>>Judge Blocks Pres. Trump’s Federal Funding Freeze, MN Officials Response to Freeze

(Undated) — A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s freeze on federal funding, pausing the freeze until Monday. His administration says the pause, which would have begun today, would allow reviews of its spending, so it matches Trump’s recent executive orders. Governor Tim Walz, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Minnesota Management Budget (MMB) Commissioner Erin Campbell visited a YMCA and their child program to respond to the freeze. Walz stated plainly, “Donald Trump’s reckless action cut off funding to law enforcement, farmers, schools, childcare, veterans, and healthcare. While he was out golfing, he threw the country into crisis. This is not bold; it’s not leadership; it’s stupid, buffoonish, childish, is exactly what they did.” Multiple national and state leaders have already spoken out condemning the pause as residents express panic.

>>Former UW Chancellor Sues to Get Job Back

(La Crosse, WI) — A former University of Wisconsin-La Crosse chancellor is suing to get his teaching job back. Joe Gow was fired as chancellor in 2023 after the university learned that he and his wife made online pornographic videos. The suit argues Gow’s free speech rights under the U.S. Constitution were violated when UW Regents also terminated his professorship this past September. The lawsuit seeks to reinstate Gow’s teaching position at the school and have him receive compensation for lost wages and other damages. A UW spokesperson declined to comment on the suit, saying the system doesn’t comment on pending litigation.

 

>>Sen. Miller Hopes “MN Sports Betting Act 3.0” Passes the 2025 Legislature

(St. Paul, MN) — After years of coming close, will this be the year that a sports gambling bill passes the Minnesota legislature? Opponents have blocked it in the past, saying sports betting would bring more gambling addiction, domestic violence, and family bankruptcies to the state. Author, Senator Jeremy Miller from Winona, says he’s “sympathetic to those who are maybe addicted to gambling or need extra help. So that is why we have extra funding in this proposal to provide gambling support and services.” Under his plan called “The Minnesota Sports Betting Act 3.0,” 2.5% of the revenue would be spent on gambling addiction programs. Tribes in Minnesota would hold the licenses for on-site gambling. Miller believes his plan would set aside about $80 million in tax revenue for the state.

 

>>AG Ellison, SJM “Sham Nonprofit” Reach Settlement

(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota nonprofit SJM Properties will close after settling a lawsuit with Attorney General Keith Ellison. The case claimed SJM founder and president Steven Meldahl ran a “sham nonprofit” that violated multiple state charity laws. SJM was founded in 2008 to “provide clean, safe, remodeled, and affordable housing for low- to moderate-income families.” Ellison had previously sued SJM in 2019 for violating tenants’ rights. A court found Meldahl guilty of violating the rights of 267 low-income families, a judge noting some of the living conditions on his properties were of “biblical plague proportions.” He had to reimburse the AGO $1 million in legal fees.

 

>>MN Yacht Club Announces 2025 Lineup 

(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Yacht Club Festival’s 2025 lineup is here. The three-day music festival at Harriet Island will feature 25 artists performing on July 18th-20th. Big names include Hozier, Fall Out Boy, Weezer, Remi Wolf, Green Day, and 311. Ticket presales begin Thursday at 10 a.m., with prices ranging from $150 to $2,300.

 

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