>>Ice Rescue on Lake of the Woods
(Baudette, MN) – A man is safe after he had to be rescued from the ice of Lake of the Woods in far northern Minnesota. Lake of the Woods County Sheriff Gary Fish says the man, from Winsted, reported that he was surrounded by about 400 feet of open water and was standing on thin ice. Emergency responders from the sheriff’s office, Baudette Fire-Rescue, and Lake of the Woods Ambulance were sent to Graceton Beach Access. An airboat was used to bring the man to safety. Fish is reminding anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts to exercise extreme caution when going onto early-season ice. He says weather and wind conditions can change rapidly.
>>MN Man Charged in Violent Kidnapping, Sexual Assault Cases
(St. Paul, MN) — Federal prosecutors have charged a 28-year-old man in connection with a series of violent crimes spanning eight years. U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen says Abdimahat Mohamed faces two federal kidnapping charges after investigators linked him to multiple assaults, including the abduction of a minor in 2017 and an adult woman earlier this year. Authorities allege that Mohamed targeted at least five victims between 2017 and 2025, often using social media to make contact. DNA evidence and witness statements tie him to several incidents statewide. Mohamed was arrested after federal agents received new information last week. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison and could spend life behind bars. The investigation remains ongoing.
>>Minnesota Court of Appeals Judge Charged with DWI After Crash
(Owatonna, MN) – A Minnesota Court of Appeals judge is facing a drunken-driving charge after crashing her vehicle into a snowbank last week. Renee Worke, 67, of Owatonna, allegedly struck a snowbank near the I-35 overpass in Owatonna around 9:15 p.m. last Saturday. When a deputy arrived, Worke reportedly had “glossy” eyes and slurred speech, the criminal complaint states. She told officers she was returning from visiting friends in Waseca and claimed she had consumed one glass of wine about two hours earlier. Worke was taken to the Steele County Detention Center for sobriety testing. A breath sample indicated an alcohol concentration of 0.16, twice Minnesota’s legal limit of 0.08.
>>Fargo Murder Charge Dropped, Suspect Still in Custody
(Fargo, ND) – Fargo Police say the man arrested this week in connection with an August murder is no longer facing that charge, but he remains in custody. 20-year-old Tyrque Jones was arrested Wednesday in the Twin Cities for the shooting death of 19-year-old Azeem Holmes. Investigators say interviews and video evidence led prosecutors to dismiss the murder charge, and the case is now shifting to other suspects. Jones is still being held in Hennepin County on unrelated charges. Police believe the downtown shooting is linked to another fatal shooting in West Fargo the same night and urge anyone with information to come forward.
>>Gov. Walz Condemns Trump Comments on Somalis
(St. Paul, MN) – Governor Tim Walz is condemning remarks from President Trump calling Somalis “garbage”. Thursday, the governor went a step further, calling on Republicans to condemn it as well. Walz says anyone in Minnesota, especially lawmakers, who can’t “condemn this vile attack on our neighbors” is complicit. Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth did not condemn the President’s use of words, instead noting that no entire community is good or bad, but that “there are Somali-Americans asking to get to the bottom of this.” Republican Senator Eric Pratt of Prior Lake says, “It wasn’t said they way I would…but I share the President’s frustration in the amount of fraud and corruption in this state.” ICE is already in the Twin Cities carrying out enforcement operations against the Somali community.
>>Twin Cities Districts Vow to Block ICE Access to Schools
(Undated) – Several Twin Cities school districts say they will not allow federal immigration agents inside school buildings. Concerns grew yesterday in St. Louis Park after reports that ICE agents were spotted near local schools. Superintendent Carlondrea Hines assured families that the district has increased supervision around its campuses. Meanwhile, Hopkins Public Schools told parents in an email Wednesday that it will deny entry to immigration enforcement agents seeking to detain or question anyone. If agents refuse to leave, administrators are instructed to contact local police and request that the agents depart peacefully.
>>Ousted Rosemount Police Chief Says He Was Denied Due Process
(Rosemount, MN) – Former Rosemount Police Chief Mikael Dahlstrom says he was forced out of his position without a proper investigation. Dahlstrom resigned this week, two months after being placed on administrative leave while city officials reviewed internal complaints. In a public letter released Thursday, Dahlstrom claimed his separation agreement came without an official investigation and without a union vote of no confidence. City officials confirm the agreement includes a $164,000 payout and bars either party from pursuing legal action.
>>Education Minnesota Calls on Lawmakers to Invest Budget Surplus in Educators
(St. Paul, MN) – Education Minnesota is calling on Minnesota lawmakers to invest the budget surplus in the next biennium in educators. The Minnesota Management and Budget Office projects a $2.5 billion surplus for the years 2026-27. The report showed that spending for E-12 education is expected to increase by $1.3 billion in the next biennium, primarily because of special education costs and inflation. President of Education Minnesota Monica Byron said, “A high-quality education is the best way to support strong communities and strong economies around the state.” The budget forecast did show a $3 billion deficit for the following biennium.
