>>State Fire Marshal: Lutsen Resort Lodge had three outstanding violations prior to fire that completely destroyed historic structure
(St. Paul, MN) — The State Fire Marshal’s Office says the Lutsen Resort Lodge had three outstanding violations from that office’s inspection last summer — but it’s too early in the investigation to determine if they played a role in the fire which completely destroyed the historic structure early Tuesday morning. Officials say an inspection on July 6th of last year found seven violations, four of which the property owner repaired. But they have not released details on what those violations were. The State Fire Marshal’s Office says it “cannot predict how long the investigation will take due to the magnitude of this fire.” They say investigators are sifting through debris and ashes at the scene to review any physical evidence, will also review paperwork — such as business and financial reports — and conduct “a multitude of interviews.” And they say specific details, including daily actions in the investigation, cannot be released per Minnesota law.
>>Temps Soaring into Upper 50s in Southwest Minnesota, 50s Elsewhere
(Chanhassen, MN) — The heat is on this afternoon (Wed) in far western and southwestern Minnesota. The National Weather Service reports a high temperature of 59 degrees in Tracy, 57 in Marshall, Madison and Granite Falls, 56 in Canby, and 54 degrees in St. James and Windom. The Twin Cities hit 51 at 3 pm which is two degrees off the record. Hinckley and Cambridge in east central Minnesota reached 50, and St. Cloud reported 49 degrees. A cooldown is in the forecast statewide Friday into this weekend.
>>Ellison reaches settlement with Eli Lilly to cap insulin costs at $35
(St. Paul, MN) — Attorney General Keith Ellison says drug manufacturer Eli Lilly has agreed in a lawsuit settlement to cap out-of-pocket costs for insulin at 35 dollars per monthly prescription, plus provide free insulin to 15 clinics serving the most needy Minnesotans. Major insulin manufacturers already said they’ll lower the cost to 35 dollars a month for many patients — so why was the lawsuit necessary? Ellison says the manufacturers “saying they’re gonna do something, and then being bound by a legally-enforceable lawsuit, is a big difference.” Litigation against two other insulin manufacturers (Sanofi-Aventis and Novo Nordisk) continues in federal court. Ellison says negotiations are under way but “I’m prepared to try this case if we have to, and they need to know that.”
>>Trooper Booked And Released After Charged In Deadly Shooting Of Unarmed Motorist
(Minneapolis, MN) — A Minnesota state trooper charged with second-degree unintentional murder of a driver in north Minneapolis during a traffic stop was released less than an hour after he was booked into jail today (Wed). Ryan Londregan was processed for fingerprints and a mugshot taken at Hennepin County Jail. In addition to second-degree unintentional murder, Londregan was charged last month with second-degree manslaughter and first-degree assault in the July 31st shooting of Ricky Cobb the Second. He remains on conditional release and paid leave and is expected back in court April 29th.
>>St. Paul Teachers Union Authorizes Strike Vote
(St. Paul, MN) — The St. Paul Public Schools teachers union is authorizing a strike vote. The St. Paul Federation of Educators is asking members to decide on February 15th whether to stage a walkout if they can’t agree on a contract with management. Teachers are asking for a 75-hundred-dollar pay hike in the first year of a contract and a seven-point-five percent increase in the second year. The union is also asking for pay hikes for educational assistants along with more money for mental health services, reduced class sizes, and changes in how students are disciplined.
>>Ex-leader of Feeding Our Future claims state officials violated MN statute in their lawsuit against her
(St. Paul, MN) — Former “Feeding Our Future” leader Aimee Bock, who’s under federal indictment, alleges the state Education Department Department violated Minnesota law by purposely concealing certain documents from being included in their civil lawsuit against her, reports the Star Tribune. Bock alleges one Education Department employee mentioned using a “burner” phone, while another wrote they were trying to remove Feeding Our Future references to avoid a “hit” on I-T searches — and Bock alleges words were purposely misspelled, and documents mislabeled and deleted. Education Department officials declined to comment, citing pending litigation — but the paper reports the agency will ask a judge on April 3rd to dismiss Bock’s counterclaims.
>>Fort Ripley Man Pleads Guilty to Fatal Hit and Run
(Brainerd, MN) — A Crow Wing County man charged in the hit-and-run death of his wife last summer has pleaded guilty. Forty-seven-year-old Tony McClelland of Fort Ripley pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal vehicular homicide – operating a vehicle with negligence and under the influence of alcohol. The body of 49-year-old Angela McClelland of Fort Ripley was found the morning of June 25th. According to the criminal complaint data showed that an SUV driven by Tony stopped, then reversed to the area where Angela’s body was located in the road and stopped again before speeding off. Investigators say his wife’s blood, tissue, and hair were found under the vehicle. Tony McClelland will be sentenced in April.
>>Target Eclipsed as Top Downtown MPLS Employer
(Minneapolis, MN) — Hennepin Healthcare has replaced Target Corp. as downtown Minneapolis’ top employer, according to data released today (Wed) by the Minneapolis Downtown Council. Hennepin Healthcare’s employee count at the end of 2023 sat at 7,208, up from 6,993 the year before. Meanwhile, Target’s employee count held steady at 7,100. Downtown Minneapolis as a whole saw 65% of workers return to the office in some capacity, up from 56% last year,
