>>MN House debates controversial gun safe-storage bill before vote later today
(St. Paul, MN) — Heated debate in the Minnesota House this afternoon (Thurs) on a gun safe-storage bill — particularly on a Republican-backed proposal to exempt from storage requirements the victims of stalking and people seeking restraining orders. Shoreview Democrat Kelly Moller (MOE-ler) says the bill does allow people to have a gun on their nightstand, but Republicans’ proposed exceptions are too broad. Moller says, “Somebody could leave multiple loaded guns around their House and a child accesses the gun and shoots another child or injures themselves.” Henderson Republican Bobbie Harder responded someone broke into her apartment years ago and assaulted her for hours until a police officer saved her. “Because of that incident, if I want to keep a firearm — and I mean everywhere: the kitchen drawer, the closet, my car — everywhere to keep my[self] safe… that’s my right,” Harder says.
>>Becker County prosecutor says court filing was in error, Mitchell *not* charged with controlled-substance violation
**MEDIA REFERENCE**
(Detroit Lakes, MN) — The Becker County Attorney says “an oversight on my part” resulted in a court filing erroneously stating that suspected controlled substances were being tested in the felony burglary case against Democratic state Senator Nicole Mitchell from Woodbury. Prosecutor Brian McDonald told the Star Tribune he was trying to get required information to Mitchell’s defense attorneys as soon as he could and “used a boilerplate form and it should have been deleted.” McDonald says Mitchell is not charged with any controlled substance violations. Republicans had circulated the court filing on social media, Red Wing Representative Pam Altendorf posting “This is the story that just keeps getting bigger, Bigger and BIGGER!!!”
>>Pro-Palestine encampment on U-of-M East Bank taken down after amnesty agreement with Interim President Ettinger
(Minneapolis, MN) — Pro-Palestine groups are taking down their encampment on Northrop Mall at the U-of-M’s East Bank campus in Minneapolis after an agreement was reached with Interim President Jeff Ettinger who has provided ‘amnesty’ for any students or employees participating in the demonstration. While the U-of-M Twin Cities campus may have dampened pro-Palestinian encampments, marches and rallies, the movement is spreading elsewhere in Minnesota. Protests have been seen at local colleges in Mankato and Duluth, as well as in general public spaces.
>>Gov. Walz signs bill naming stretch of Highway 169 on Iron Range in honor of the late Sen. Dave Tomassoni
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz has signed a bill designating part of Highway 169 on the Iron Range as the “Senator David J. Tomassoni Memorial Cross Range Expressway.” Senator Rob Farnsworth of Hibbing says Tomassoni recently secured funding to complete a four-lane stretch near Taconite. He says Highway 169 all the way to the city of Mountain Iron will be named in Tomassoni’s honor because that was the section of the Cross Range Expressway that he still represented before redistricting changed the lines. Farnsworth says Tomassoni left an enduring mark on the Senate before he died of A-L-S on August 11th, 2022.
>>Two Men Charged in Connection to Rochester Scam
(Rochester, MN) — Two out-of-state men have been charged in connection to a law enforcement impersonation scam that stole $16,000 from a Rochester woman. 31-year-old Demonte Brazil of Atlanta and 21-year-old Gabriel Weatherspoon of South Bend, Indiana are charged with a felony count each of theft by swindle and impersonation. Officials say the victim received a call from a person claiming to be a retired lieutenant from the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office, telling her she missed a court date and would be arrested if she didn’t pay a $10,000 bond. The woman met up with the man and handed him the money, also giving him another $6,000 one hour later. The victim reported the scam to the RPD, who later looked at surveillance footage of the victim handing the money to a suspect, and arrested the two men in a traffic stop.
>>Duluth Man Charged with 1st-Degree Property Damage for Spray Painting “Plunger” Across City
(Duluth, MN) — A Duluth man arrested for allegedly spray painting the word “plunger” at many locations around the city has been charged. 22-year-old Mason Manseau faces up to five years in prison for 1st-degree property damage and fleeing a police officer. Duluth police say they’ve been made aware of hundreds of black and blue graffiti “plunger” tags.
>>Rep. Craig Secures $1M to Construct Regional Innovation Hub in Shakopee
(Shakopee, MN) — Representative Angie Craig has secured $1 million in federal funding that she says will promote economic development and create “good-paying jobs for Minnesotans” in Shakopee. The funding will go towards constructing the Regional Innovation Hub, a state-of-the-art facility aimed at boosting workforce development and expanding support for entrepreneurs.
