>>Ex-Minneapolis Officer J. Alexander Kueng Set to be Released From Federal Prison Tomorrow

(Lisbon, OH) — A former Minneapolis police officer involved in the death of George Floyd is scheduled to be released from prison. The Federal Bureau of Prisons has announced that J. Alexander Kueng(King) will be released tomorrow from the FCI Elkton facility in Ohio. He was one of four officers convicted in connection with Floyd’s death in 2020. Kueng received a state sentence of three and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter. He also concurrently served a three-year federal sentence for violating Floyd’s civil rights.

>>Authorities ID Teen Killed in Dirt Bike vs. Pickup Crash in Blaine

(Blaine, MN) — Authorities are identifying the teenager who died when his motorized dirt bike collided with a pickup in Blaine. The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office says 15-year-old Artem Sandulyak of Blaine died at the scene of the crash Sunday night. Deputies say Sandulyak’s bike collided with a truck driven by 50-year-old Dennis Malmstedt of Circle Pines. Malmstedt and his passenger were not injured. The incident is still under investigation.

>>Fergus Falls Church Fire

(Fergus Falls, MN) — The Fergus Falls Fire Department responded to the fire scene at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church this morning. (Tues) An attached school was evacuated, and the students were taken to a secondary school to be reunited with their parents. Muchow believes the fire followed an exhaust system from the basement to the roof. He says the roof started to sag in the area where the generator exhausts to the roof because of the heat and fire conditions underneath. The Elizabeth, Underwood, and Foxhome Fire Departments provided mutual aid.

>>House Democrats a No Show

(St. Paul, MN) — DFL House members followed through on a threat to boycott the beginning of the legislative session to deny a quorum today, but Republicans proceeded to elect Lisa Demuth as speaker despite Secretary of State Steve Simon’s declaration that no quorum was present. Republicans hold a temporary 67-66 edge in the House until a January 28th special election to fill a Roseville-area seat. GOP and DFL leaders have been negotiating a potential power-sharing agreement but failed to compromise before today’s session start.
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>>Minnesota Senate Opens with Power Sharing Agreement in Place

(St. Paul, MN) – The Minnesota 2025 legislative session opened with a power-sharing agreement voted by Republicans and Democrats in the Senate. The two sides passed a series of motions to enact the agreement of a temporary organizing structure. The agreement brings equal membership from Democrats and Republicans to each committee, along with co-chairs from each caucus. Senate Republican Leader Mark Johnson applauded the agreement, saying, “Senate Republicans are ready to work together to put Minnesotans first this session.” The Senate is currently tied 33-33 as a special election for the final seat is scheduled in two weeks.

>>Equal Rights Rally

(St. Paul, MN) — A rally for equal rights in Minnesota filled the capitol rotunda on the first day of the legislative session. A good-sized crowd wearing green shirts and waving signs that read “ERA Yes” showed up to support equal rights in Minnesota. DFL Senator Mary Kunesh has been working on this bill since 2019 and is calling on fellow lawmakers to pass this measure and put it on the 2026 November ballot so all Minnesotans can choose to have an equal rights amendment added to the state constitution. Kunesh feels this is the year to get this bill moving forward. If passed, this amendment would safeguard against discrimination based on race, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy outcomes, and more.

>>US Attorney for Minnesota Luger is Stepping Down Wednesday Night

(Minneapolis, MN) — U-S Attorney for Minnesota Andrew Luger will officially resign Wednesday night from his second term in office. Luger was appointed U-S attorney by President Joe Biden in March of 2022. He also served as Minnesota’s top federal prosecutor under President Barack Obama from 2014 to 2017. Luger planned to step down before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. He says his office made progress combatting violent crimes, child predators, and fentanyl trafficking in Minnesota, but there’s still a long way to go.

>>Rep. Morrison Appointed to House Veterans Affairs, Small Business Committees

(Washington, DC) — Freshman Minnesota Congresswoman Kelly Morrison will serve on the U-S House Veterans Affairs and Small Business committees. Morrison’s husband is a combat veteran and former Army ranger; her father-in-law was an airborne ranger who received a Purple Heart and Silver Star, and both her grandfather and father are veterans. She said, “The 3rd District is home to many talented, hard-working small business owners and entrepreneurs, and I am proud to represent their voices on the Small Business Committee.”

>>Take A Kid Fishing

(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota’s Take a Kid Fishing is this weekend, and the Department of Natural Resources has some reminders. Adults who take a child 15 years old or younger don’t need a fishing license. Kids under 16 years old never need a license. Due to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, the DNR says Take a Kid Fishing Weekend will run through Monday. Authorities say ice safety should be at the top of everyone’s mind. Some tips include wearing a life jacket, carrying ice picks or a rope, checking ice thickness regularly, and bringing a long cell phone. Parents should also talk with kids about the dangers of ice on lakes, rivers, and neighborhood ponds. Ice fishing tips and a webinar are available on the DNR’s website.

>>Shriners International Sued After Minnesota Man Died Testing Stunt Cart

(La Cresent, MN) — The widow of a Minnesota man is filing a wrongful death lawsuit following her husband’s tragic death while testing a stunt cart before a parade. Ryan Colligan died last August in a crash that occurred before a Shriners fundraising parade in La Crescent. The lawsuit alleges that Shriners International failed to implement proper safety measures. One of the claims is that Colligan was not allowed to wear a helmet before driving a motorized cart that he had never operated before. The lawsuit seeks damages of $50,000 or more.