones had blood on his hands and head and told officers the gun was “in the room.” He remains hospitalized with a gunshot wound and will be transferred to jail when medically cleared.
>>Indigenous Hockey Day at IIHF World Junior Championship, USA vs. Slovakia
(Saint Paul, MN) — Indigenous Hockey Day will be celebrated tonight during the 2026 I-I-H-F World Junior Championship in St. Paul. The event, hosted by Minnesota Sports and Events with U-S-A Hockey and Indigenous leaders, honors Native athletes and their impact on hockey. Fans can explore exhibits from the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame, view a mural by Warroad artist Shawna Grapentine, and attend a screening of The Electric Indian about Ojibwe legend Henry Boucha. In-game recognition includes Player of the Game awards presented by Boucha’s granddaughter, Sky Boucha. Team U-S-A plays Slovakia at 5 p.m. for its third preliminary round game. The team beat Switzerland 2 to 1 on Saturday.
