>>Democrats Call Out Republicans Over Failed Votes on Guns
(St. Paul, MN) – Tensions are rising at the State Capitol after Democrats tried to advance three bills on the House floor: bans on assault rifles and high-capacity magazines, and require ICE agents to have a judicial warrant before entering schools. All three failed due to the tied House. House DFL Caucus Leader Zack Stephenson asked Republicans point-blank, “Are you with the gun lobby or are you with kids? Are you with ICE or are you with kids?” The votes on all three bills were along party lines. MNN got this statement from Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth: “After telling numerous incredibly moving stories about what students experienced during the Annunciation tragedy, Democrats still voted against including nonpublic schools like Annunciation in the state’s school safety funding program.”
>>Gov. Walz Signs Bill Allowing Out-of-State Testing of Hemp Edibles to Continue
(St. Paul, MN) – A bill signed into law today by Governor Tim Walz will allow out-of-state testing of low-dose hemp edibles to continue through next May. March 31st was the deadline to require in-state testing only, and this extends it for more than a year. The move is expected to relieve pressure on the supply chain created by limited capacity at the state’s three testing facilities. Senate author Lindsey Port of Burnsville said the local testing of hemp, adult-use, and medical cannabis was delaying medical products for patients.
>>GOP Representative Engen Arrested for DWI in White Bear Lake
(White Bear Lake, MN) – A Republican lawmaker and candidate for state auditor is accused of driving drunk early this morning in White Bear Lake. Police say 27-year-old Representative Elliot Engen was arrested for suspicion of driving impaired around 1:50 a.m. The report says Engen was stopped for speeding, expired registration, and an inoperable headlight. Officers say a breath test indicated his blood alcohol concentration was .13. Engen was booked in the Ramsey County jail pending a fourth-degree DWI charge and released.
>>Fire Destroys Cass Lake Sawmill Storage Building
(Cass Lake, MN) – Authorities in northern Minnesota are investigating a fire that destroyed the Timberlyne Wood Products kiln drying and storage facility in Cass Lake. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a large fire Thursday night near Highway 371. Deputies found the large building engulfed in flames. Crews from Cass Lake, Bemidji, Walker, and the Minnesota DNR worked through the night to contain and put out the fire. The structure and its contents are reported to be a total loss. No one was hurt in the fire.
>>MSU-Mankato and UMD Men’s Hockey Open NCAA Tournament
(Undated) – The Minnesota State-Mankato and Minnesota-Duluth men’s hockey teams open NCAA Tournament play today. WMU beat Mankato 2-1 in double overtime in last year’s tournament. The Bulldogs face Penn State tonight in Albany, New York. UMD made the tourney for the first time since 2022.
>>Wolves Guard Anthony Edwards Cleared for Basketball Activities
(Minneapolis, MN) – The Minnesota Timberwolves say All-Star guard Anthony Edwards has been cleared for on-court basketball activities. Edwards has missed five games with a knee injury. No word on his availability for Saturday’s home game against the Pistons. Ant is averaging 29.5 points, five rebounds, and nearly four assists per game this season.
