>>House Speaker Accuses Democrats of Causing Delays
(St. Paul, MN) – It’s been slow at the Capitol as far as bills getting passed. On Wednesday, Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth accused Democrats of causing delays, especially when it comes to legislation like passing an Office of Inspector General (OIG) bill. She says Democrats are “either holding things up in committee” or just lacking urgency, “choosing a delay tactic on many, many things.” The OIG bill easily passed the Senate last year. It has stalled numerous times this session in committee meetings. House Democrats have not yet responded to this new accusation.
>>Vaccine Advisory Council Receives More Approval
(St. Paul, MN) – A proposal that would create a state Vaccine Advisory Council has cleared another committee hurdle in the Senate. The plan authored by DFL Senator Matt Klein would set up a science-based vaccine panel to keep Minnesotans informed about vaccines and insurance coverage. The bill would require state health insurance companies to still cover the costs of vaccines. Klein argued that many of the 1,000 measles cases in South Carolina could have been prevented with vaccinations. After passing two votes, the bill is now headed to the Health and Human Services Committee.
>>House Bill Would Name Highway 58 in Honor of Fallen Zumbrota Officer/Firefighter
(St. Paul, MN) – A bill passed by the House Transportation Committee would rename a stretch of Highway 58 in southeastern Minnesota after a fallen Zumbrota police officer/firefighter. Gary Schroeder, Senior, is the father of Officer Gary Schroeder, Junior, who died in April of 2023. He says naming this in his son’s honor would recognize both “his devoted service to the community and raise awareness about PTSD among first responders.” Schroder Senior says Gary served 18 years with the Zumbrota Police Department, three years with Grand Meadow, and the Alden PD. He volunteered as a Zumbrota firefighter for nine years. The bill was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.
>>2 Snow Systems Expected to Move Through MN Today-Weekend
(St. Paul, MN) – Travel could be tricky across parts of Minnesota starting today through the weekend. Two separate snow systems are expected to move across the state starting today and into the weekend. MnDOT’s Anne Meyer encourages Minnesotans to check out the latest road conditions at 511mn.org or by calling 511 to get views of highway and snowplow cameras and learn about incidents or crashes statewide.
>>Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management Issues Consumer Advisory for Beezwax Brand Vapes and Prerolls
(St. Paul, MN) – Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management is issuing a consumer advisory for Beezwax brand vapes and hemp prerolls made by Kooka LLC. Regulators say the products are mislabeled and contain more THC than allowed, despite being marketed as “low dose” and claiming to have less than point-three percent THC. The advisory covers all Beezwax two-and-a-half gram disposable vapes and one-gram prerolls. They’ve been sold across Minnesota in cannabis shops, hemp and CBD retailers, tobacco stores, and possibly online. Officials warn the products pose a health risk, especially for people with existing medical conditions. A recall has also been issued. Anyone who becomes sick should contact their doctor or call Poison Control.
>>St. Paul Woman Charged with Defrauding Medicaid
(St. Paul, MN) – A Twin Cities home health care agency owner is accused of defrauding Medicaid out of more than six hundred thousand dollars. Prosecutors have charged 34-year-old Gertrude Mongare with six counts of theft by false representation. Investigators say that between March 2021 and August 2025, Mongare submitted fraudulent reimbursement claims through her St. Paul company, B&G Caring Angels. The claims listed companion care, night supervision, and homemaking services that authorities say were never actually provided. Prosecutors allege Mongare then transferred the money from the business into her personal bank account.
>>DNR’s FalconCam in LIVE
(St. Paul, MN) – The Minnesota DNR’s FalconCam is live for the 2026 nesting season, now with a sharper camera and sound. Viewers can watch peregrine falcons up close as they court, prepare their nest, and eventually lay eggs. The female is the same 14-year-old who has nested in downtown St. Paul since 2016, and eggs could appear soon. Last year’s first egg arrived on March 31st. Peregrines typically lay three to four eggs. The FalconCam supports education and ongoing conservation efforts that helped bring the species back from near extinction in the 1970s. Watch live at mndnr.gov/falconcam.
