>>MN’s Budget Forecast Worsens
(St. Paul, MN) – The budget forecast for Minnesota is even worse today than it was back in November. The surplus for 2026-27 is lower by $160 million to $456 million, and the deficit by the end of the decade has grown to $6 billion. The blame game is going around. Governor Walz blames “the federal-level storm that is Donald Trump” that has changed the numbers. Democratic Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy blames decisions by the Trump Administration, noting, “In the last 50 days, the stock market has tanked, and more than 170,000 Americans have lost their jobs.” Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth says the blame squarely falls on Minnesota Democrats, who “hit family budgets even harder with raising taxes and fees by another $10 billion to fund the spending spree we saw happen in the state of Minnesota under one-party Democratic control.” Republicans and Democrats did agree on one thing. They will have to come together to get a balanced budget by the end of the session on May 19th.
>>2 Missing Girl in St. Anthony Found Safe
(St. Anthony, MN) — Two girls who went missing yesterday in St. Anthony are safe. The MN BCA says the girls, ages 12 and 16, were last seen around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in Lauderdale. They were found safe today in Minneapolis.
>>Flu Hospitalizations and Deaths Declining in Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) — The latest numbers suggest flu activity continues to decline in Minnesota. The state Department of Health reported 227 flu-related hospitalizations last week—down from 343 the previous week. There were two flu outbreaks in Minnesota schools and three in long-term care facilities. Influenza is blamed for 14 more deaths, but that’s a significant drop from the 42 deaths two weeks ago. A total of 294 people have died in the state this flu season.
>>Sleep Number Names Former Head Of Blue Apron As President And CEO
(Minneapolis, MN) — A prominent bed and mattress company based in Minneapolis, Sleep Number, has appointed a new president and CEO, Linda Findley. Findley, who previously held a position at Blue Apron, will succeed the retiring Shelly Ibach. She is currently managing the transition of her former company following its sale in 2023. Findley will officially start her new role on April 7th.
>>Highs Gang Member Sentenced to 14 Years for Racketeering
(Minneapolis, MN) — A Minneapolis Highs gang member faces 14 years in prison for his role in a racketeering (RICO) conspiracy. Court documents say 35-year-old Deandre Poe, a.k.a., “Squizzy” or “Fat Squad,” was part of the High’s extensive fentanyl trafficking operation involving Arizona-based suppliers. Between November 2022 and March 2023, Poe made several round-trip flights from Minneapolis to Phoenix to mail at least four bulk parcels of fentanyl. He pleaded guilty to one count of RICO conspiracy on October 3rd, 2024.
>>Report: Rising Egg Prices Partially Due To Price Gouging
(Washington, D.C.) — A recent report indicates that rising egg prices are being driven by companies price-gouging consumers. According to data from the United States Department of Agriculture, egg prices have nearly doubled in the last six weeks, with a dozen eggs now costing an average of around $8. While the bird flu has been cited as a significant factor in the price increase, a watchdog report from Food and Water Watch suggests that the bird flu has only “slightly reduced” egg production. The report further states that “corporate greed has also played a major role” in the rising costs.
