>>Lt. Governor Flanagan to Speak at No Kings 3.0
(St. Paul, MN) – Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan is set to headline next week’s (3/28) No Kings Rally 3.0 at the Minnesota State Capitol. Organizers expect a significant turnout and say additional speakers and performers are planned, including state officials, national activists like Jane Fonda, and musicians. This follows weeks of community protests, vigils, memorials, rallies, and support drives opposing Operation Metro Surge and other federal immigration actions in the state. Organizers say the program will include marches beginning at noon from several locations in St. Paul, with the main event at the Capitol at 2 p.m.
>>Bill Naming State Park in Honor of the Hortmans Passes House Committee
(St. Paul, MN) – A bill advancing in the Minnesota House would establish the Melissa and Mark Hortman Memorial State Park. Leading the effort is Representative Peter Fischer (D-Maplewood), who says putting in memory “the significance Mark they contributed to our state” by creating a state park looked upon by the Capitol Complex would ease the grief felt after their assassination last year. He notes that the legislation would establish a working group to make specific plans for the state park. They would submit their recommendations to state lawmakers by February 1st, 2027.
>>Self-driving Vehicles Stopped in House Committee
(St. Paul, MN) – A handful of self-driving vehicles from Waymo, with a human driver, are being tested in the Twin Cities, but it appears this technology may hit the brakes. The House Transportation Committee voted to stop the bill this afternoon. Committee Co-Chair Jon Koznick (R- Lakeville) said, “Only in Minnesota would we mandate that a driver be required in a driverless vehicle.” Democratic Representative Brad Tabke (DFL-Shakopee) argued against saying more studies need to be done on autonomous vehicles. Tabke said, ” We just want to make sure we’re keeping Minnesotans safe. We want to make sure we’re not putting additional stress on our roadways.” A similar bill is being heard in Senate committee.
>>Motley Man Charged with Stabbing Relative
(Morrison County, MN) – A Motley man is charged in a stabbing that left a 53-year-old relative with life-threatening injuries. Prosecutors say 23-year-old Christian Denio stabbed the man multiple times Sunday inside a Scandia Valley Township home northwest of Little Falls. Morrison County Deputies later arrested Denio at a nearby gas station. He told investigators he’d been drinking and was angry about a past sexual assault allegation involving the victim. Denio faces first-and second-degree assault charges.
>>Hazing Incident Involving Rogers Basketball Team Under Investigation
(Rogers, MN) — Authorities in Douglas and Wilkin counties are investigating reports of hazing tied to the Rogers High School boys’ basketball program. The complaints were filed on March 2nd and center on incidents that allegedly happened on a bus transporting 9th and 10th-grade players to a game in Moorhead. According to the Star Tribune, parents involved say the fallout has been significant: six students have been expelled, and three junior-varsity coaches no longer hold their coaching roles, although they remain employed by the school. Some of the behavior under investigation has been described by parents as sexual in nature.
>>Feeding Our Future Fraud Cases Move Forward
(Minneapolis, MN) – There are new moves today in the federal Feeding Our Future fraud investigation. Two defendants entered guilty pleas, while a third chose to go to trial. Prosecutors say Shakur Abdinur Abdisalam admitted to wire fraud, and under his plea deal, the remaining charges will be dismissed at sentencing. He’s expected to face between 10 and 27 months in prison. Another defendant, Ikram Mohamed, also pleaded guilty to wire fraud. Her sentencing range is significantly higher, from roughly six years to more than ten years behind bars. But a third defendant, Gandi Yusuf Mohamed, rejected a plea agreement. He’s now among seven defendants scheduled for a jury trial next month.
>>No Injuries in Snowplow vs. Train Crash
(St. Louis County, MN) – A county snowplow and a train collided this afternoon in northern St. Louis County, but no one was hurt. The Sheriff’s Office says it happened just after noon at a railroad crossing about a mile north of Orr. A St. Louis County Public Works plow was clearing the crossing when the train clipped the plow blade. Both the train and the plow truck had only minor cosmetic damage. A Canadian National Railway representative inspected the train on scene and cleared it to continue on its route. The plow truck was also able to drive away.
>>Northshore Mining Fined for Wastewater Permit Violations
(Silver Bay, MN) – Northshore Mining in Silver Bay was fined $19,000 for repeated violations of its wastewater permit and Minnesota environmental rules. A Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) investigation found that from 2023 to 2025, Northshore Mining released recycled water to the ground seven times and water relating to mining processes four times. Its largest unpermitted release was nearly 400,000 gallons of recycled water. Northshore Mining reported that a small amount of recycled water may have reached the Beaver River. Northshore Mining has documented equipment failure as the reason for the 11 releases.
>>U of M and Gopher Men’s Hockey Coach Motzko Part Ways
(Minneapolis, MN) – Bob Motzko is out as men’s hockey coach at the University of Minnesota. A statement from Athletic Director Mark Coyle says the U of M and Motzko mutually parted ways. Motzko spent eight seasons with the Golden Gophers, but the team had its first losing season in 16 years and finished 11-22-3. He led Minnesota to back-to-back NCAA Frozen Fours in 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 and three Big Ten championships. Motzko’s departure comes one day after Gopher women’s coach Brad Frost was fired.
