>>Spring rains help water levels significantly
(Chanhassen, MN) — Spring rains have significantly improved water levels in Minnesota lakes and rivers. Craig Schmidt with the National Weather Service in Chanhassen says, “Given the fact that our soils were so dry, we’ve been in a drought for quite some time going into the spring. A lot of that rain has gotten absorbed into the soils. It’s also helped replenish our wetlands and helped lakes come back up and that sort of thing. So it hasn’t really hasn’t caused major river issues at all.” Schmidt says that if it rains too hard for a short time, we could see very brief urban or small-stream flooding.
>>Hopkins High School Students, Community Rallies After Attack on Transgender Student
(Hopkins, MN) — Students and LGBTQ+ support groups rallied outside Hopkins High School today (WED) after an attack on a transgender student that is being investigated as a possible hate crime. Family members say 17-year-old Cobalt Sovereign, who uses she/they pronouns, was first called a homophobic slur before being attacked outside a bathroom last Thursday. Sovereign’s dad says she’s in the hospital recovering from several breaks to her jaw and fractured teeth. School officials released a statement saying the attack has yet to be deemed a hate crime and Hopkins Public Schools is an inclusive community that values diversity and inclusion. There’s no information on the identity of the attacker or if any disciplinary action has been taken.
>>E-Bike Rebate Certificate Online Application Postponed Due to Technical Issues
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesotans looking to apply for an e-Bike Rebate Certificate today (WED) will have to wait because the online application is experiencing technical issues, forcing officials to postpone the launch. The state Revenue Department is apologizing for the inconvenience and says they will update potential applicants as soon as possible. The e-bike bill legislation states rebates will be doled out first come, first served and are worth 50 to 75 percent off, with a maximum discount of $1,500, all depending on the person’s income.
>>Walz announces $2.5M funding to law enforcement agencies to help train new officers
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz announced today (Wed) two-and-a-half million dollars in state funding to help 35 police and sheriff’s departments across Minnesota train 50 new candidates for law enforcement. Fifty thousand dollars is available to each candidate for salary and what officials call intensive and comprehensive training at Alexandria Technical and Community College or Hennepin Technical College beginning this fall. State Representative Paul Novotny from Elk River says it’s a “good start,” but notes there are about two-thousand unfilled positions across Minnesota and “a lot of retirements are coming, so all hands on deck.” Governor Walz says, “We cannot keep our communities safe without trained, licensed officers.” Officials say law enforcement agencies are accepting applications and some have already filled their sponsorships.
Agencies awarded grants include:
1. Belle Plaine Police
2. Big Stone County Sheriff
3. Blaine Police
4. Bloomington Police
5. Brooklyn Park Police
6. Carver County Sheriff
7. Chisago County Sheriff
8. Columbia Heights Police
9. Faribault Police
10. Freeborn County Sheriff
11. Hennepin County Sheriff
12. Hopkins Police
13. Lakeville Police
14. Lino Lakes Police
15. Maple Grove Police
16. Medina Police
17. Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Police
18. Minneapolis Police
19. Minneapolis-St. Paul Int’l Airport Police
20. Moorhead Police
21. New Brighton Police
22. Orono Police
23. Owatonna Police
24. Prairie Island Indian Community Police
25. Richfield Police
26. Rosemount Police
27. Roseville Police
28. Sartell Police
29. St. Louis Park Police
30. St. Paul Police
31. Wadena Police
32. Waseca County Sheriff
33. West Hennepin Public Safety
34. Woodbury Public Safety
35. Wyoming Police
>>Lt. Gov. Flanagan spotlights teacher training
(Undated) — Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan joined other leaders today (Wed) to highlight three teacher training grant programs, noting that in the next decade there will be over 18-thousand job openings for elementary school teachers and more than 14-thousand for middle- and high school teachers. Flanagan says the programs are not only helping to grow the state’s teacher workforce pipeline: “They also are playing a key role in diversifying our teacher workforce, ensuring that we have high-quality teachers in all regions of the state, and helping to cultivate new teachers in hard-to-fill subjects.” Flanagan says student loan repayment assistance is also available. Flanagan says applications for all three programs opened this week and she encourages aspiring teachers to apply today.
>>MN BCA Searching for Vulnerable Missing Adult
(Credit River, MN) — The Minnesota BCA is asking for the public’s help in finding a missing vulnerable person. 19-year-old Jamie Olson left her Scott County residence with her cat and a change of clothes around 11:40 p.m. Tuesday. She has multiple diagnosed medical conditions. Olson is white, 5-2, 99 pounds, with freshly dyed black hair and brown eyes. She’s known to change her hair color often and does not have a vehicle. Anyone with information is asked to call 911.
>>MN BCA Searches for Stolen Motorcycles, Tools
(Isanti County, MN) — The Minnesota BCA is asking for the public’s help in finding multiple stolen motorcycles and equipment from a garage burglary. Stolen motorcycles include a Gold/Brown 1974 Yamaha 360 Enduro, a Gold/Brown 1972 Kawasaki 175 Enduro, a Blue 1980 Yamaha IT 250 Enduro, and a Red 1972 Honda 175 Scrambler. Also missing are 200 feet of 6/4 cord extension for a camper and multiple Snap-on/Craftsman tools with the name Alann Peterson engraved. Anyone with information is asked to call the Isanti Police Department.
>>MN Zoo Welcomes 2 California Sea Lions
(Apple Valley, MN) — The Minnesota Zoo has welcomed two California sea lion pups, Hudson and Flynn. The male pups, who will be one year old this month, arrived from SeaWorld San Antonio and are now settled comfortably in the Zoo’s Discovery Bay. California sea lions are known for their playfulness, intelligence, and loud vocalizations that sound similar to barking dogs. A group of adult male California sea lions will join Hudson and Flynn later this year.
