>>Stearns County Man Charged with Murder for Fatal OD
(St. Cloud, MN) — A Stearns County man faces murder charges for providing the drugs a man fatally overdosed on. On November 17th, 31-year-old Cody Johannes of Holdingford sold a man methamphetamine and fentanyl. The victim’s body was found in an apartment bedroom two days later during a welfare check. An autopsy showed fentanyl, xylazine, and meth were in his system. Text messages from the victim’s phone allegedly show messages with Johannes, discussing drug sales. Johannes is due in court on February 6th.
>>MN House DFL, GOP Still at Odds, DFL Announces Priorities
(St. Paul, MN) – The Minnesota State Capitol is heading into the holiday weekend with Democrats and Republicans still at odds in the House. Today House DFL leader Melissa Hortman says negotiations have continued through the week, but there’s no movement closer to securing a power-sharing agreement. Hortman says it’s “clear to me that Representative Demuth wanted to fight. So sometimes when you want to negotiate and somebody else wants to fight, you’re left with fighting, and we’re going to fight, and we’re going to win.” While Hortman says she is confident there will be an agreement soon between the two sides, Democrats rolled out their priorities today at the news conference. Besides a new budget, they include clean drinking water, health care costs, housing, and the Equal Rights Amendment.
>>Albert Lea Man Found Guilty of Multiple Possession Charges
(Albert, MN) — An Albert Lea man has been found guilty of a long list of charges. 48-year-old Adam Pennhollow was charged last July with felony counts of fleeing police, drug possession, possessing an explosive device, and possessing a firearm suppressor. He also faces lesser charges of DWI, possessing ammunition/firearms, and driving after revocation. He’s scheduled to be sentenced in late March.
>>No Vehicle Traffic on Sleepy Eye Lake in Brown County Due to Unsafe Ice
(Sleepy Eye, MN) — Authorities in Brown County are warning of open water and unsafe ice conditions on Sleepy Eye Lake. The sheriff’s office is restricting all vehicle traffic on the lake effective this afternoon (FRI). The list includes cars, trucks, ATVs, and snowmobiles. Deputies say they will monitor the ice and allow vehicles back on the lake when conditions improve. Frigid cold is expected across the lake Sunday through Tuesday.
>>MNSure Sees Record Enrollment Numbers for 2025
(Undated) – MNsure officials say a record number of Minnesotans purchased health plans through the state’s insurance marketplace. CEO Libby Caulum says, “We hit just over 167 thousand residents who successfully signed up for a private insurance plan through MNsure. That is actually a 14% increase over last year’s numbers, and that was also a record.” Caulum says 61 percent of households are receiving tax credits through MNsure to help pay their health insurance premiums.
>>MN Authorities Arrest 2,907 Over Holiday Season for DWI
(Undated) — Minnesota officials made 2,907 arrests for intoxicated driving during the holiday season. From November 27th to December 31st, extra law enforcement was on patrol, funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
>>Proctor Middle School Teacher Wins Prestigious MN Award
(Proctor, MN) — A Proctor Middle School teacher has snagged the title of Minnesota’s Middle School Principal of the Year. Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) says John Awsumb was recognized for his leadership and dedication to making school an inclusive and positive environment. Awsumb has been in his position for three years. He’ll now be in the running for National Middle Principal of the Year.
