>>High temp records falling on this last day of January
(Various) — Temperatures in the low- to mid-50s in much of Minnesota today, breaking daily January records in some areas. The mercury hit 60 degrees at Canby in southwest Minnesota and 59 at Marshall. Tyler Hasenstein with the National Weather Service in Chanhassen says El Niño – a weather pattern that brings dry, warm weather to the Northern US and Canada – is partially the cause. Hasenstein says he expects temps in the mid-40s for at least the next week.
>>Teen girl’s report of kidnapping unfounded
(East Grand Forks, MN) — A 17-year-old girl’s claim that she was kidnapped, tied up and left along a county road near East Grand Forks is unfounded — that determination from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. The girl was found Monday afternoon south of East Grand Forks but officials said there was no threat to the public. Further details aren’t available.
>>More info released about man’s death after being tasered by police
(Willmar, MN) — The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has released more information about an incident in Willmar Monday in which a man died after being hit by a Taser. The BCA says on Monday morning two Kandiyohi County sheriff’s deputies and two Willmar Police officers went to an apartment occupied by 75-year-old Michael Yanacheak of Willmar to perform a court-ordered eviction. Yanacheak would not answer the door so after an hour, officers entered with the help of the apartment manager. Yanacheak was in a bedroom and reportedly came at them with a kitchen knife, and was tased by 5-year sheriff’s department veteran Riley Kampsen. Yanacheak required life-saving measures and was taken to the Willmar Hospital where he died. The BCA says a knife was recovered at the scene, and the incident was captured on body cameras worn by Kampsen and the Willmar police officers. The BCA adds once they complete the investigation, they will present their findings without recommendation to the Kandiyohi County Attorney’s Office for review.
>>Regent expects more than one finalist for U-of-M president this time around
(Minneapolis, MN) — Regent Mary Davenport says she anticipates there will be more than one finalist for University of Minnesota president when the Board of Regents one week from tomorrow (Fri 2/9) decides which of four recommended candidates move into the public vetting process. University officials faced criticism in 2018 when Joan Gabel was the only finalist for University president, but Davenport says in 2024 “this is… one of the top jobs out there…. It’s very desirable and I don’t anticipate having just one [finalist].” Finalists’ names become public after the Board of Regents votes February 9th. Public forums follow at the University’s five campuses, then private interviews. Davenport expects a final decision by late February, with a July 1st target start date for the U-of-M’s next president.
>>MN Joins Nationwide Effort to Protect Abortion Access
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz announced today (WED) he’s joining governors from across the country in an effort to safeguard abortion access. It comes as the Supreme Court considers banning Mifepristone, a medication prescribed for medication abortions and miscarriage management. Walz warns a ban would “undermine Minnesota’s ability to provide adequate healthcare services” and describes the case as “a grave threat to reproductive healthcare.”
>>Rep. Craig Urges Biden Admin to Restore Global Supply Chains in Red Sea
(Washington, D.C.) — Representative Angie Craig is urging the Biden Administration to address disruptions to global supply chains in the Red Sea and Suez Canal amid attacks by Houthi (WHO-thee) rebels. Nearly 20% of all container shipping traverses these areas, but recent pirating attacks have led to major delays. Craig and her bipartisan co-chairs say “The recent attacks by Houthi rebels on commercial ships have forced major ocean carriers to divert routes through the Red Sea, circumventing the Suez Canal and instead sailing around the Cape of Good Hope”, the southern tip of Africa.
>>Boy Fatally Struck by Metro Transit Bus in Brooklyn Park
(Brooklyn Park, MN) — Police in Brooklyn Park say a boy is dead after he was struck by a Metro Transit bus this morning (Wed) on County Road 81. Officers say it appears the boy was standing in the highway when he was hit. He died at the scene and the driver stopped and is said to be cooperating. No further information is being released at this time.
>>NBA Fines Wolves Guard Edwards $40K for Criticizing Referees
(Minneapolis, MN) — Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards is being fined 40 thousand dollars for publicly criticizing referees. The N-B-A handed down the fine today (Wed) after Edwards complained that several fouls were not called in Monday’s 107-101 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. At least one replay appears to show his arm getting grabbed by a defender as he attempted a dunk. Edwards said during the Timberwolves’ T-V postgame, “I’m going to take the fine, because the refs did not give us no calls tonight.”
