>>Vice President Vance Calls for Stronger Cooperation Between Local and Federal Authorities
(Minneapolis, MN) — Vice President J.D. Vance is calling for stronger cooperation between local officials and federal authorities as Immigration and Customs Enforcement carries out its Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota. Speaking in Minneapolis today, Vance said ICE agents prefer coordination over confrontation and want to avoid using tear gas or other less‑than‑lethal munitions. He said better communication could reduce tense encounters during enforcement actions. “What I do think that we can do is, working with state and local officials, we can make the worst moments of chaos much less common, and all they’ve got to do is meet us halfway,” Vance said. “These guys want to communicate. They want to talk to the local business leaders.” Police officials in Mankato and St. Cloud say they were not notified before ICE agents conducted operations in their communities. Vance said he did not speak with Governor Tim Walz or Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey during his visit, but noted that the issue drew people with opposing views on immigration to a local roundtable discussion.
>>DFL Leaders Respond to V.P. Vance’s Visit to Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) — State Democrats are responding to Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Minneapolis, criticizing what they describe as a lack of transparency and inclusion. DFL House Leader Jamie Long of Minneapolis says Democrats were not invited to participate in the visit, which included a roundtable discussion with local leaders and community members. Long called the visit “performative,” accusing the administration of using Minnesota for political purposes rather than addressing public safety concerns. The vice president is in Minnesota as part of a rotating series of state visits.
>>Klobuchar Files Paperwork for Governor Campaign
(Washington, D.C.) – Multiple reports say U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar has filed the paperwork necessary that could lead to a campaign for Minnesota governor. This is usually the first step before a candidate announces a run for the office. This comes as precinct caucuses are scheduled for February 3, and weeks after Governor Tim Walz announced he would not seek a third term. Klobuchar is a high-ranking Democrat in the Senate and has held her seat since 2007. There are currently 12 Republicans in the race for Governor. They include House Speaker Lisa Demuth, Dr. Scott Jensen, businessman Kendall Qualls, My Pillow founder Mike Lindell, and state Representative Kristin Robbins.
>>DHS Data Breach
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Department of Health and Human Services is notifying Minnesotans following a data breach involving one of its computer systems. State officials say they were alerted in November to a breach involving the MnCHOICES program, a statewide system used by counties, Tribal Nations, and managed care organizations to assess long-term care and support needs. Certified assessors use the web-based program to determine eligibility for services and programs. According to the Department of Human Services website, the breach occurred when a provider-associated user accessed data belonging to about 300,000 individuals within the system. The vendor, FEI Systems, notified the state of the unauthorized access. The user involved no longer has access to the system. A forensic investigation determined the information was not misused. Minnesotans affected by the breach will receive a letter from DHS informing them of the incident and advising them to review their medical statements carefully for any suspicious activity.
>>Renee Good Private Autopsy Report Findings
(Minneapolis, MN) — The law firm representing the family of Renee Good has released the findings of a private autopsy. The report shows the 37-year-old mother, who was killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis earlier this month, was shot three times and grazed by a fourth bullet. According to a representative for Romanucci and Blandin, the autopsy was conducted by a “highly respected and credentialed medical pathologist.” Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have both condemned the actions of Jonathan Ross, the ICE agent who shot and killed Good.
>>Probation For Minnesota Man Whose Social Media Use Factored In Deadly Crash
(Winona, MN) — A Rochester area man accused of causing a deadly crash in 2021 while using Snapchat on his cellphone has been sentenced to probation. Twenty-three-year-old Eric Wittlief was sentenced in Winona County District Court. His passenger, 58-year-old Christ Brown of Stockton, died from blunt-force injuries sustained in the crash. As part of a plea agreement, Wittlief pleaded guilty to reckless driving and careless driving. He was also ordered to complete 40 hours of community service.
