>>DFL House Leader Reacts to FBI Shutting Out BCA From Investigations
(St. Paul, MN) – The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) says the FBI has notified them that they will not have any access to the information or evidence collected from the Alex Pretti shooting on January 24. DFL House Leader Zack Stephenson says he isn’t shocked the federal government doesn’t want the BCA involved because they “don’t want an organization with an incredible reputation for thoroughness of doing nonpartisan investigation investigating them.” He says they won’t stop fighting for it. The BCA says it’s still unclear whether the FBI will share evidence in the fatal shooting of Renee Good or the wounding of Julio Sosa-Celis. The BCA says it continues to investigate all three shootings.
>>One Dead, One Rescued in Lake City House Fire
(Lake City, MN) – One person is dead, and another was rescued after a house fire on Sunday in Lake City. Fire crews responded near 6:54 a.m. to a fully involved multi-family home, where smoke and flames were showing on all sides, and the front porch had collapsed. Officials say firefighters conducted an aggressive search of the second floor and rescued a young girl from an upstairs window. She was stabilized on scene and taken to the hospital. A second occupant was later found deceased inside the home. Firefighters encountered heavy smoke, fire, and partial floor collapse. The State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause.
>>St. Cloud Man Charged With Kidnapping, Sexual Assault
(St. Cloud, MN) – A 55-year-old St. Cloud man faces felony kidnapping and sexual assault charges after a woman says he held her in his home over several days. The Stearns County criminal complaint says the woman previously cleaned Marquell Goree’s home and was hired again for housekeeping. She said she walked to his residence after missing a ride Goree arranged. Once inside, she told investigators Goree threatened her with a knife, prevented her from leaving, and assaulted her repeatedly over a five-day period. She says she was allowed to leave by telling Goree she needed to attend a probation appointment. Police say a search of the home found items matching her account, including a bathrobe, a knife, and other evidence. Goree is due in court on March 11th.
>>House Speaker Demuth: No New Taxes, No Promises on Bonding Bill
(St. Paul, MN) – House Republicans announced their priorities for the legislative session that begins tomorrow. They include fighting fraud by passing an Office of Inspector General bill and a school safety bill. When asked about new taxes, House Speaker Lisa Demuth said we’re heading towards a “Democrat-created deficit back in ‘23 and ‘24.”She says tax increases are ”off the table.” The latest numbers showed Minnesota facing a $3 billion deficit by the end of the decade. State lawmakers passed a $700 million bonding bill last session. New numbers are expected when the February forecast is released in a few weeks.
>>Business Owners Support DFL Immigration Changes
(St. Paul, MN) – Minnesota small business owners are calling on state lawmakers to come together and pass legislation to protect them from federal immigration agents. J.D. (Jenaro) Delgado says the impact of ICE operations in the Twin Cities has forced many businesses to close. He asks, “Aren’t we supposed to be about freedom? My family and I, our friends, our neighbors, and other business owners have not felt free in a long time.” Sarah Lechowich, a third-generation owner of a construction company in Cottage Grove, says the only responsible choice for her business was to stop projects, as they “couldn’t guarantee the safety of their workers,” even though they’ve “gained legal status.” The DFL proposals center on protecting Minnesotans’ constitutional rights regarding these federal operations. The legislative session begins tomorrow.
>>Protests Happening for “ICE Out Enterprise National Day of Action”
(Minneapolis, MN) – Community members are holding protests across the Twin Cities as part of a national day of action against Enterprise Rental Cars. The protesters are demanding that Enterprise cancel their contracts with ICE agents. The organization “Free Minnesota” says Enterprise has rented thousands of vehicles to federal agents that have been used in arrests of innocent people. Protests are also being held in Portland, Oregon, Philadelphia, Montana, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
>>US Women’s Hockey Shuts Out Sweden, Advances to Olympic Gold Medal Game
(Milan, IT) – The U.S. women’s hockey team beat Sweden five-zero today and is advancing to the Olympic gold medal game in Italy. Golden Gopher forward Abbey Murphy had a goal and an assist, and Lake City native Taylor Heise also scored for the Americans. Goaltender Aerin Frankel made 15 saves for the win. Team USA has guaranteed at least a silver medal for the fifth consecutive Winter Games. The U.S. last won gold in 2018.
>>Minnesota Women’s Basketball Ranked #23 in New AP Poll
(Minneapolis, MN) – The University of Minnesota women’s basketball team is ranked 23rd in this week’s Associated Press poll. The Golden Gophers finally cracked the top 25 rankings following their eighth straight win Sunday at Wisconsin. The U of M has won 20 games for the third season in a row under coach Dawn Plitzuweit. The Gophers last made the NCAA tournament in 2018. They play number 10 Ohio State on Wednesday night at Williams Arena.
>>No Trampled by Turtles Show at Bayfront Festival Park this Summer
(Duluth, MN) – Trampled by Turtles will not be performing this summer at Bayfront Festival Park in their hometown. The Duluth-based bluegrass-folk band plays an annual show at Lake Superior’s harbor every year. The Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) said on Facebook, “We’ll truly miss having them on the lineup this year. There’s no denying it leaves a turtle-shaped hole in our hearts.” Trampled by Turtles played a January 31st benefit show for the Immigration Rapid Response Team and Hennepin County Labor and Delivery at the Turf Club in St. Paul.
