>>Young Boy Dies from Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound
(Otter Tail County, MN) — A young child is dead after accidentally shooting himself in the head in Wadena. On December 29th, Otter Tail County deputies responded to a report of a three-and-a-half-year-old boy who suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The child was brought to a hospital, where he later died. Deputies are not pursuing charges. Investigators say the residence had childproof safety mechanisms, including secured doors and cabinets, and the child was not allowed in the room without supervision. However, a door with a childproof lock was left partially ajar, allowing the boy to enter. The gun was in a closed drawer.
>>Man Sentenced to Over 7 Years for Sexually Assaulting Girls
(Duluth, MN) — A St. Louis County man has been sentenced to over seven years in prison for sexually assaulting two minors. 50-year-old Clint Massie of Grand Lake Township pleaded guilty to assaulting young girls between 2008 and 2009. He will get credit for 52 days served. Massie must also be registered as a predatory offender for life.
>>Two Harbors Man Gets 30 Years for Repeated Sexual Assault of Child
(Duluth, MN) — A Two Harbors man is sentenced to 30 years in state prison for the repeated sexual assault of a child between 2015 and 2019. 45-year-old Michael Bailey was convicted on four counts of criminal sexual conduct by a St. Louis County jury last month. Bailey also pleaded guilty in 2020 to first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a different victim. Prosecutors the victims from the two cases are siblings. Bailey is facing additional criminal sexual conduct charges as well as perjury and a probation violation related to the 2020 conviction.
>>Dual Citizen Charged with Conspiracy to Smuggle Millions
(Minneapolis, MN) — An indictment unsealed Thursday charges 67-year-old Mohammad Aziz (a.k.a. Jawaid Siddiqui, Jay Siddiqui) of Pakistan and Canada with violating and conspiring to violate U.S. export laws. Aziz was arrested on March 21st in Washington while attempting to cross into Canada. Officials say from 2003 through March 2019, Aziz used his Canada-based company Diversified Technology Services to bring sensitive and restricted items from the U.S. to Pakistan. Azizi did this on behalf of prohibited Pakistan entities associated with nuclear, missile, and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programs. He remains detained, pending transfer to Minnesota.
>>Kasson Officer Bit by Dog While Breaking Up Fight
(Kasson, MN) — A Kasson police officer is one of three people brought to a hospital after a fight Thursday night. Police responded to a report of a fight involving four people in Kasson around 11:15. One of the responding officers was bitten in the calf by a dog on the scene. He and two men involved in the fight, the suspect and victim, were brought to a local hospital, treated, and released. Police say the fight began at suspect 32-year-old Randy Marin’s Kasson home, where he hit the victim with frying pans. Marin is charged with second-degree assault.
>>Date Set for Governor’s State of the State Address
(St. Paul, MN) – We now know when Governor Tim Walz will give his State of the State Address to Minnesota. It will be held on Wednesday, April 23, in front of a joint session of the Minnesota State Legislature. The address will begin at 7 p.m. and will be delivered from the State Capitol House Chamber.
>>Senate DFL Announces Budget Targets
(St. Paul, MN) — Senate DFL leadership has announced their targets for coming up with a balanced budget. The plan includes cuts to Health and Human Services over the next four years and to education by the end of the decade. Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy says they remain committed to families, children, and seniors while preparing for any cuts coming from the Trump Administration. Republican Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson says, “These targets seem to align with Governor Walz’s plan to cut services for disabilities and special education, which is the wrong way to balance the budget.” Monday marks seven weeks until the end of the session.
>>Government Workers Push Back On Governor Walz’s Return-To-Office Mandate
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota lawmakers and union members are expressing strong opposition to Governor Tim Walz’s plan requiring thousands of state employees to return to the office. The governor issued a memo earlier this week notifying government workers that, starting June 1st, at least half of their shifts will need to be in person. State Representative Luke Frederick from Mankato stated that workers are upset and are threatening to quit. Minnesota Association of Public Employees President Megan Dayton mentioned that union members were caught off guard by Walz’s directive. The unions plan to utilize the appeal process outlined in their collective bargaining agreements.
