>>Moorhead Teen Referred for Charges After Fentanyl Seizure at Middle School
(Moorhead, MN) – A 13-year-old boy has been referred for juvenile charges after police say he brought 15 hundred fentanyl pills to Horizon Middle School in Moorhead last month. Police say another student alerted the school resource officer on December 11th, leading to a swift response with no disruption to the school day. The teen was taken into custody without incident and is being held at the Clay County Juvenile Detention Center for first-degree possession of a controlled substance. Investigators are still determining how he got the pills and whether any were distributed. Police estimate the street value of the drugs at more than 35 thousand dollars. Since the incident, Moorhead Police have partnered with the school district to begin random K-9 searches in all school buildings.
>>U.S. Citizen Arrested, Detained, Given No Charges Speaks Out
(St. Paul, MN) – A U.S. citizen born and raised in Saint Paul is detailing how she was unjustly arrested by ICE last week and detained for two days. 23-year-old Nasra Ahmed says she was arrested with multiple other people, and that agents used “a lot of force. I was screaming and crying, I was so scared.” She says she was given a concussion due to her treatment. After her release, there are no pending charges against Ahmed.
>>Democrats, Republicans React to Day of Truth and Freedom
(St. Paul, MN) – A group of Democrats has now joined labor, healthcare, and education groups endorsing Friday’s no work, no school, and no shopping economic pause to protest ICE operations in Minnesota. It’s called a Day of Truth and Freedom. Representative Maria Isa Perez-Vega of St. Paul says they are calling for a non-violent, powerful message that says “we will not be silent, our response is collective, moral, and rooted in dignity.” Republican Representative Isaac Schultz of Elmdale Township says if Minnesotans want to protest, they should do it legally, citing “possible abuses of state law in using earned sick and safe time…to, in essence, protest.” A Day of Freedom includes a rally and march in Minneapolis.
>>BP Chief Bovino Defends Immigration Officer Actions in Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) – U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino is defending the actions of federal immigration officers in Minnesota. Bovino says their operations are lawful and focused on individuals who pose a serious threat to the community. He says that officers have been “violently and aggressively assaulted, objects have been thrown, and vehicles damaged.” But despite that, his officers “remain professional, focused, courteous, and committed to the mission.” Bovino called ICE protesters “anarchists.” Many witness videos appear to show ICE and other federal officers detaining and roughing up protesters and U-S citizens.
>>U.S. House Passes Resolution Approval of Future Mining in the BWCA
(Undated) – The U.S. House of Representatives today voted 214 (Republicans) to 208 (Democrats) on a resolution to lift a 20-year ban on mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The resolution introduced by Republican Representative Pete Stauber overturns a federal order signed in January 2023 that blocks copper mining on federal lands in Cook, Lake, and St. Louis counties. Stauber says it “sacrificed thousands of good-paying union jobs,” “billions of dollars of revenue for our schools,” and “our nation’s mineral security.” Democratic Congresswoman Kelly Morrison opposed the move, saying copper sulfide mining is the most toxic industry in America and is particularly ill-suited to water-rich environments because it acidifies the water and leaches heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and mercury into the waterway. The vote now goes to the Republican-led Senate for a vote.
>>Sen. Utke Announces Re-election Campaign
(St. Paul, MN) – Republican Senator Paul Utke announced he will seek a fourth term in the Minnesota legislature. Utke represents Senate District 5, which includes Hubbard, Becker, Cass, and Wadena Counties. In his campaign announcement, Utke said that with fraud, the budget deficit, and rising healthcare costs, there is very important work to still accomplish at the state legislature. Utke was first elected in 2016.
>>Dakota County Manufacturer Fined $15K for Air Permit Violations
(Northfield, MN) – A Dakota County manufacturing facility has paid more than $15,000 in fines for air permit violations. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) says Sheldahl Flexible Technologies submitted incorrect permit applications and installed or modified three pieces of industrial mixing equipment without MPCA approval during a 2025 project review. The agency says making equipment changes without updating a permit can increase the risk of releasing air pollutants. Sheldahl has since submitted an updated equipment inventory, outlined plans to maintain that inventory going forward, and agreed to seek permit amendments before modifying equipment in the future. The MPCA says the case is now resolved following corrective actions.
>>Border Patrol Lists ROAM Check-In Sites for Snowmobile Season
(International Falls, MN) – U-S Border Patrol is reminding snowmobilers to use designated ROAM check‑in locations when entering America along remote stretches of the northern border. The Report Offsite Arrival Mobile system is commonly used in the International Falls area during the winter months, where traditional Ports of Entry are limited. Terminals are available at multiple Rainy Lake locations, the Voyageurs National Park Visitor Center, AshKaNam Resort, and Crane Lake establishments. Former terminals on Kabetogama Lake have been removed, and snowmobilers must report at one of the listed sites. Mobile check‑ins are allowed only when standing at a terminal location. Border Patrol warns that failing to report a crossing can lead to fines, criminal charges, or vehicle seizure.
>>Blizzard Warning Issued for South Central, Southwest Minnesota
(Mankato, MN) – Parts of south central and southwestern Minnesota are under a blizzard warning until 7 tonight. MnDOT reports light snow and strong winds have reduced visibility, creating hazardous road conditions. There’s a winter weather advisory for the Twin Cities area and central Minnesota. Extreme cold warnings and advisories go into effect Thursday for most of the state with subzero temperatures on the way.
>>Minnesota State Marks 1st Year of Partnership Offering Free Google Career Certifications
(Undated) – Minnesota State has wrapped up the first year of a partnership with Google, giving students at nine participating colleges and universities the chance to earn Google Career Certificates at no cost. Associate Vice Chancellor Jesse Mason says removing the financial barrier allows more students, including those working part-time, to gain credentials that can help them earn a living wage. Mason says the program helps students build valuable skills that make them more competitive in the workforce. The free certificates provide training in high-demand fields such as cybersecurity, data analytics, and IT support.
