>>U.S. AG Bondi Warns MN, Others of Consequences of Noncompliance to Trump’s Transgender Ban
(Undated) — Minnesota, California, and Maine have been warned by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to get on board with President Donald Trump’s transgender athlete ban or prepare to be sued. Trump signed an executive order earlier this month banning transgender people from women’s and girls’ sports. Supported by MN AG Keith Ellison’s legal opinion, the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) says it would follow Minnesota’s laws, not Trump’s. Trump has announced an investigation into the MSHSL.
>>House Bill Would Give Peacetime Emergency Power to Legislature, Not Governor
(St. Paul, MN) – A House bill would diminish the power of the governor in Minnesota during a peacetime emergency and give it to the legislature. The “Never Again Act” includes a requirement that a two-thirds majority of both the House and Senate is needed to declare an emergency. It could be extended up to 30 days. The bill’s author, Representative Drew Roach, references the COVID-19 pandemic when Governor Walz ordered businesses closed, noting this law would require the legislature’s voice before action is taken. The bill would not limit the governor’s authority over the military.
>>Minnesotans Make 9M Visits to Food Shelves in 2024
(Undated) – The Food Group’s annual report notes Minnesota has seen its 4th year of record-breaking statewide food shelf visits. Department of Children, Youth, and Family Commissioner Tikki Brown says 9 million visits were made in 2024. That’s 1.3 million visits more than in 2023 and more than two and a half times the visits seen before the pandemic in 2019. Brown says, meanwhile, food prices have also increased by 28% since 2019.
>>Isanti Police Officer Accused Of Sending Sexual Image To Minor Pleads Guilty
(Isanti, MN) — An Isanti police officer accused of sending a nude photo of himself to a minor is entering a guilty plea. Officer Nicholas Martell intends to plead guilty to one count of distributing electronic communication material that relates to sexual conduct to a child. Under a plea agreement, Martell must serve 366 days in jail. He was charged last summer when he was accused of sending a photo of his genitalia and then asking the 13-year-old if they liked it. His sentencing is set for May 5th.
>>Bipartisan Bill Would Provide Protections for Homeowners from HOAs
(St. Paul, MN) – There could soon be an overhaul of how Homeowners Associations (HOA) and Common Interest Communities (CIC) operate in Minnesota. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, in the House and Senate, are working on an HOA reform package to provide certain rights to homeowners. Representative Kristin Bahner says it would include, “A common sense set of reasonable standards to improve Minnesota law, provide necessary guardrails, and critical checks and balances.” The bill is expected to have a hearing next week in the Senate Housing Committee.
>>Funeral Home Director Arrested for DWI
(Crosby, MN) — A funeral home director, 63-year-old Nicholas Zillmer, was arrested for arriving drunk to pick up a body in Crosby on Sunday night. Police responded to a dispute at a home where a family member had passed away and found Zillmer with bloodshot eyes and an odor of alcohol. A field sobriety test indicated impairment, and his preliminary breath test recorded a blood alcohol content of .17, rising to .19 at the police station.
>>Nationwide Arrest Warrants for 2 Men Accused of St. Cloud Sexual Assault
(St. Cloud, MN) — Two men have nationwide arrest warrants issued after being accused of sexually assaulting a St. Cloud college student. 20-year-old Dipak Phayal and 19-year-old Sujan Tamang are accused of forcing a student into her dorm room and sexually assaulting her on November 1st (2024). Both have denied their involvement, but DNA samples taken during a medical exam of the victim were a match. Officials say the suspects have left Minnesota, and their whereabouts are unknown.
>>Man Charged with Starting Fire in St. Cloud Group Home
(St. Cloud, MN) — A 31-year-old man has been charged with arson for setting a fire in a St. Cloud group home on Monday. Police responded around 8 p.m., finding a couch on fire and smoke coming from suspect Abdijamal Mohamed’s room. Mohamed told police he threw a T-shirt on the couch and lit it on fire but gave no reason as to why.
>>Mayo Clinic Named #1 Worldwide for 7th Year
(Rochester, MN) — Mayo Clinic has been ranked “World’s Best Hospital” for the seventh year in a row. Newsweek and Statista release annual rankings based on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), including online surveys, patient satisfaction, hospital quality metrics, and a PROMs implementation survey. Mayo Clinic CEO Dr. Gianrico Farrugia says the recognition is dedicated to “staff who consistently deliver unparalleled, compassionate care to our patients.”
>>Nuclear Alliance Groups Hopes Construction Ban Lifts in Legislation
(Maple Grove, MN) — The Minnesota Nuclear Energy Alliance is urging the state legislature to lift the ban on new nuclear development. Organizers believe nuclear energy is critical for MN to meet its carbon-free goals by 2040 and that it already has bipartisan support.
