>>Special Session Likely
(St. Paul, MN) — With ongoing committee hearings and much work still ahead of lawmakers, Republican Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson of East Grand Forks concedes a special session will be needed. The deadline for the session is this coming Monday at midnight. With a special session, lawmakers must finish the budget by June 30 to avoid a government shutdown.
>>Dozens Rally Against Insurance Cuts Among Immigrants
(St. Paul, MN) — Dozens rallied at the state capitol to join the fight against the budget proposal to eliminate Minnesota Care for undocumented workers. Faith leaders, like Pastor Nathan Roberts of the Lutheran Church, joined Democratic lawmakers against cutting this health care. He says, “It was wonderful seeing so many people show up for health care and undocumented and immigrant neighbors. He adds he was also inspired to see a huge cross-section of the faith community. Pastor Roberts hopes legislative leaders will see the impact these cuts could have on Minnesotans and reconsider their decision.
>>Rep. Morrison Concerned about Cuts to Medicaid
(Washington, D.C.) — Third District Representative Democrat Kelly Morrison of Minneapolis is joining Protect Our Care Minnesota to protest possible federal cuts by the GOP to Medicaid. Morrison says the Republican plan to cut $715 billion will leave millions of Americans uninsured and without healthcare. Morrison says Medicaid currently covers 80 million Americans, including 1.4 million infants, children, new moms, families, people living with disabilities, and seniors in Minnesota.
>>3-Year-Old Boy Shot in the Head After Handling Loaded Firearm
(St. Anthony, MN) — A boy is recovering after he was shot inside a vehicle in St. Anthony last night. Police responded to a 911 call around 6:40 p.m. that reported someone in an apartment complex needing a hospital. Police found nothing on arrival. Thirty minutes later, a three-year-old boy was brought to a local hospital with an accidental gunshot wound to the head. The boy is in stable condition. Two adults told officers the boy picked up a loaded firearm inside a vehicle, and it went off. No arrests have been made, but police say charges are possible. The investigation is active.
>>Juvenile Arrested for Pointing Laser at National Guard Helicopter in Cass County
(Fargo, ND) — A juvenile is in custody for allegedly pointing a laser at a National Guard helicopter in Cass County late last month. Criminal Investigations Captain Bill Ahlfeldt (ALL-felt) says the suspect pointed a green laser at a UH-72 Lakota Helicopter around 9 p.m. on April 17th near Hector International Airport. The helicopter landed safely, and no one was injured. The investigation was then given to the Fargo Police. Pilots nationwide reported nearly 13,000 laser strikes in 2024.
>>Crews Continue To Battle Wildfires
(Brimson, MN) — Crews continue to battle three massive wildfires in northeastern Minnesota. Over 150 homes, cabins, and other structures have been destroyed in the fires, now covering around 32-thousand acres north of Duluth. The Jenkins Creek and Camp House fires have scorched over 30-thousand combined and are zero percent contained. Meanwhile, the Munger Shaw fire burned at least 16 hundred acres and was 25 percent contained. The evacuation order for areas around the Munger Shaw Fire has been lifted.
>>Man Pleads Guilty After Pointing Gun At Girls
(Rochester, MN) — A young man faces seven years in prison after pointing a gun at a group of girls in Rochester. Following an argument, the incident happened in a Taco Bell parking lot last summer. Yesterday, 20-year-old Trayveon Heuangsayaseng Jr. pleaded guilty to an assault charge in exchange for two other charges being dropped. The plea deal calls for up to seven years behind bars.
>>Ramsey County Fair Canceled Again
(Ramsey County, MN) — The Ramsey County Fair is once again being canceled. This is the sixth straight year that the fair has been canceled. It was first canceled in 2021 and 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and then was canceled in the years following due to the county board of commissioners instituting a 25-thousand-dollar fee, which had to be paid upfront for the fair to be held on the county fairgrounds. The county says the fair cannot be held due to deteriorating property conditions and a lack of accessibility. The Ramsey County Agricultural Society says it is continuing to search for a new location for the fair.
>>Hopkins Changes Name to Paige Bueckers, MN for Her WNBA Debut
(Hopkins, MN) — The city of Hopkins is changing its name today (Fri) to Paige Bueckers (BECK’-urz), Minnesota. The city council adopted a resolution to honor the Hopkins High School and U-Conn star, who is making her WNBA debut tonight for the Dallas Wings against the Minnesota Lynx. The community is hosting what it calls a “spirited” watch party. Dallas drafted Bueckers first overall following her championship-winning season at Connecticut.
