>>Warroad, Dodge County Win Class A Semifinals at Girl’s State Hockey
(St. Paul, MN) — Two-time defending champion Warroad will face Dodge County in the Class A State High School Girl’s Hockey championship tomorrow (Sat. 4pm). The Warriors topped the Academy of Holy Angels 3-2 in the semifinals this afternoon at the Xcel Energy. The Wildcats knocked off Orono 4-2 in the other Class A matchup. Hill-Murray and Andover play the first Class-Two-A semifinal at 6 p-m, followed by Minnetonka and Edina at 8 o’clock. The winners advance to the Two-A state championship Saturday night in St. Paul.
>>Walz says over 180K Minnesota kids have benefited from new Child Tax Credit
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz says over 180-thousand Minnesota children have benefited from the new Child Tax Credit from the state, and it’s averaged over 13-hundred dollars per family. Walz has been traveling the state spotlighting it and earlier this month in Alexandria, he said the new Child Tax Credit, coupled with Head Start and free school breakfast and lunch, will “reduce childhood poverty in Minnesota by a third.” It’s estimated that nearly 300-thousand Minnesota households with over a half-million children qualify for the credit of up to $1,750 per child. For more information, Google “Minnesota Department of Revenue Child Tax Credit.”
>>Rep. Finstad Introduces BEST for Vets Act
(Washington, DC) — Congressman Brad Finstad has introduced the BEST for Vets Act, which aims to ensure that all medical disability examinations (MDEs) conducted on behalf of the V-A are performed by licensed healthcare professionals. Many of those exams for veterans are performed by unlicensed medical personnel, including those with revoked licenses. Inaccurate initial exams can create unnecessary hurdles for veterans seeking proper care and benefits. The American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Wounded Warrior Project have endorsed the act.
>>Edina financial advisor charged with embezzling $1.6M from clients
(Minneapolis, MN) — A financial advisor from Edina is facing wire fraud charges for allegedly embezzling $1.6 million from her clients. 47-year-old Kristi Berge, founder and CEO of Keep Safe Investments is accused of misusing funds in her clients’ accounts between June 2020 and February 2023. She allegedly promised her clients she would keep their money in secure investment accounts, but instead used the funds to buy properties in Edina for her real estate business. Berge allegedly labeled these withdrawals as “management fees” to conceal her actions.
>>Duluth City Council to decide on $90K settlement with man alleging police abuse
(Duluth, MN) — If the Duluth City Council approves the settlement Monday, a man who was dragged handcuffed through the Skywalk by a Duluth police officer in 2017 will receive 90 thousand dollars from the city. Brandon Houle was arrested for trespassing, and body cam footage shows him drop to the ground and tell officers he wasn’t going to make it easy for them. Officer Adam Huot then dragged him about 100 feet by the handcuff chain and through a double door, where Houle’s head hit the metal frame. A lawsuit claims Houle suffered a traumatic brain injury and damage to his wrists. Officer Huot was briefly dismissed but the police union won an appeal and Huot has been back on the force since 2020.
>>MN Timberwolves Auctions for Game-Worn, Game-Issued Jerseys Begin
(Minneapolis, MN) — Minnesota Timberwolves fans can now bid on signed game-worn or game-issued Classic Edition jerseys to help celebrate the team’s 35th anniversary. Bidding began at 9 a.m. today (FRI) on the Timberwolves’ website, and will conclude at the final buzzer Saturday against the Brooklyn Nets. All proceeds from the auctions will benefit the Minnesota FastBreak Foundation, which extends local support to various nonprofits. For bidding, purchasing, and updates, visit Timberwolves.com/auction.
>>Mill City Museum Places 5th in Best National History Museum Contest
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Mill City Museum in Minneapolis has taken fifth place in the National Best History Museum Contest. Online voters selected from 21 sites across the country for USA TODAY’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice travel awards. Site Manager Dave Stevens expressed gratitude for being ranked in the top five for the second consecutive year. The Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh took first place.
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