>>Columbia Heights Police Search for 16-Year-Old Missing Since October
(Columbia Heights, MN) — Columbia Heights Police are asking the public for help finding a missing teen. 16-year-old Christofer Guanolema was last seen in late October (2024). Christofer is described as white, 140 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He has no known vehicles or cell phones and has told extended family about possibly being in New York. Christofer’s family in Minnesota is worried for his welfare and hasn’t heard from him since October.
>>Man Dies, 2 Injured in Crash Near Hastings
(Hastings, MN) — A Burnsville man is dead and two others were injured in a crash near Hastings yesterday. State Patrol responded around 4 p.m. in Marshan Township, where an eastbound car collided with a southbound vehicle. 38-year-old Ali Rahmani died from his injuries, and his passenger, a 29-year-old man from Burnsville, was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. The other driver, a 42-year-old Cannon Falls woman, was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
>>DPD Investigates Stabbing
(Duluth, MN) — Duluth police are investigating a stabbing. Officers responded to a local area around 12:22 p.m. Thursday, finding a person with a stab wound. The victim was brought to a hospital where their current condition is unknown. Police say all involved people were detained and there is no threat to the public.
>>Secretary of State Simon Tells GOP House Leaders 68 Members Needed for Quorum
(St. Paul, MN) — Secretary of State Steve Simon says the state constitution requires a majority of 68 members for a quorum in the Minnesota House. Simon’s office says, “This determination was made after extensive research, analysis, and consultation with nonpartisan experts.” The GOP will have a 67-66 advantage in the House at least until a special election in District 40-B in the Roseville area. Simon met with House Republican leaders Wednesday to discuss his legal requirements in convening the opening session. His office said, “He made clear his willingness to re-evaluate his position if provided with new information.”
>>Governor Walz Makes Endorsement For DNC Chair
(Minneapolis, MN) — Governor Tim Walz is endorsing Ken Martin, the chair of the Minnesota Democratic Party, to lead the Democratic National Committee (DNC). In a statement, Walz praised Martin, saying, “Ken has built a national model for how to elect Democrats in Minnesota.” He emphasized that Martin is exactly what the party needs in its next chair. Martin has indicated that he requires over a hundred endorsements for his candidacy, with Walz’s endorsement being the most prominent so far.
>>Pres. Biden Delivers Eulogy at Carter’s State Funeral
President Biden says his friendship with former President Jimmy Carter taught him about strength of character. He said Carter was a president who redefined the relationship with the Vice President, forming “a model partnership, collaboration, and trust, because both were men of character.” Biden says Carter also established a model post-presidency “by making a powerful difference as a private citizen in America. And I might add, as you all know, around the world. Through it all, he showed us all how character and faith start with ourselves and then flow to others.” Today, the president delivered the eulogy at Carter’s state funeral in Washington, D.C.
>>Minnesota Group Opposing National Transgender Sports Ban
(Minneapolis, MN) — A Minnesota-based LGBTQ+ advocacy group is working to block a new bill regarding transgender sports. The recently sworn-in U.S. House of Representatives is seeking to fast-track a law that amends Title IX to exclude transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. OutFront Minnesota is raising concerns, stating that this measure will cause “real harm” to transgender students. While the bill’s sponsors argue that it addresses the need to prevent men from taking sports records from women, opponents contend that it unfairly targets a very small number of transgender athletes who simply want to participate.
>>Lt. Gov. Flanagan Promotes Farming at Community College in Austin
(Austin, MN) – Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan is in Austin looking at the future of farming in Minnesota today at Riverland Community College. She says programs like this provide the state a future in the industry, and she hopes current middle and high school student programs are “planting those seeds so that folks see that staying on their family farm or going into farming is an option for them.” Flanagan says farming is giving these young people not only a career but a chance to give back to their communities.
>>Hennepin County Judge Orders MyPillow Founder to Pay HBL $778K
(Minneapolis, MN) — A judge in Minnesota has ordered MyPillow founder Mike Lindell to pay several hundred thousand dollars to DHL delivery service. Hennepin County Judge Susan Burke issued this ruling after Lindell failed to pay $550,000 to the company in October. Last year, DHL sued MyPillow and Lindell over unpaid parcel service bills totaling nearly $800,000. This case is one of several lawsuits that Lindell is currently facing, including at least two related to claims of election fraud.
>>Local Groups Raise $45K to Begin Redwood Falls Police K9 Program
(Redwood Falls, MN) – The Redwood Falls Police Department is preparing for its first K9 officers after a local group raised $45,000 to get the program started. Chief Jason Cotner says the grassroots group PROTECT began last summer (2024). He says despite being dedicated to first responder agencies, “they had learned one of the things we had been trying to get for several years was a K9 program…and they took that on as their first project.” Cotner says now that the money is in place, the next step is to get the designated officer to the 12-week training course, which begins in mid-March.
