>>Minnesota Looking at Tougher Election Interference Laws
(St. Paul, MN) – Minnesota lawmakers are looking to increase the penalties for anyone who tries to intimidate a voter or interfere with the election process. Senate Elections Vice Chair Bonnie Westlin of Plymouth believes “Voting is such a sacred right in this country, and we want every person to feel comfortable going and casting their ballot and making their voice heard.” The bill increases the penalties from a gross misdemeanor to a felony, and maximum civil penalties would go from $1,000to $10,000. The bill passed the Elections Committee 11-0 and is now headed to the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee.
>>Special Honor for Sgt. 1st Class Amor in US House
(Washington, D.C.) – A special honor on the U.S. House floor Thursday night for a fallen Army Reserve soldier from White Bear Lake. Representative Zach Nunn of Iowa read the names of the four soldiers killed in a drone attack in Kuwait, and Congresswomen Betty McCollum and Ilhan Omar represented Minnesota. There was also a moment of silence for the fallen servicemembers. Amor and the three others were serving with the Des Moines, Iowa-based 103rd Sustainment Command.
>>Rep. Fischbach Supports Military Action Against Iran
(Undated) – Republican Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach of Paynesville says she agrees with President Donald Trump’s military action against Iran. The strike was in unison with Israel. Fischbach says “we needed to take action” for the safety of the U.S., calling Iraqis “terrorists” and “evil.” The effort to limit President Trump’s Iran war powers failed in both chambers, with the Senate voting 47-53 against the resolution and the House rejecting it 212-219.
>>Lakeville Man Pleads Guilty in Fentanyl, Cocaine Trafficking Case
(Rochester, MN) – A 26-year-old former Lakeville man is pleading guilty in a drug case involving thousands of fentanyl pills and a large amount of cocaine. Prosecutors say Seila Ibrahim and Omar Mohamed of Rochester were arrested in June 2024 following a Rochester police trafficking investigation. Court documents say investigators observed multiple suspected drug-trafficking trips to the Twin Cities before stopping their vehicle on Highway 52 just north of Rochester. A search uncovered over 7,000 pills, along with a brick of cocaine weighing nearly 270 grams. Ibrahim pleaded guilty this week to first-degree drug possession under a plea deal. He’s scheduled for sentencing in May.
>>Fargo Man Arrested After Hitting Squad Car in Stolen SUV
(Fargo, ND) – A Fargo man is facing multiple charges after police say he stole an SUV from a local dealership and hit a police squad car while fleeing officers. Just after midnight last Friday, an officer spotted an SUV driving with Corwin dealership plates and a damaged grill. The vehicle had been reported stolen. When the officer attempted a traffic stop, the driver, identified as Skyler Kidwell, took off. Police later found the car, where officers say Kidwell fled again, hitting the squad car. Another driver in a nearby parking lot had to pull over quickly to avoid being struck. Kidwell, who was driving with a suspended license, was arrested and is charged with theft, fleeing a peace officer, criminal mischief, reckless driving, and driving under suspension.
