>>Boelter Still Faces State Charges
(Minneapolis) – The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office will move forward with state charges filed against Vance Boelter (belter) for the June 2025 political assassination of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark, and their dog Gilbert. The charges include the shootings of Senator John Hoffman and his wife. Boelter has pleaded guilty to federal charges, but the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office says that does not resolve or change the status of any state charges. Those include first-degree premeditated murder of the Hortmans. The office says a guilty verdict on either murder charge will require a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, and state sentences are not affected by presidential pardons.
>>Thousands of Minnesota Care Providers Cut Off From Payments
(St. Paul, MN) — More problems are surfacing at the Minnesota Department of Human Services, and at least one lawmaker says legitimate providers are paying the price. Republican Representative Natalie Zeleznikar of Fredenberg Township says DHS missed a key deadline while trying to root out fraud, leaving roughly 3,300 providers unable to receive payment for services they continue to provide. Zeleznikar says many of those affected have worked with the state for decades and shouldn’t be treated like fraudsters. She warns the disruption is already affecting access to care, including medical transportation services in northeastern Minnesota, and is calling on Governor Tim Walz to step in and address what she describes as a statewide crisis.
Vance Seeks DOJ Fraud Probe Of Walz, Ellison
(Washington, DC) — Vice President JD Vance is asking the Justice Department to investigate Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison over alleged fraud in Minnesota’s social service programs. The referral comes after a Republican-led House Oversight Committee report accused state leaders of failing to stop widespread fraud involving federal funds and retaliating against whistleblowers. Walz and Ellison strongly deny the allegations, calling them politically motivated. The Justice Department has previously launched separate investigations involving the Walz administration tied to immigration enforcement and Medicaid oversight.
>>1993 Minnesota Lake Victim Identified
(St. Paul, MN) — Authorities are releasing the identity of human remains found more than three decades ago in separate Minnesota lakes. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office says Denise Hartly was 27 years old when she went missing from St. Paul in 1993. A human head was found near Bone Lake in Scandia 33 years ago. A day later, a human foot was recovered from Pig’s Eye Lake in St. Paul. Hartley was recently identified with the use of DNA technology. No one is in custody.
>>Lights Temporarily Turned off on Mississippi River Bridges
(Rochester, MN) — Drivers crossing several Mississippi River bridges in southeast Minnesota may notice things are a little darker than usual. MnDOT is temporarily turning off overhead lights on the Highway 63 bridge in Red Wing, the Highway 60 bridge in Wabasha, and the Highway 43 bridge in Winona to reduce the impact of annual mayfly hatches. The insects are attracted to light and can swarm bridge surfaces, creating slippery and potentially hazardous driving conditions. The lights will remain off until the hatch subsides, which can last for several weeks. Motorists are urged to slow down and stay alert when crossing the bridges.
>>Campfire Restrictions to Be Lifted Friday in BWCAW
(Ely, MN) — Campfires will once again be allowed in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The Superior National Forest says the fire restrictions put in place earlier this month will be lifted effective tomorrow(Fri). Forest Supervisor Drew Stroberg signed the order terminating the emergency restrictions as recent conditions have improved. Visitors are still being urged to monitor weather conditions and use caution with any campfires to help prevent new wildfires. Officials also remind campers to fully extinguish fires before leaving them unattended.
>>Concessions Strike Planned for Target Field
(Minneapolis) – Food and Beverage workers employed by Delaware North at Target Field have announced a one-day strike set for June 22nd. This will be the worker’s first strike at the ballpark. Nearly 500 cooks, bartenders, suite and stand attendants, cashiers, and dishwashers will walk out. These workers say they want access to health insurance and higher wages. They say many of them make minimum wage. Workers are calling on fans who attend the June 22nd game against the Los Angeles Dodgers to not buy concessions and bring their own food. 81 percent of the workers voted in favor of the strike.
