>> Despite Agreement, GOP Party Will Continue Recall Process
(St. Paul, MN) – Despite having a power-sharing agreement and Democrats back to work at the Capitol, the state Republican Party says the recall effort against House DFL members will continue. The GOP says they collected over 7,000 signed petitions in the first 24 hours of this grassroots effort. The party says they will continue the process to “ensure there are consequences for the Democrat’s nonfeasance.” The party says they will return petitions to the Secretary of State’s Office on Monday. This effort could go to the Minnesota Supreme Court, and leaders admit the entire process could take up to ten months.
>> Governor Announces New Child Care Funding
(St. Paul, MN) – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has announced more than six million dollars in grants to expand access to child care nationwide. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has awarded the money to 25 organizations to create another 1,400 spots statewide. This money has also helped expand facilities, train workers, and other strategies to reduce the childcare shortage. 84 percent of this new funding will go to childcare availability in Greater Minnesota.
>>Man Dies in House Fire near Orr in St. Louis County
(Leiding Township, MN) — Authorities in northeastern Minnesota are investigating a deadly fire early this morning (Thurs) near Orr. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says a caller reported the house was on fire, and she was unable to locate her husband. The home was fully engulfed when crews arrived and is considered a total loss. The 57-year-old woman was able to get out, but her husband was last seen awake inside the home. Fire officials believe he died in the fire. Investigators are trying to determine the cause.
>>Vehicle Crashes into Mankato Elementary School
(Mankato, MN) — Students at Kennedy Elementary School in Mankato were relocated after a vehicle reportedly crashed into the school building. Investigators said the vehicle came to a rest after striking a column and will be removed after the damage is assessed by a structural engineer. The students were transported to Mankato East High School following the crash. No injuries were reported.
>> Minnesota Man Sentenced For Using Apps To Sexually Extort Dozens Of Girls
(St. Paul, MN) — A Winona man is going to prison for using social media apps to sexually extort dozens of girls. Valentin Quintana was sentenced to 27 years behind bars. The 31-year-old pleaded guilty to one count each of producing, distributing, and possessing child sex abuse material. Prosecutors say Quintana used apps like Snapchat and Instagram to threaten, sexually manipulate, and exploit at least 65 girls between the ages of nine and 15. The youngsters were from places like Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, New Zealand, and elsewhere.
>>Six-Year-Old Girl Seriously Wounded In Dog Attack At Babysitter’s Minnesota Home
(Ghent, MN) — A six-year-old girl is hospitalized in serious condition after three dogs attacked her at her babysitter’s home in southwestern Minnesota. The incident happened on January 26 in Ghent, just miles from Marshall. The dogs were removed from the home, placed in a kennel in Marshall, and declared dangerous. The young victim, Zoey Winter, was admitted to a Sioux Falls hospital with several bite wounds on her arm, sides, and legs and severe injuries to her right ear. No charges have yet been filed in the case.
>>Vikings O’Connell and Darnold Could Win Awards at NFL Honors Show
(New Orleans, LA) — Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell and quarterback Sam Darnold could take home awards tonight (Thurs 8pm) at the N-F-L Honors show in New Orleans. O’Connell is considered one of the favorites to win Coach of the Year, while Darnold is a Comeback Player of the Year finalist. Minnesota’s head coach and Q-B led the Purple to a 14-and-3 record this season and the first round of the playoffs. Bud Grant was the last Minnesota Vikings coach to win the award in 1969.
