>>Gov. Walz Responds to Prosecutor Resignations
(St. Paul, MN) – Governor Tim Walz is calling the resignation of six prosecutors from Minnesota’s U.S. Attorney’s Office a “huge loss,” including former acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson. Walz says Thompson spent more than a decade pursuing justice for Minnesotans and calls the departures “the latest sign President Trump is pushing nonpartisan career professionals out of the Department of Justice.” Thompson worked closely with state regulators and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension on fraud cases involving public programs and led federal prosecutions in high-profile violent crimes, including charges tied to the murders of Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and the attempted murders of Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. Walz says Minnesota will continue efforts to detect fraud and ensure accountability, regardless of who leads the office.
>>Minnesota DHS Files Appeal Over Federal Withholding of Medicaid Funding
(St. Paul, MN) – The state of Minnesota is at risk of losing more than two billion dollars in annual Medicaid funding. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) say they’re withholding the money, saying the Minnesota Department of Human Services has failed to take action to fight fraud. Department of Human Services (DHS) Temporary Commissioner Shireen Gandhi says they have taken the necessary steps, and this decision will be devastating to the state. Gandhi said, “Minnesota can not absorb the loss of more than two billion dollars in annual funding for these programs without catastrophic consequences for the people we serve.” The state has filed an appeal. DHS says a hearing must be scheduled with the federal agency so they can argue their case on behalf of the state.
>>Infant Death in Champlin Believed to be Murder-Suicide Attempt
(Champlin, MN) – Police in Champlin say they believe the death of an infant Friday was a murder-suicide attempt. The baby was found not breathing and died in the hospital. Officers located an adult in “medical distress” at the scene, and they were hospitalized. Police say they interviewed the surviving adult, processed the evidence, and submitted the case for second-degree murder charges. The suspect will be booked in jail after getting out of the hospital.
>>Family Fighting ICE Detention Of Medically Fragile Man
(Undated) – A Minnesota family is fighting to keep their loved one out of an ICE detention facility, saying his health could be at serious risk. Hani Duglof came to Minnesota from Libya seeking treatment for a rare skin condition called epidermolysis bullosa, a disease that makes the skin extremely fragile. But now, Duglof is in federal custody after being detained by ICE last weekend. His attorney says Duglof entered the U.S. legally, but his asylum request has been in limbo for more than a decade due to federal delays. Family members fear his condition will worsen if he’s transferred to a detention center in El Paso, Texas. They’re pushing for a bond so Duglof can return to his home in Woodbury and continue medical care while his immigration status is resolved. ICE has not commented on the case. The family says time is critical for Duglof’s health.
>>St. Cloud Mayor Questions Lack of Information from ICE to Local Leaders, Law Enforcement
(St. Cloud, MN) – St. Cloud Mayor Jake Anderson read a brief prepared statement regarding the presence of federal ICE agents in the community during last night’s city council meeting. He says he doesn’t question the federal government’s authority regarding immigration, but “the lack of information provided by ICE to local leaders and law enforcement.” He says this is just one contributing factor in creating trust issues between ICE and the community. Anderson is asking that, at a bare minimum, the city be given more information from federal authorities on actions occurring within the city. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem announced hundreds more ICE agents will be coming to Minnesota.
>>Luverne Sen. Weber Won’t Run for Re-Election
(St. Paul, MN) – State Senator Bill Weber says he will not run for reelection this year. The Luverne Republican was first elected in 2012 and has served 14 years in the Senate, holding leadership roles on tax, agriculture, and water committees. Weber says his decision comes after three decades in public office and a promise to serve eight to ten years. He cites growing political division but calls his time representing southwest Minnesota “a distinct and special honor.” Weber’s legislative work includes securing water system funding and authoring the Natural Gas Innovation Act.
>>MN DNR Taking Comments on Proposed Statewide Walleye Limit
(St. Paul, MN) – The DNR’s (Department of Natural Resources) plan to reduce the statewide walleye limit from six to four is gaining support among anglers. Regional fisheries manager Brian Nerbonne says survey results report the least interest in keeping the limit at six, and most for moving down to four. Nerbonne says they’ve been talking about this walleye proposal for eight years, and the goal is to proactively protect our walleye population. The public can submit comments about the proposed walleye limit on the DNR website. If approved, the new rules would go into effect in March of 2027.
>>Small Business Owner Applauds New Paid Leave Program
(Undated) – Minnesota employees will soon have the first Paid Leave benefits checks in hand, as checks started rolling out Monday. Small business owner Kevin Brown says this new program is finally helping him compete for employees with larger companies, explaining that people “don’t have to make decisions of where to work just based on benefits.” Brown says he has lost potential employees in the past simply because the larger companies in town could offer better benefits. The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) says the average check is around $1,150.
>>Duluth Police Arrest Man After Jewelry Store Robbery
(Duluth, MN) – A 24-year-old man is in custody after a robbery in Duluth this morning. Duluth Police say Jaquay Hassell stole a watch from Security Jewelers around 9:50 a.m. and claimed he had a gun before fleeing on foot. Officers, with help from K9 Fitz, tracked Hassell to the fourth floor of a parking ramp and arrested him. No firearm was found. Hassell is being held at the St. Louis County Jail on pending charges of aggravated robbery and obstruction.
>>MDH Urges Radon Testing During Home Sales
(St. Paul, MN) – January is Radon Action Month, and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is urging homeowners and buyers to test for radon, a colorless, odorless gas found in about 40% of Minnesota homes. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, killing more than 21,000 people nationwide each year. MDH says radon testing during home sales has rebounded after a decline, giving buyers a chance to negotiate mitigation systems before closing. Officials recommend testing every two to five years and installing mitigation if levels reach 4.0 picocuries per liter or higher. Low-cost test kits are available through local health agencies and at mn.radon.com.
>>MDA Announces 4 Products in Weekly Recalls
(St. Paul, MN) – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) announced four products are included in its weekly recall. Spring and Mulberry is voluntarily recalling lot #025255 of its Mint Leaf Date Sweetened Chocolate Bar due to possible Salmonella contamination. Diva Fam Inc. is voluntarily recalling all lots and flavors of Sea Moss Gel Superfood due to a lack of required authorization and temperature monitoring for pH-controlled food products. VH Foods Inc. is recalling its 8-ounce packages of “Bread Crumbs” distributed between November 24th and December 1st due to possible undeclared egg and milk. HerbsForever LLC is recalling 45 units each of “Hingwastik Churna” and “Gastro Care” dietary supplements due to possible undeclared wheat. The expiry dates include January, April, and June of 2029.
