>>Cesar Chavez Day Elimination Bill Heads to Gov. Walz
(St. Paul, MN) – Cesar Chavez Day will be eliminated by law before the March 31st commemoration. The bill passed the Senate unanimously today after passing the House unanimously on Monday. It now heads to the desk of Governor Tim Walz, who has already said he would sign it into law. The bill was fast-tracked after recent allegations of sexual abuse of women and girls during Chavez’s time leading the United Farm Workers. The City of St. Paul is also working to remove Chavez’s name from a street sign and a middle school, Academia Cesar Chavez.
>>One-Time $9M Grant to Housing Providers Passes Senate, Goes to Gov. Walz
(St. Paul, MN) – Minnesota housing providers could each see a piece of the nine-million-dollar pie that the Legislature is granting. The Senate passed a bill today, 39-28, that will benefit grantees of U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs. Many supportive housing providers have seen their contracts expire, or they will by the end of the year, after the federal government’s cuts to HUD in the “Big Beautiful Bill.” There was bipartisan support for the bill, but only Republicans voted against it. It now goes to Governor Tim Walz for law approval. The bill passed the House 103-31 earlier this month, on March 12th.
>>Senate Leader Murphy Says Progress on Some Gun Bills
(St. Paul, MN) – Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy says some progress is being made on the gun violence prevention bills at the Capitol. Murphy says the four leaders talked over dinner last night, finding common ground on issues involving gun violence and ICE enforcement. She says she doesn’t expect Republicans to vote on the assault ban or high-capacity magazines. Murphy stresses that it’s important that after next week’s break, these bills move through committees and come to the Senate and House floors for a vote.
>>Nudification Technology Ban Heading to House Floor
(St. Paul, MN) – Minnesotans could soon have extra protection from tech companies that allow ordinary photos to be turned into sexual images. DFL Representative Jessica Hanson of Burnsville authored the bill to prohibit access to nudification technology. She says the misuse of technology has “empowered and enabled pedophiles and sexual predators to increasingly profit while causing more harm.” Jessica Guistolise was one of 80 victims of a man who allegedly posted these types of pictures online. She says police told her they couldn’t do anything about it, but “the damage to me personally has been lasting.” The bill heads to the House floor for possible debate and a vote.
>>St. Cloud Man Charged After Violent Porta‑Potty Attack
(St. Cloud, MN) – A 27‑year‑old man faces felony assault and auto theft charges after allegedly attacking a stranger outside a porta‑potty in St. Cloud. Officers were called to the Stearns History Museum around 7:15 a.m. They found a man bleeding heavily with his left eye swollen shut and no memory of what had happened. The victim stopped his truck to use the bathroom around 6:15. Video from the truck shows the suspect, Nykolas D’Heilly, opening the porta‑potty door and punching the victim. D’Heilly punched and kicked the man until he was unconscious. The victim suffered a brain bleed, broken nose, and shattered eye socket and remains hospitalized. Police say D’Heilly admitted to the assault and also confessed to stealing a running car afterward.
>>Tax Filing Season Less Than Three Weeks Away
(Undated) – The deadline to file your state and federal income taxes is just less than three weeks away. State Revenue Commissioner Paul Marquart is urging Minnesotans to file electronically as it’s “the most secure” and “quickest way to get a refund back.” He also suggests choosing direct deposit. So far, the MDR reports 1.6 million returns filed, but 3.1 million are expected. Marquart says refunds are being processed in about nine days total. The deadline to file state and federal taxes is Wednesday, April 15th.
>>Public Visitation Set for Sports Reporter Jessi Pierce and Her Children
(White Bear Lake, MN) – There will be a public visitation on Sunday for Minnesota Wild reporter Jessi Pierce and her three children. The four died early Saturday morning in their White Bear Lake home. Pierce covered the Minnesota Wild for the NHL and co‑hosted the Bardown Beauties hockey podcast. The GoFundMe for Pierce’s husband, Mike Hinrichs, has raised over $200,000. Authorities say there is no indication the fire was intentional. The visitation is scheduled for 1-5 p.m. at Mueller Memorial in White Bear Lake.
>>Foligno Brothers Playing Together on Minnesota Wild for First Time
(Sunrise, FL) – Brothers Marcus and Nick Foligno will play together for the first time tonight at 6 p.m. as Minnesota Wild teammates. Marcus returns from a lower-body injury tonight in Florida and has not been on the ice with Nick since he was traded from Chicago to Minnesota. Marcus says it will be the first time they have been teammates since sixth grade. The Wild look to rebound from Tuesday’s 6-3 loss at Tampa Bay.
