>>Catch-and-release on Mille Lacs this spring and early summer
(Onamia, MN) — Mille Lacs Lake walleye fishing will be catch-and-release this spring and early summer. The DNR and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe have set a catch-and-release fishing season from May 11th through August 15th — with a goal to begin on August 16th allowing one walleye between 21-23 inches or one over 28 inches. Despite poor ice conditions, anglers caught a lot of walleye this past fall and winter because those fish weren’t finding enough to eat. Officials determined a more conservative bag limit was necessary at the start of the season to ensure the long-term health of the Mille Lacs fishery.
>>MN House approves school resource officer use-of-force compromise, likely final vote in Senate tomorrow
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota House today (Wed) on a strong bipartisan vote (124-to-8) approved a compromise negotiated with the Senate to “fix” the brand-new law on use-of-force by school-based resource officers. There’s a vote in the Senate tomorrow and it’s expected the bill will pass. Senate negotiators ended up dropping a provision that would have allowed use-of-force to protect school property from damage. Governor Tim Walz says, “I just want to get a compromise on this. I hear where they’re coming from and… can’t stress enough, the good faith effort on everyone involved. I think it built up a lot of good will, to be candid.” The compromise bill keeps the limitation on use of chokeholds that applies to all peace officers in Minnesota. It also requires a statewide standard of basic training for school resource officers.
>>”MinnesotaCare option for all” bill moving ahead in MN House but Walz says not the year for it
(St. Paul, MN) — A bill that would allow any Minnesotan, regardless of income, to purchase health insurance through state-subsidized MinnesotaCare is moving forward in the Democrat-controlled Minnesota House. Megan Paul told lawmakers she’s been chronically ill her whole life and before her work situation changed, she qualified for MinnesotaCare. “It was the best health insurance I’ve ever received,” Paul says. “My chronic conditions were able to be well-managed, because I could access the care that I needed, which kept me out of the hospital.” But Dan Endreson with the Minnesota Council of Health Plans says MinnesotaCare doesn’t pay providers enough to cover costs, and suggests a private market platinum-level plan, open to anyone, with state subsidies that “can help move people out of the Bronze level that shouldn’t be there.” Governor Tim Walz said today (Wed) “having these discussions is important… but… this is not a budget year.”
>>Man Killed in Becker County Garage Fire
(Becker County, MN) — A man is dead after being severely injured in a garage fire Tuesday afternoon in Becker County. The male victim had been pulled out by a neighbor and family members before first responders arrived. He was airlifted to the Hennepin County Medical Center where he later died.
>>Fond du Lac Police Search for Missing Man
(Cloquet, MN) — Fond du Lac Police are asking for the public’s help finding a missing man. 31-year-old Peter Martin was last seen at his Fond du Lac Reservation home near Mahnomen. Martin is described as Native American, 5-10, 185 pounds, with long black hair and dark brown eyes. He has a small scar on his forehead and multiple tattoos on his arms, shoulders, and chest. Anyone with information is asked to call 911.
>>Rochester Police Search for Missing Woman
(Rochester, MN) — The Rochester Police Department is asking for the public’s help finding a missing woman. 34-year-old Alice Dobmeier was last seen leaving her Rochester home between 5:30 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. on March 3rd. Her phone last pinged around 5 p.m. March 4th near Menards South in Rochester. Dobmeier is described as white, 5-9, 160 pounds with long brown hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing her hair in two braids, with glasses and a maroon shirt with a picture of Texas on it. Family and friends have been unable to contact her since her disappearance, which they say is unlike her.
>>Rochester Man Arrested for Producing, Possessing Child Pornography
(Rochester, MN) — A Rochester man faces several charges after a search warrant of his home turned up child pornography. Rochester Police arrested 27-year-old Kevyn Heath Monday after an Internet Crimes Against Children tip. Heath faces seven charges including a first-degree criminal sex crime involving a minor under age 13, as well charges of producing and possessing child porn.
>>Bill introduced to streamline state permitting process of clean energy facilities
(St. Paul, MN) — State lawmakers and several clean energy companies unveiled proposed legislation today (Wed) that they say would eliminate roadblocks in the permitting process for clean energy facilities. House Majority Leader Jamie Long of Minneapolis says the state’s pace of growth in solar and wind energy generation must double if Minnesota wants to achieve 100% clean energy by 2040 — but Long says the current permit process is lengthy and complicated, meaning new projects aren’t being built and others aren’t able to get their full power to market. Long says average time from application acceptance to permit issuance currently ranges from 250 to 673 days. Long says the bill would establish clear timelines for every part of the review and application acceptance process.
>>Gov. Walz Joins SEIU MN&IA Lobby Day
(Minneapolis, MN) — Governor Tim Walz joined union members from SEIU Minnesota and Iowa today (WED) for their 2024 Lobby Day. SEIU Lobby Day brings union workers from across the state together to address their legislative priorities for the year. On SEIU’s 2024 docket: Unemployment Insurance (UI) for workers striking for two weeks or more, a MinnesotaCare public option, an Education Support Professionals (ESP) Bill of Rights, and health care for airport workers.
