>>Heated Exchange Between MN Attorney General and WI Senator
(Washington, D.C.) – Another heated exchange at the U.S. Capitol, this time between Wisconsin U.S. Senator Ron Johnson and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison in the Senate Homeland Security Committee. The Wisconsin Republican accused Ellison of encouraging anti-ICE protests – and “exploiting” the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Johnson told Ellison, “A tragedy occurred, and you encouraged it…It’s sick, it’s despicable.” Ellison asked Johnson if he was asking him a question, “Because everything you said was untrue.” Ellison told senators that federal law enforcement agencies are still blocking state and local authorities from participating in the investigations into the shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by immigration agents in Minneapolis.
>>Governor Walz Announces Relief Package for Small Businesses
(St. Paul, MN) – Governor Tim Walz announced a $10 million relief package proposal for small businesses impacted by federal immigration operations in Minnesota. Businesses could be eligible for loans between $2,500 and $25,000. Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Matt Varilek explained, “The loans would be 0% over three years. After one year, there would be an opportunity to seek 50% forgiveness on the basis of proving you’ve had substantial impacts from the presence of federal agents.” The relief proposal will be part of the governor’s 2026 legislative package to go before lawmakers.
>>50 Minnesotans Speak Outside U.S. Senate to Demand No DHS Funding From Reps, Senators
(Washington, D.C.) – A delegation of 50 Minnesotans rallied outside of the U-S Senate in Washington, D.C. today, demanding their Representatives and Senators vote to defund the Department of Homeland Security. Rachel Thunder, a Native leader and mutual-aid organizer from Minneapolis, says what’s happening in Minnesota right now is not new to Indigenous or Native people. She says, “The criminalization, surveillance, and detention have been going on since the beginning of colonization over 530 years ago.” Thunder says no one is illegal on stolen land. Border Czar Tom Homan announced this morning that Operation Metro Surge will be coming to an end.
>>Medical Debt Relief Bill Introduced in Congress
(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Representative Angie Craig introduced legislation to ease the burden of medical debt on Minnesotans. The “Patient Debt Relief Act” would protect patients and their families from predatory debt collection practices and require hospitals to offer more manageable repayment options. The proposal would establish a grant program under the Department of Health and Human Services to allow nonprofit organizations to purchase medical debt from hospitals. The plan would be available to those whose medical debt exceeds 5% of their income and those whose household income is below 400% of the federal poverty level.
>>St. Cloud Man Accused of Trying to Set Home on Fire
(St. Cloud, MN) – A 23-year-old St. Cloud man is facing a felony charge of threats of violence after police say he tried to set a home on fire Tuesday night. Officers responded around 7 p.m. after a woman reported a man outside with lighter fluid attempting to ignite the house. Police arrived and found Asad Keynan standing behind a tree wearing blue medical gloves, with more gloves and a container of lighter fluid at his feet. Officers say he smelled strongly of lighter fluid. A second woman told police she saw Keynan pouring lighter fluid and that he accidentally ignited his hand. Keynan was arrested at the scene, and the case remains under investigation.
>>Austin Man Wanted for Release Violation Captured After Chase in Albert Lea
(Albert Lea, MN) – A 22-year-old Austin man convicted in a 2020 manslaughter case is back in custody after fleeing authorities in Albert Lea this morning. Police say Nickalos Taylor was wanted by the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) for violating the terms of supervised release. DOC agents were following a vehicle he was riding in when Albert Lea officers stopped it. Police say Taylor jumped out and fled onto the ice on Fountain Lake, with officers chasing him on foot. A perimeter was set up around the lake, and Taylor was taken into custody without further incident.
>>Warm Forecast for Valentine’s Day Weekend in Minnesota
(Chanhassen, MN) – The Valentine’s Day weekend forecast for Minnesota is a warm one. National Weather Service Meteorologist Caleb Grunzke says most of the state will be 20 degrees warmer than normal, including the Twin Cities and central Minnesota. He says Saturday and Sunday will be near 50 degrees, but the really warm temps will be farther southwest, where there is no snowpack. Grunzke says Duluth and other areas of northern Minnesota will have highs in the 40s through Monday.
>>SE Minnesota Singer Cori Kennedy to Open for Randy Houser at Steele County Free Fair
(Owatonna, MN) – Southeast Minnesota native Cori Kennedy continues her rise in the music world, listed as the special guest for Randy Houser’s concert at the 2026 Steele County Free Fair. The Kasson-Mantorville graduate is known for her appearance on The Voice and for singing the national anthem at U.S. Bank Stadium. Kennedy will open for Houser on Friday, August 21st. Fair organizers say pairing a national act with a homegrown performer is a highlight of this year’s entertainment lineup. The Steele County Free Fair runs August 18th-23rd in Owatonna.
