>>Man Killed in Shop Explosion and Fire in Cottonwood County
(Westbrook, MN) – Authorities in southwest Minnesota are identifying the man killed in a weekend fire and explosion near Westbrook. The Cottonwood County Sheriff’s Office says a woman in the home reported hearing an explosion in their shop Saturday night. She said a man ran into the shop but didn’t come back out. The shop was engulfed in flames, and firefighters later recovered the body of 36-year-old Lance Larson. No word yet on what caused the explosion.
>>Minneapolis Leaders Address Trump Admin. Targeting Somalians
(Minneapolis, MN) – Minneapolis leaders spoke out today after President Donald Trump’s claims that he will send 100 federal officers to the Twin Cities to specifically target Somali immigrants. With over 80,000 Somalians living in Minnesota, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey says the feds will run into all sorts of constitutional impossibility, “Due process will be violated, [and] mistakes will be made.” Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara says the fear of people to call the police in a time of need is something that harms everyone. He says, “If people can prey on certain people in our community, to victimize them, to rob them, because they think those folks are less likely to call the police, that makes everyone in the city less safe.” In a cabinet meeting today, the president escalated his rhetoric by saying Somalians “contribute nothing” and he “doesn’t want them in our country.”
>>Gov. Walz Responds to Fraud and Terrorism Claims
(St. Paul, MN) – The U.S. Treasury Secretary announced an investigation into Minnesota fraud claims and whether the money was funneled to a terrorist group overseas. Governor Tim Walz said today, “I don’t know what criminals do with their money. They buy drugs, buy houses, buy cars. These are criminals. This is the same thing if somebody broke into your house and stole your stuff, and us saying why didn’t have six locks on that door. Well, maybe you should have. And we’re saying, yeah, maybe we should have more locks. You’re absolutely right. We should do more on that.” State Republicans are applauding the investigation, saying they called for it with a formal request to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
>>Feds Threaten to Pull Highway Funds Over CDL Audit
(St. Paul, MN) – Federal officials say Minnesota is illegally issuing commercial driver’s licenses and could lose more than $30 million in highway funding. An audit by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found one-third of licenses for non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents were issued illegally. The U.S. Department of Transportation is demanding that Minnesota pause issuing those licenses, revoke noncompliant ones, and conduct an internal audit within 30 days. Governor Tim Walz disputes the findings, saying the state has followed the law for decades, and warns withholding funds would jeopardize road safety. Republican Senator Carl Bahr applauded the audit, saying those who require a CDL should “be held to the highest standards of testing and verification.”
>>Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Respect Act Passes Congress
(Washington, D.C.) – A new bill passed by Congress improves and reauthorizes programs and funding to support individuals and families impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar was one of the authors of the bill signed into law. Klobuchar said, “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders affect at least one in 20 people in the U.S., and too many lack access to diagnosis, treatment, and support services.” The new law also provides educational and public awareness programs and develops and expands screening for these disorders.
>>New Grants Open for Avian Influenza Prevention and Extreme Weather Preparedness
(St. Paul, MN) – Minnesota farmers can now get extra help when it comes to preventing avian influenza and preparing for extreme weather. Two DFL senators with the Agriculture Committee, Chair Aric Putnam of St. Cloud and Vice-chair Rob Kupec of Moorhead, announced that the two Agricultural Growth Research and Innovation grants are now available. Under the grants, farmers may be eligible for up to $10,000 to help purchase and install equipment to keep their farms safe from avian influenza. The other grant allows farmers to protect their livestock and crops from drought, flooding, hail, and other severe weather events. Grant applications are due January 15th.
>>Lt. Gov. Flanagan Launches Statewide “Loud and Clear Voice” Tour
(St. Louis Park, MN) – U.S. Senate candidate and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan is hitting the road for her “Loud and Clear Voice Tour” ahead of Minnesota’s precinct caucuses on February 3rd. Flanagan plans more than 40 stops in 38 cities to educate voters on the caucus process and share her campaign message. She says her Ojibwe name, meaning “Speaks with a loud, clear voice woman,” reflects her commitment to listening to Minnesotans and fighting for them in Washington. The tour kicks off this weekend in Litchfield and Montevideo, with additional stops across Greater Minnesota and the Twin Cities through January.
>>Concordia Prepares for 99th Christmas Concert
(Moorhead, MN) – Thousands are expected at Concordia College’s 99th annual Christmas Concert this weekend. This year’s theme, “Welcome All Wonders,” will feature more than 300 student musicians across five ensembles. Performances run Friday through Sunday at Memorial Auditorium in Moorhead and next Thursday, December 11th, at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis. Tickets are available online or through the Memorial Auditorium Box Office.
>>Virginia Store Sells $50K Powerball Ticket
(Roseville, MN) – A lucky Powerball player in Virginia, Minnesota, is holding a ticket worth $50,000. Minnesota Lottery officials say the winning ticket was sold at Short Stop for the November 26th drawing. Winners have one year to claim prizes, and amounts over $50,000 must be claimed in person at lottery headquarters in Roseville.
