>>Human Rights Report Released Claiming Abuses During Federal Operation Metro Surge
(Minneapolis) – Several human rights groups have released a 180-page report detailing violations against Minnesotans by federal agents during Operation Metro Surge. According to the group spearheading the report, Human Rights Watch, “Nearly 90 percent of 532 cases resolved between December, and mid-May resulted in orders for release showing clearly that many of these arrests were blatantly unjustified.” The report called “A Manufactured Crisis, Minnesota Communities Terrorized by the Federal Government” includes personal accounts of abuse, excessive force, and racial profiling. The report was released during a news conference at the University of Minnesota Law School.
>>New Poll Shows Lindell Leading GOP Gubernatorial Race
(Minneapolis) – A new independent poll shows MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell ahead in the Republican primary for governor. The poll taken by KSTP/Survey USA shows Lindell getting 27% of the vote followed by House Speaker Lisa Demuth with 22% and businessman Kendall Qualls in third with 17%. Qualls won the GOP endorsement at the Republican state convention recently in Duluth. Lindell did well with men and voters under the age of 50, while women were split between Lindell and Demuth. 24% of the Republican voters are still undecided. Senator Amy Klobuchar is running on the DFL side for governor.
>>Minnesota Job Growth Outpaces Nation in May
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota’s unemployment rate edged down to 4.4% in May as the state’s job market continued to rebound. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development reports employers added a net 5,400 jobs during the month, including 5,900 new private-sector positions that were partially offset by losses in government employment. DEED Deputy Commissioner Kevin McKinnon says Minnesota has now posted job growth for a second straight month after a sluggish start to the year, with gains outpacing the national rate. The largest increases came in the construction and leisure and hospitality sectors. Over the past year, Minnesota has gained nearly 19,700 payroll jobs.
>>Litchfield Man Injured in Work Accident
(Harvey Township, MN) — A Litchfield man suffered a severe injury in a workplace accident Wednesday morning in Meeker County. Sheriff’s deputies were called around 10:30 a.m. to an egg production facility in Harvey Township after receiving a report of a worker injured by machinery. Authorities say 62-year-old Michael Redepenning became accidentally caught in a machine, resulting in a severed lower leg. Emergency responders stabilized him at the scene before he was taken to Meeker Memorial Hospital in Litchfield and later airlifted to North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale. The incident remains under investigation.
>>Rochester Schools Add Islamic Holiday of Eid al-Adha to School Calendar
(Rochester, MN) – The Minnesota Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) is welcoming the decision by Rochester Public Schools to add the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha (EED-al-ODD-ha) to its academic calendar for next year. CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein said, ” Students of every faith should have the right to observe their religious holidays without being penalized for it.”
>>State Fair, Livestock Group Announce Scholarship Opportunities
(Falcon Heights, MN) — Minnesota students involved in agriculture and 4-H programs have two scholarship opportunities available this summer. The Minnesota State Fair will award up to 22 scholarships worth $1,000 each to rural students and those enrolled in agricultural programs, along with two $2,000 scholarships for people pursuing skilled trades. Applications are due July 15. The Minnesota Livestock Breeders’ Association, working with Minnesota 4-H, will award at least $72,500 in scholarships to 4-H members pursuing college degrees. Applications for those awards are due August 1. Combined, the two programs have awarded more than $1.5 million to Minnesota students over the years.
>>DNR expanding Junior Ranger Activity Book program
(Undated) – The Minnesota DNR is helping kids get outside with its growing Junior Ranger program. Launched in 2023, the program features activity books designed to get young Minnesotans exploring nature through puzzles, games, and hands-on learning. There are now two versions available, one for kids ages 6 and up, and a newer book geared toward ages 9 and up. Families can pick up the books at most state parks and recreation areas, and kids who complete them can earn an official Junior Ranger patch. More information is available on the DNR website.
