>>House Set to Debate Sports Betting Bill
(St. Paul, MN) — A long-awaited and controversial sports betting bill is scheduled for debate in the Minnesota House — but whether it comes up for a vote today (Wed) is still up in the air, with Coon Rapids Democrat Zack Stephenson declining to comment on the status of his bill. Stephenson’s bill authorizes mobile sports betting licenses for Indian tribes with a 20 percent tax on proceeds. It legalizes fantasy contests, taxed at 10 percent. It reduces tax rates on charitable gambling receipts beginning in fiscal 2025, provided tax revenues from sports betting and fantasy contests hit certain thresholds. And Stephenson’s bill prohibits what are called historical horse racing (HHR) machines at Minnesota’s two horse tracks, overriding a recent decision by the Minnesota Racing Commission, but also establishes an economic development account to benefit the tracks. Bw reporting.)
>>Martin County West voters approve $64 million school bond referendum
(Sherburn, MN) — The Martin County West School District in south-central Minnesota is moving forward with a 64-million-dollar building project after the passage of a bond referendum. Voters narrowly approved a ballot question for a new pre-K through 12th-grade school Tuesday night but rejected a two-million-dollar measure for a new auxiliary gymnasium. Officials say the new school building will be located next to the current Martin County West Junior & Senior High School in Sherburn.
>>Man Charged with Death of Eden Prairie, Eagan Firefighter
(Minneapolis, MN) — A man has been formally charged in connection to a gunbattle outside a popular Minneapolis nightclub that killed off-duty Eden Prairie and Eagan firefighter, 40-year-old Joseph C. Johns. 28-year-old Marquise Hammonds-Ford is charged with first-degree riot resulting in the death of a person, possession of a machine gun or machine gun conversion kit, and illegal possession of a firearm by a felon. Conditional bail for Hammond-Fords was set at $800,000.
>>Minneapolis Man Sentenced to Over 9 Years in Prison for Illegal Firearm Possession, Drug Trafficking
>>Isanti Wedding Venue That Closed Without Notice Sued by at Least 5 Couples
(Isanti, MN) — Circle B, an Isanti wedding venue that permanently closed on April 21st this year with no notice and no refunds, is being sued by at least five couples. Four of the lawsuits filed are in Washington County, where Circle B owners Wayne and Angela Butt live, and the other in Isanti County, where the venue is located. The civil suits demand repayment of fees paid to the Butts, along with non-refundable deposits made to other vendors like caterers and DJs. Damages from all the lawsuits total nearly $40,000. The couple’s phone numbers have been disconnected, and the Circle property is listed for sale.
>>Minneapolis Man Sentenced to Over 9 Years in Prison for Illegal Firearm Possession, Drug Trafficking
(Minneapolis, MN) — A Minneapolis man has been sentenced to over 9 years in prison for illegally possessing two firearms and using one of them while facilitating drug trafficking. Court documents say officials pulled over a speeding vehicle on January 11th, 2020, on I-394 in Golden Valley. The driver, 26-year-old Dejavareah Brown, fled from police at over 100 mph, jumped a median, and shredded his front tire. Officers ultimately disabled the vehicle, at which Brown fled on foot across the highway. Officials found and arrested Brown, noting a strong smell of alcohol on him, and seized two firearms and ammunition from his vehicle. Another search warrant was executed on Brown’s home in March 2022 after receiving information he was selling narcotics out of his Minneapolis apartment. Officials seized a loaded .45 pistol, ammunition, 3,500 M30 fentanyl pills, over 18 pounds of marijuana, over $650 cash, and miscellaneous drug paraphernalia.
