>>Woman Dies in Shafer Apartment Fire
(Chisago County, MN) — A Chisago County woman is dead after a fire in her apartment on Sunday. First responders received calls of heavy, black smoke coming from a Shafer apartment building around 10 p.m. The woman found dead in her unit was in her 60s.
>>Robbinsdale Family Sues MN Over Son’s Landslide Death
(South Bend Township, MN) — A Robbinsdale family is suing the State of Minnesota after their 19-year-old son was killed in a 2023 landslide. On December 2nd, Jack Loso visited Minneopa State Park in Blue Earth County with his family. Around 5 p.m., a landslide trapped Loso under the earth, killing him. The family seeks over $150,000 for Loso’s death and emotional trauma inflicted on his sister and cousin. The suit claims the very same area of the landslide experienced a landslide two months prior and that the walkway Loso followed into the area didn’t have proper warning signs.
>>Hockey Coach in ICU After Injury During Practice
(Victoria, MN) — A high school hockey coach is currently hospitalized with a critical brain injury after being knocked to the ice during a recent practice. Jason Jensen’s wife informed the Star Tribune that her husband suffered his injury on Friday when a player collided with him. At the time of the incident, he was coaching the Holy Family girls’ hockey team at the Recreation Center in Victoria. Jensen was not wearing a helmet during practice, as it is not mandatory for coaches in Minnesota to do so. In addition to coaching the Holy Family team, Jensen also coaches the Chanhassen High School boys’ team.
>>Sen. Clark Sworn in, Senate Democrats End Power Sharing Agreement in Senate
(St. Paul, MN) – The Minnesota Senate is no longer tied, and in a swift action following the swearing-in of new DFL Senator Doron Clark, Senate Democrats introduced a motion and voted to end the power-sharing agreement with Republicans. The vote was along party lines, 34 to 33. Senate Republican leader Mark Johnson was obviously disappointed in the quick decision, stating, “Bipartisanship in the Senate is dead. This partisanship is going to infect the Senate again, and it’s really a sad thing after all we accomplished over these last three weeks.” Newly elected Majority Leader Erin Murphy says Democrats ended the agreement because it’s what Minnesotans voted for. An amendment to keep the power-sharing agreement in place for one more week failed.
>>Several Minnesota Restaurants and Daycares Close Today To Protest Trump Immigration Actions
(Undated) – Many restaurants and daycares in Minnesota are participating in a nationwide protest against President Donald Trump’s recent immigration decision. Eateries are temporarily closing today to stand in solidarity with immigrant workers. This movement, called “A Day Without Immigrants,” aims to highlight the significance of immigrants to society and the economy by encouraging workers to stay home, closing businesses, and urging consumers not to shop. This initiative follows President Trump’s executive order to conduct mass deportations of undocumented immigrants in the United States.
>>2 Women Plead Guilty in FOF Fraud Scheme
(Minneapolis, MN) — Two Minnesota women are the latest to plead guilty for their roles in the $250 million Feeding Our Future fraud scheme. Mekfira Hussein of Shakopee and Ayan Jama of Rochester, along with others, exploited a federally funded child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic. From October 2020 to January 2022, Hussein enrolled her non-profit, Shamsia Hopes. She inflated meal counts and attendance rosters, ultimately obtaining up to $8.8 million. From December 2020 to January 2022, Jama, principal of Brava Rochester at the time, enrolled her restaurant and claimed to serve over 1.7 million meals. Jama cost FOF over $5.3 million in meal reimbursements, ultimately obtaining nearly $5 million. Both women will be sentenced at a later date.
>>Black Entrepreneurs Day at MN Capitol
(St. Paul, MN) – The third annual Black Entrepreneurs Day at the State Capitol even attracted Minnesota legislators from Washington. Congresswomen Kelly Morrison and Betty McCollum flew in for the event. Morrison told the dozens of small business owners at the rally that her door is open to help these Minnesotans succeed and that we need to share resources to succeed. Morrison is a member of the Small Business Committee in Congress. The rally included tributes to former Senator Kari Dzeidzic, who organizers say was a key resource for Black business owners in the legislature.
>>MN Timberwolves Celebrate Black History Night
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Timberwolves celebrate Black History Month tonight as they host the Sacramento Kings. Special in-game programming includes Known MPLS performing the Black National Anthem and National Anthem, a halftime performance by Minneapolis-based TKO Drumline, guest chef Flo’s Eats on 100- and 200-levels, and more. Fans can buy limited-edition hoodies, available in-arena, designed by artist Reggie LeFlore for the Timberwolves Artist Series.
>>142 Candidates Vying for 2025 Minnesota Teacher of the Year
(St. Paul, MN) — A field of 142 candidates is running for 2025 Minnesota Teacher of the Year. Education Minnesota says an independent panel will research the candidates’ portfolios over the next few weeks and narrow the list down to semifinalists. The panel will do further review in March and choose a group of finalists. The 61st Minnesota Teacher of the Year will be announced at the annual banquet on May 4th. Minneapolis Washburn High School English teacher Tracy Byrd was the 2024 winner.