>>Falcon Heights Woman Gone Missing
(St. Anthony, MN) – St. Anthony police are searching for a missing 43-year-old woman. Nickole Shetka was last seen leaving her temporary Falcon Heights home on foot on Sunday. She’s described as white, five feet one inch tall, 150 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes. Shetka was last seen wearing a blue sweatshirt with unknown-colored sweatpants.
>>Murder Charge Filed in Deadly Wolverton Shooting
(Wolverton, MN) – A Wolverton man is charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter after a New Year’s Day shooting. Deputies found 22-year-old Jorden Boehm dead from a gunshot wound to the neck. Witnesses say 26-year-old Myron Johanson had been waving a gun at a party and pointed it at several people. Before the shooting, Johanson allegedly put the gun under Boehm’s chin and asked if he trusted him. The gun fired. Johanson later called 911 and is now in the Wilkin County Jail.
>>Cuban National Charged with Assaulting Federal Officers
(Minneapolis, MN) – A Cuban citizen is facing federal charges after allegedly assaulting ICE officers during an attempted arrest in St. Paul. Prosecutors say 54-year-old Juan Carlos Rodriguez Romero accelerated his car toward agents twice on December 21st, striking one officer before crashing into parked vehicles. When officers apprehended him, Rodriguez allegedly bit another agent’s hand, drawing blood. Two officers were hospitalized with injuries. Rodriguez is charged with two counts of assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon and one count of assault. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
>>Police Investigating Two Burglaries in Swanville
(Swanville, MN) – The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office is investigating two burglaries that occurred early Sunday morning. Deputies say they responded around 1:45 a.m. to a burglar alarm at Swanville Produce. When they arrived, they discovered the business had been broken into, along with St. Peter Lutheran Church. According to authorities, the suspect forced entry into Swanville Produce by prying open an interior door. The church was also entered, and several offices were rummaged through. It’s unclear at this time what, if anything, was taken. The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who noticed unusual activity in the area during that time to contact them and review any security camera footage for suspicious behavior.
>>Continued MN DFL, GOP Leaders’ Reactions, Claims to Gov. Walz’s Dropout of 2026 Gov. Race
(St. Paul, MN) – Minnesota leaders continue to issue statements, reactions, and claims to Governor Tim Walz’s announcement today that he will not seek reelection in the 2026 race. Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan says, “From his days as a teacher to his years as governor, Tim Walz has led with decency, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to Minnesotans. His decision today reflects the values he has always lived by, putting people first.” Flanagan confirmed she will not run for governor and remains focused on her campaign for the U.S. Senate. U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) says, “In the face of unprecedented, coordinated attacks on Minnesota by President Trump and his administration, the Governor is once again choosing the right path. I’m deeply grateful for his service and proud to stand with him.” Republican Senator Torrey Westrom of Alexandria (R-Alexandria) claims Walz is stepping aside after “Minnesota’s fraud scandals have become too hot to ignore. Under his watch, billions of taxpayer dollars were lost through the Walz-DFL fraud pipeline. From the ‘Feeding Our Future’ scheme to the Somali day care and autism fraud scandals, Minnesota has made national headlines for all the wrong reasons.” The Minnesota House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee, run by Republican candidate for Governor, Representative Kristin Robbins, says Walz ignored whistleblowers and audits.
>>MMA Warns CDC Vaccine Changes Could Confuse Families
(St. Paul, MN) – The Minnesota Medical Association (MMA) is raising concerns after the CDC revised its childhood vaccine schedule for the first time in decades. The changes reduce universal recommendations from 18 to 11 vaccines and move others—like flu, rotavirus, and meningococcal shots—to “shared decision-making” or high-risk categories. Federal officials say the overhaul aligns the U.S. with other nations and aims to rebuild trust in public health, but the MMA calls the move confusing and warns it could undermine confidence in vaccines proven safe and effective. Minnesota law still requires evidence-based immunizations for child care and school. The MMA urges parents to consult their physicians about the critical role vaccines play in preventing serious illness and protecting vulnerable communities.
>>Paid Leave Program Sees Slight Slowdown in Applications Over Weekend
(St. Paul, MN) – Minnesota’s new Paid Leave Program saw a slowdown in applications over the weekend. Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Deputy Commissioner Evan Rowe says this was expected, but “we’re generally seeing what we would more or less expect to see. Friday was a busy day in the contact center.” He reminds that an application submitted does not mean the claims are approved. The program saw about 3,800 applications over the weekend, bringing the total so far to 15,734.
>>MN Adds Compliance Checks at Child Care Centers
(St. Paul, MN) – Minnesota is stepping up oversight of child care centers that receive Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) funding. The Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) says its Office of Inspector General will begin unannounced site visits with help from Bureau of Criminal Apprehension agents. Officials say the move aims to protect taxpayer dollars and prevent fraud while ensuring safety for children and staff. The checks come as some centers report threats and unauthorized visits from citizens. CCAP helps 12,000 working families afford care for 23,000 children each month. DCYF says it remains committed to fact-based reviews that stop fraud and support families.
>>MN Recovery Org. Explains Dry January, Benefits
(Undated) – It’s Dry January, meaning those who participate go the entire month without drinking alcohol or using substances. CEO of Minnesota-based EOSIS Recovery, Lew Zeidner, says this is a good practice for everyone, as “we drink if we’re having a bad day, a good day, and if we’re doing social activities.” Zeidner says it’s key to find other ways to stay social without using a substance, like ordering a mocktail instead of alcohol when going to an event at a bar. Dry January may produce multiple benefits, such as weight loss, improved sleep, better mood and clarity, money saved, and time for self-reflection.
