>>Lexington Homicide Victims Identified
(Lexington, MN) – Authorities have identified the two people killed in Wednesday’s double homicide in Lexington as 44-year-old Jennifer Marsaw and her five-year-old son, Marzai Dawson, both of Lexington. Anoka County investigators say Marsaw’s estranged partner, 53-year-old Van Marsaw of Minneapolis, has been released from the hospital and is now in custody, awaiting formal charges. The case remains under investigation; no additional information is being released at this time.
>>Paid Leave Program Off to a Strong Start
(St. Paul, MN) – Minnesota’s Paid Leave program is off to a strong start. New numbers from the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) show nearly 34,000 Minnesotans have already been approved for leave since the program launched. DEED says the system is moving quickly: two-thirds of applications are being approved or denied within three weeks, and nearly 50,000 total applications have been processed so far. Commissioner Matt Varilek says the program is “working according to plan,” delivered on time and under budget. He says Paid Leave is providing timely payments and strong oversight, helping Minnesotans be there for the moments that matter while strengthening the state as a place to live, work, and raise a family.
>>Sen. Hoffman Testifies on Two Bills for Safety
(St. Paul, MN) – Following the political attacks last June 14th, Senator John Hoffman (D-Champlin) testified for two of his bills in the Judiciary Committee. Hoffman has proposed tougher penalties for individuals impersonating a peace officer and requiring the removal of any police equipment and insignias on emergency vehicles sold to the public. When he answers the door now, Hoffman says, seeing “a real officer at your door, I’ll never forget that moment…I start crying.” Both bills passed the Judiciary Committee and are moving forward in the Senate.
>>MN Educators Desire Dedicated Statewide Insurance Pool
(St. Paul, MN) – Educators spoke at the Capitol on Wednesday, demanding a structural fix to the health insurance crisis teachers face in Minnesota. Amanda Kottke, a science teacher in the Glencoe-Silver Lake school district, says her son got sick a year ago. After two “lethargic” days and a gut feeling that he needed to be seen, she and her husband decided they couldn’t afford the $250 urgent care visit, and hoped the illness would pass. She says, “After 10 long, terrifying days at Children’s Hospital, with several complications from a ruptured appendix, we were asked to pay our $10,000 deductible upfront.” Legislation in the House and Senate offers a solution by creating a statewide insurance pool for M-N educators, which some other states already have.
>>Man with Warrants Arrested in Hermantown Carrying Ghost Gun
(Hermantown, MN) – A Hermantown Police officer arrested a 20-year-old man on Wednesday after spotting him entering a local store and confirming he was wanted on active warrants. Police say the man resisted arrest and tried to flee, but officers quickly took him into custody. During a search, they found an individually manufactured handgun with no serial number, commonly known as a ghost gun. In addition to the outstanding warrants, the man now faces charges for illegally carrying a handgun and resisting arrest.
>>Pedestrian Hit by Car Near Fergus Falls
(Fergus Falls, MN) – One person was taken to the hospital after being struck by a vehicle south of Fergus Falls on Wednesday afternoon. According to the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office, the driver called authorities just before 4 p.m. Deputies say the vehicle was traveling south at about 45 mph when a pedestrian attempted to cross the highway. The vehicle crossed the center line and hit the pedestrian with the front passenger side. The pedestrian was brought ot the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
>>Boundary Waters Tops List of America’s Most Endangered Public Lands
(Undated) – A new special report, America’s Most Endangered Public Lands 2026, names the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness as the most at-risk wilderness in the nation. The investigation was published by REPUBLIC in collaboration with Outside Magazine and written by National Geographic Explorer Stephanie Pearson. She warns that America’s 640 million acres of public lands are “under siege.” Despite its pristine one-million-acre boreal forest and status as the most visited wilderness area in the U.S., the Boundary Waters faces unprecedented pressure as federal leaders advance efforts to open its watershed to sulfide, copper ore mining, one of the nation’s most toxic industries. Conservation groups say the push threatens vital habitat, cultural homelands, and 20 percent of all freshwater in the U.S. National Forest system.
>>Fire Destroys St. Charles Motel
(St. Charles, MN) – A fire badly damaged a St. Charles motel Wednesday night in Winona County. Police say the blaze was reported just after 8 p.m. at the Whitewater Valley Motel. According to police, a guest lost power in his room, stepped outside, and saw heavy smoke coming from the roof. He alerted a motel employee, who then called 911. The first arriving police officer began evacuating guests and the owners. Fire crews located the flames in the attic and determined the fire had already spread through much of the building. Investigators believe an electrical malfunction inside a wall sparked the blaze. Roughly 70% of the motel was destroyed, but no injuries were reported.
>>Traffic Violation Text Scam Circulating
(Willmar, MN) – The Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office is warning area residents about fake traffic violation notices circulating this week. According to the department, people are receiving text messages referencing supposed violations in Hennepin County and demanding short-notice court appearances. Deputies say courts do not send notices through text, making these messages fraudulent. Authorities urge anyone who receives a suspicious notice, especially if you haven’t been to that jurisdiction, to look up the court’s official phone number on your own and call to verify. While you may spend a few minutes on hold, deputies say that’s far better than risking a scam, losing money, or sharing personal information.
>>Gopher Women Hosting NCAA Tournament this Weekend
(Undated) – Minneapolis is preparing to host first- and second-round NCAA Tournament games in women’s basketball this weekend. The Golden Gophers host Green Bay in an opening-round game tomorrow at Williams Arena. Gopher senior Sophie Hart of Farmington says everyone thinks of hockey for Minnesota, “but I think we’re a basketball state, specifically a women’s basketball state.” The Gophers are 24-8 this season. They tip off at 5 p.m. at The Barn tomorrow. Tickets are remaining.
