>>Lamakers Continue to Push for Creating an Independent Office of Inspector General
(St. Paul, MN) — With fraud running rampant in Minnesota, lawmakers are preparing to revisit a proposal to create an independent Office of Inspector General. The measure sailed through the Senate last session but stalled in the House. Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth says the bill will be back on the agenda when lawmakers return February 17th. “When we return to the legislative session on February 17th, we have much work to do. I’ve already mentioned the OIG bill that couldn’t quite get over the finish line, that we need to take another look at.” DFL House Leader Zack Stephenson says Republicans need to join Democrats in supporting stronger oversight: “We will continue to work on it, and absolutely if that’s the solution that we all choose to follow, we have no problem with that. We want to take strong measures to combat fraud.”
>>Two Suspects Charged in Hibbing Meth Bust
(Hibbing, MN) — Two people are facing drug charges in connection with a meth bust in Hibbing. The Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force stopped a car driven by 42-year-old Travis White Saturday morning, and a search led to three pounds of methamphetamine, a scale, and baggies. Authorities searched White’s home and arrested 41-year-old Deann Buncich for possession of meth. White was arraigned in St. Louis County today on four counts of first-degree possession of methamphetamine charges. Buncich is charged with fifth-degree possession.
>>St. Cloud Stabbing Suspect Identified
(St. Cloud, MN) — St. Cloud Police have identified the victim and suspect in a domestic-related fatal stabbing early Monday morning. Authorities say 25-year-old Quinton Hughes of Sauk Rapids was found dead with a stab wound inside an apartment around 4:00 a.m. Police arrested 23-year-old Katerina Markiv of St. Cloud at the scene without incident. Investigators confirmed Hughes and Markiv were in a relationship. Markiv is currently being held in the Stearns County Jail on homicide-related charges. The case remains under active investigation.
>>University of Minnesota Names New Assistant Vice President and Police Chief
(Minneapolis) – The University of Minnesota has announced a longtime law enforcement leader as the new assistant vice president and police chief. Michael Davis will take over on January 12. The university says Davis brings 33 years of law enforcement experience to the university. Under the new positions, Davis will lead the university’s Department of Public Safety, which includes the police department and campus security, along with overseeing the emergency communications center. Davis was previously the police chief for Brooklyn Park from 2008-2013.
>>Wisconsin State Patrol Identifies Minnesota Pedestrian Killed on Interstate 94
(Black River Falls, WI) — The Wisconsin State Patrol is naming the Minnesota woman struck and killed by a vehicle on Interstate 94 near Black River Falls. Troopers say 30-year-old Kara Ann Meslow from Mahtomedi was hit Monday night on I-94 in Jackson County. Meslow died at the scene. No information has been released about the driver.
