>>Robbery Suspect Arrested in 2025 Le Sueur County Case
(Le Sueur County, MN) – A Burnsville man wanted in connection with armed robbery last year in Le Sueur County is now in custody. Deputies say 23-year-old Dashawn Newton was arrested in St. Louis County on a warrant. The charges stem from a January 21st, 2025, incident in Tyrone Township, where a man posing as someone needing car trouble assistance allegedly pulled a gun on a homeowner. Investigators say Newton was allowed inside the home to use a phone charger, then took out a firearm and forced the victim to open a safe before taking cash. He then made the victim drive him to U.S. Highway 169, where he fled. Newton is being held on charges of kidnapping, aggravated robbery, and second-degree assault.
>>Rep. Morrison Invites Hortman’s Son to State of the Union
(St. Paul, MN) – U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison has invited the son of late Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman as her guest for tonight’s State of the Union address. Colin Hortman was in the House gallery this morning when Morrison read a resolution honoring the Hortmans’ lives. She announced, “The House of Representatives honors the life of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman for her devotion and service to the people of Minnesota. Honors the life of Mark Hortman for his devotion to his family and service to his community. Honors the life of Gilbert Hortman for his devotion to Melissa, treats, and lying in the snow.” Morrison has led the effort in Congress to condemn political violence.
>>MIRAC Plans Rally Calling for Sanctuary State Protections
(St. Paul, MN) – The Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) will rally outside the Governor’s Mansion tonight at 6 p.m., calling on state leaders to make Minnesota a sanctuary state. Last week, Border Czar Tom Homan announced the federal “Operation Metro Surge” would be winding down, but community groups say ICE activity has continued across the state. MIRAC says they want more information about what Homan described as “unprecedented cooperation” between federal agencies and Minnesota law enforcement. They’re also raising concerns about 287(g) agreements, which allow some local agencies to assist in federal immigration enforcement. Eight Minnesota counties currently participate.
>>Sun Country Picking Up Travelers Stranded in Puerto Vallarta
(Bloomington, MN) – Minneapolis-based Sun Country Airlines is sending two planes to Puerto Vallarta today to retrieve passengers stranded after the carrier canceled flights amid civil unrest. The airline halted service in and out of the resort city following violence sparked by the killing of a cartel leader on Sunday. Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines says at least one flight from Minneapolis–St. Paul to Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport operated today. Delta has issued a travel advisory warning that trips in, out of, or through Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara could be disrupted through Thursday due to the ongoing unrest.
>>Clara City Couple Honored as Angel Family in D.C.
(Clara City, MN) – Josh and Jen Heiling of Clara City were in Washington, D.C., on Monday at the invitation of President Donald Trump. The west central Minnesota couple’s 19-year-old son, Brady Heiling, was killed July 25th in a Wisconsin crash along with 18-year-old Hallie Helgeson. Authorities say a Honduran national in the U.S. illegally was driving intoxicated and the wrong way on a highway when the collision occurred. The Heilings were invited to the White House for a proclamation honoring “Angel Families,” recognizing victims killed by people in the country illegally.
>>Xcel Energy, Google Partner on New Pine Island Data Center and Major Clean-Energy Expansion
(Pine Island, MN) – Xcel Energy and Google want to bring a new Google data center to Pine Island in Southern Minnesota, a project expected to bring significant local investment and one of the largest clean energy expansions in Minnesota to date. Under the agreement, Google will pay all electric service costs while partnering with Xcel Energy through a new Clean Energy Accelerator Charge. The plan includes 1,900 megawatts of new clean energy through wind, solar, and iron-air battery storage. Xcel says the deal ensures current customers will not see higher rates and supports Minnesota’s carbon-free energy goals. Google says the data center will bring jobs, economic growth, and grid-resilience improvements while supporting services like Search, Maps, YouTube, and Workspace. The agreement will be reviewed by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.
>>MDA Weekly Recall
(St. Paul, MN) – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is naming two products in its weekly recall. Ajinomoto Foods North America is recalling over 3.37 million pounds of frozen, not ready-to-eat chicken fried rice products due to possible glass contamination. The product was produced between September 8th and November 17th, 2025. including bags of the Japanese-style Fried Rice and Trader Joe’s Chicken Fried Rice. Rosina Food Products is recalling almost 9,500 pounds of ready-to-eat frozen meatball products due to possible metal contamination. The product was produced on July 30th, 2025, including bags of the family-size Italian Style Meatballs with a best by date of October 30th, 2026.
