>>Governor, Legislative Leaders Strike Budget Agreement
(St. Paul, MN) – Governor Tim Walz and legislative leaders have agreed to a new budget for Minnesota. The deal balances the budget for the first biennium and leaves money on the bottom line heading into the second. The governor and leaders say they came up with this new budget because of compromises from both sides. The deal includes keeping health care for children of illegal immigrants, but it will no longer be free for adults. Funding will still be provided for non-public schools in Minnesota, and the historic Stillwater prison will be phased out in four years due to the high costs of maintaining that facility. During the news conference, Democratic members of the legislature started banging on the door and shouting slogans like “One Minnesota, right? and Don’t kill immigrants.”
>>Stillwater Prison To Close
(Stillwater, MN) — The Minnesota Correctional Facility in Stillwater is closing. The state Department of Corrections says the closure will be done to consolidate the state’s prison facilities to enhance the department’s economic efficiency, end future investments in crumbling infrastructure, and minimize health and safety concerns. The prison, which was built in 1914, is expected to be phased out over the next four years.
>>Wildfires Still At 0% Containment
(St. Louis County, MN) — Crews are actively combating three large wildfires in northeastern Minnesota. More residents have been ordered to evacuate as the fires north of Duluth continue to spread with zero percent containment. Officials report that the Camp House Fire near Brimson, the Jenkins Creek Fire near Fairbanks, and the Munger Shaw Fire near Cotton have collectively burned 37,000 acres and destroyed nearly 150 structures. The region is currently experiencing critical fire weather conditions, although rain may provide some relief for fire crews today.
>>Governor, Senators to Visit Northern Minnesota Wildfires
(St. Paul, MN)—Governor Tim Walz, along with Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, will visit the site of the wildfires tomorrow in northern Minnesota. The governor and senators will provide a briefing from the command post in Two Harbors at 9:45 a.m., and DNR and other state representatives will join them. The three fires burning northwest of Duluth are still zero percent contained.
>>More Options to Store Firearms
(Plymouth, MN) — To reduce suicides in Minnesota, Protect Minnesota now offers a statewide map of options to store firearms outside your home voluntarily.
Executive Director Maggiy Emery says this is the best way to make an area temporarily firearm-free. She says, “The idea is that if you or someone in your home is in crisis, or if you have kids moving in for the first time, or you have a family member with a history of mental illness moving in, any reason you would want firearms out of your home.”
The site map identifies participating law enforcement agencies, firearm retailers, and ranges where individuals can keep firearms. (out-of-home-firearm-storagemn.com)
>>Distracted Driving Campaign Nets 6,450 Cellphone Citations in April
(St. Paul, MN) — The Department of Public Safety is reporting six thousand 450 Minnesota drivers were cited for hands-free cellphone violations in April. That is a thousand more than last year’s distracted driving campaign. The St. Paul Police Department led the state with over 13 hundred citations. The Mankato Department of Public Safety topped Greater Minnesota with 305. Office of Traffic Safety Director Mike Hanson says, “No text, no call is worth a tragedy. Just put the phone down – nothing is more important than getting home safely.”
>>Federal Judge Orders Man Detained By ICE Be Released
(Marshall, MN) — A federal judge has ordered the release of a Marshall man ICE detained. Aditya Harsono, a 34-year-old from Indonesia, was arrested at his job in a Marshall hospital in March, just days after his student visa was revoked without his knowledge. The judge’s ruling stated that Harsono’s arrest violated his First Amendment rights and mandated that he be released within 48 hours.
>>Twins Sweep Baltimore in 11th Straight Win, Lose Correa and Buxton
(Baltimore, MD) — The Minnesota Twins extend their win streak to 11 games with a 4-0 shutout of the Orioles and series sweep today (Thurs) in Baltimore. Twins starter Chris Paddack pitched seven scoreless innings for his second season victory. The team lost shortstop Carlos Correa and center fielder Byron Buxton after the two collided going for a pop fly. Both players were placed on the concussion protocol. The Twins play Friday in Milwaukee.
