>>Joint Memorial Service Scheduled for Killed Burnsville First Responders
(Burnsville, MN) — A joint memorial service for the three first responders killed in the line of duty Sunday is scheduled one week from today. (WED) During a domestic call standoff, where a suspect barricaded seven children and a mother inside a home, two Burnsville police officers and a firefighter-paramedic were fatally shot by suspect 38-year-old Shannon Gooden before he killed himself. The Minnesota BCA is leading the investigation into the first responders’ deaths.
>>Vigil For Fallen Burnsville Police Officer Tonight In Wabasha
(Wabasha, MN) — A police officer killed in the line of duty in Burnsville will be remembered tonight in Wabasha. A candlelight vigil for Officer Matthew Ruge will be held at 7:30 beneath the Wabasha-Nelson Bridge. Family members, friends, and community members are all invited to attend. Ruge graduated from the Wabasha-Kellogg School District in 2015 and received a degree from MSU-Mankato in 2018.
>>Proposed Legislation Would Cover Cost of Abortion Services
(St. Paul, MN) — All health insurance plans sold in Minnesota would be required to cover abortion under a bill that a group of state lawmakers called the Reproductive Freedom Caucus is pushing this legislative session. Democratic Senator Alice Mann from Edina says health plans already cover maternity, prenatal, and primary care and says it’s not right to have people pay premiums all year round for a service they cannot access because of politics. Mann says none of the health insurance plans offered through the state-run MNsure marketplace cover abortion services. Pro-life groups weren’t immediately available to comment on the initiative.
>>Nurses from Seven Different Facilities Plan One-Day Strike
(St. Paul, MN) — Approximately 600 employees from seven different nursing homes in Minnesota plan to go on a one-day strike on March 5th due to dissatisfaction with wages and benefits. According to a survey conducted in 2023 by SEIU Healthcare MN and Iowa President Jamie Gulley, out of over 1,300 nursing home workers in Minnesota, 90% earned less than $20 per hour. The workers demand a minimum wage of $25, affordable healthcare, and pensions. During the last legislative session, Senate Republicans negotiated $300 million for nursing homes across the state, roughly translating to a $1 per hour pay increase. However, Senator Jim Abeler says that this was only a temporary solution and that it is crucial to address these challenges as the lives of seniors are at stake. It is estimated that by 2030, one in four Minnesotans will be 65 years or older.
>>Gov. Walz Appoints New Executive Director of Cannabis Expungement Board
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz announced today (Wednesday) that James Rowader has been appointed as the Executive Director of the Cannabis Expungement Board in Minnesota, starting on March 25th. The purpose of this board is to examine the eligibility of cannabis-related felony and misdemeanor convictions for expungement or resentencing. Governor Walz expressed confidence in Rowader’s abilities and experience, citing his leadership and legal expertise in various public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Rowader has previously served on the boards of the Minnesota Justice Research Center, Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association, ACLU-MN, and the Minnesota United Soccer Association.
>>Puck Drops on Girls State Hockey Tournament at the Xcel Energy Center
(St. Paul, MN) — The 2024 Minnesota State High School Girls’ Hockey Tournament is underway today (Wednesday) in St. Paul. Orono (OAR’-uh-no) topped Willmar 4-1 in the first-Class A quarterfinal, and Dodge County skated past Fergus Falls 4-0 in the second matchup at the Xcel Energy Center. Luverne and the Richfield Holy Angels face off at 6 pm, and defending Class A champion Warroad plays Proctor/Hermantown in the late game (Wednesday. (8pm). The Class Two-A quarterfinals begin at the X tomorrow. (Thurs 11am)
