>>Farmington Woman Seriously Injured in Squad Car Crash
(Farmington, MN) – A Farmington woman is hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after her car collided with a squad car Monday night. The State Patrol reports the Farmington Police SUV had its emergency lights and sirens activated when it hit a car driven by 72-year-old Aristea Kontinakis at an intersection. Kontinakis was taken to Regions Hospital for treatment. The report says 22-year-old Officer Ryan Goodreau suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Both drivers were buckled up.
>>Mapleton Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Stabbing Death of Father
(Mankato, MN) – A man from Mapleton in south central Minnesota will spend the rest of his life in prison for the June 2025 stabbing death of his father. Blue Earth County prosecutors say 48-year-old Troy Almhjeld was sentenced Monday for the first-degree murder of 71-year-old Lars Almhjeld. Sheriff’s deputies found the father covered in blood with stab and puncture wounds to his chest and significant head and facial injuries. Troy was arrested after crashing his father’s vehicle near a Mankato golf course and fleeing the scene.
>>Two People Rescued from Benson House Fire
(Benson, MN) – Fire crews rescued two people from a second‑story window during a house fire Sunday in Benson. Officials say a neighbor spotted smoke coming from a home around 10 p.m. and called 911. While waiting, neighbors and Benson police officer Noah Marrs used a ladder to try reaching the occupants, but couldn’t get them out. The Benson Fire Department safely removed the two residents, who were taken to Benson Hospital for evaluation. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating.
>>State Officials File Lawsuit Against Medicaid, Medicare for Withholding $250M in Funds
(St. Paul, MN) – Attorney General Keith Ellison has filed a lawsuit against the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for withholding more than $250 million in Medicaid funding from Minnesota over how the state has handled fraud. State Medicaid Director John Connolly says the governor’s legislative fraud package shows the state takes fraud seriously. They say key elements of Governor Tim Walz’s plan include: “Strengthening managed care oversight. Since [it] oversees approximately 80% of Minnesota’s Medicaid enrollees, the governor’s proposal enhances DHS oversight authority and increases review of paid claims to ensure accountability and compliance.” Over 1 million Minnesotans rely on Medicaid for their health insurance.
>>Bill Would Create Task Force Overseeing Driverless Vehicles
(St. Paul, MN) – Waymo, the self-driving cars, are being tested in Minneapolis with a human safety driver still in control. But one state Senator wants to pump the brakes. DFL Senator Erin Maye Quade of Apple Valley says they want to make sure the industry is regulated, looked at from economic, safety, and job perspectives, “and not something that’s being hoisted upon us like all of Big Tech is.” Maye Quade says the bill would create a task force to study public safety and how many jobs could be lost from the rideshare companies if Waymo permanently starts driverless services in Minnesota.
>>Bill Would Prohibit Some Pet Stores from Selling Dogs, Cats
(St. Paul, MN) – A bill aimed at protecting consumers when they buy their next family pet is moving on in committee. The bill would prohibit some pet stores from selling dogs and cats for fear that they could be raised in a puppy mill and be unhealthy at the time of purchase. DFL Senator Scott Dibble made his case for the bill, saying they want people who “are spending $1500-$5000 [want pets who are] actually are going to be healthy and stable and sound good members of the family.” Republican Senator Steve Green of Fosston questioned the testimony presented and said this may only affect a few smaller pet shops and “is a waste of time.” The bill does move on and will next be heard in the Judiciary Committee.
>>Former Duluth Officer Sues City, Claims Retaliation
(Duluth, MN) – A former Duluth police lieutenant says he was pushed out after reporting internal misconduct. David Drozdowski has filed a whistleblower lawsuit claiming leaders ignored use-of-force issues, troubling officer behavior in suicide cases, and racist and sexist remarks within the Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force. Drozdowski says after raising concerns in 2024, he was moved to patrol, put on leave in 2025, and ordered to undergo a fitness-for-duty exam. He refused and retired.
>>Dilworth, Glyndon, Felton Schools Safety Protocols Activated
(Glyndon, MN) – The Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton superintendent says safety protocols were briefly activated today while law enforcement handled an outside incident. Superintendent Shannon Hunstad says the district enacted a temporary “hallway closure” across all school buildings. Officers were stationed outside schools in both cities as a precaution. “There was no direct threat to our students, staff, or schools,” Hunstad said, adding it was out of an abundance of caution. Law enforcement has not said what the incident involved.
>>Anti‑War Groups Rally in Mpls to Demand End to Global Military Actions
(Minneapolis, MN) – Minnesota Anti‑War Committee, Women Against Military Madness, and the Solidarity Committee of the Americas are rallying in Minneapolis tonight at 5 p.m., calling for the U.S. to end military actions abroad. Organizers say this is part of an international day of action. In a statement, the Anti‑War Committee’s Nicholas Tolliver said, “The U.S. regime change war in Iran, and the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is directly connected to the war on Venezuela.” Another organizer, Sophie Breen, added, “We’re in this fight with our community for the long haul.”
>>New Study Shows MN Drivers Saved $24.7M in 2024 by Using E15
(Undated) – A new study from the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association found that M-N drivers saved $24.7 million in 2024 by choosing E15. Executive Director Brian Werner explains that E15 is cheaper because it has a higher ethanol content than traditional gasoline, “and that’s because ethanol, on a per-gallon basis, is cheaper than petroleum.” Werner says from 2013, when sales began, to 2024, E15 beat E10 prices. He adds that in 2024, “he last year that this study examined, the price gap between E10 and E15 reached its largest point with E15 priced up to 18 cents per gallon lower than E10.” Werner says E15 is an affordable path to have now after this weekend’s air strike on Iran. Analysts predict gasoline will soon top $3 a gallon for the first time this year.
>>MnDOT Announces Spring Weight Restrictions
(St. Paul, MN) – MnDOT announced it will end winter load increases and begin spring load restrictions in the Central frost zone on Friday. Spring load restrictions began earlier today in the South, Southeast, and Metro frost zones. MnDOT will continue issuing overweight permits for vehicles over 80,000 pounds GVW, provided all axle and group weight limits are still legal.
>>Wolves and Grizzlies at Target Center
(Minneapolis, MN) – The Minnesota Timberwolves shoot for their fourth win in a row tonight at 7 p.m. when they host the Memphis Grizzlies. The Wolves are coming off a 117-108 win over the Denver Nuggets on the road on Sunday. Anthony Edwards was just named Western Conference Player of the Week. Minnesota is in fourth place in the Western Conference at 38-23. The Wolves officially signed veteran forward Kyle Anderson on Monday, and “Slo Mo” is expected to be in uniform for tonight’s home game.
