>>Gov. Walz Releases Revised Budget Plan

(St. Paul, MN) – Governor Tim Walz has released his revised budget plan for the next biennium. The new proposal includes nearly $250 million in additional ongoing reductions for fiscal years 2028-2029. It includes additional investments in preventing avian flu and increased law enforcement training. This revised budget includes the proposals in his original budget to curb growth in spending, lower the sales tax, stop fraud, and hold health insurers accountable for rising costs. The recent February budget forecast showed Minnesota with a shrinking surplus for the next two years and a budget deficit of six billion dollars by the end of the decade.

>>Candidates Announce Campaigns for Justin Eichorn’s Vacant Minnesota Senate Seat

(St. Paul, MN) — Candidates are already positioned to enter the race for the seat of troubled Minnesota state senator Justin Eichorn. The former District Six lawmaker resigned Thursday after he was charged with attempted coercion or enticement of a minor. Governor Tim Walz is expected to issue a writ of special election for Eihorn’s seat on Tuesday.

>>Musk Accused of Buying Votes in WI Supreme Court Election

(Undated) – DOGE Head Elon Musk’s Political Action Committee (PAC) is accused of buying votes in the Wisconsin Supreme Court election. Musk funds America PAC, which offers voters $100 in exchange for signing an online petition opposing “activist judges.” WisPolitics reports that signers are required to provide their name, email address, phone number, and home address and consent to receive calls and text messages. Those who refer someone else to sign the petition can receive another $100. The offer closes at 11:59 p.m. April 1, the day Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel faces Dane County Judge Susan Crawford. Crawford’s campaign accuses Musk of trying to buy votes. America PAC has reported spending $7.3 million to back Schimel’s campaign for state Supreme Court, and another Musk-aligned group has spent $7.5 million on behalf of the conservative candidate.

>>Red Lake Hosting Day of Remembrance on the 20th Anniversary of School Shooting

(Red Lake, MN) — Today marks 20 years since the tragic mass shooting on the Red Lake Nation. In 2005, a Red Lake High School student killed five of his classmates, a teacher, the school security guard, his grandfather, and his grandfather’s partner. The shooter died by a self-inflicted gunshot. A public ceremony will be held this afternoon with guest speakers, a drumming circle, prayer, and a walk with students followed by refreshments.

>>11 Charged in TC Drug Trafficking, Kidnapping Conspiracy

(Minneapolis, MN) — 11 people have been indicted in the Twin Cities for a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) tied to a Mexican cartel in a drug trafficking and kidnapping conspiracy. Between July 2023 and January 2025, the defendants conspired to possess and distribute methamphetamine. DTO leaders brought large amounts of meth from Mexico to the Twin Cities area, and the defendants distributed it to Minnesotans. In January, a victim owed a DTO leader money and could not pay. Four of the defendants lured them to St. Paul, kidnapped, beat, and chained the victim to a pole.

ADDITIONAL INFO

The indicted individuals and their criminal charges: Richard Sanchez Mujica, 30, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, conspiracy to kidnap, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; Donovan Rey Lopez, 21, of Minneapolis is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; Erling Soren Holdahl, 48, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to kidnap; Dostin Elizander Ortiz-Garcia, 29, of Burnsville, Minnesota, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; Jonathan Salvador Juarez-Ferrer, 25, of Minneapolis, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; Timothy Duane Ripley, 45, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to kidnap; Kendra Sue Johnson, 39, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to kidnap.

>>Rochester Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Possession

(Rochester, MN) — A Rochester man has pleaded guilty for his role in fentanyl trafficking. Police responded to a medical call last May and found an unconscious man in a running pickup truck. The driver, 25-year-old Jack Farrell, was awakened and arrested for suspicion of impaired driving. A search of his vehicle turned up a baggie of 550 full and partial fentanyl pills and $326 in cash. Farrell admitted to being a “middleman” in the drug trade and was waiting for a friend. He entered a plea deal, admitting to a drug possession charge with a prison term between 65 and 78 months.

>>Target Green Bean Recall

(Minneapolis, MN) — Minneapolis-based Target is voluntarily recalling nearly 200,000 cans of its Good & Gather brand canned cut green beans over concerns they may be contaminated with a foreign object. The recalled green beans were sold in 21 states, including Minnesota. Shoppers should contact Target to see if a refund is being offered or if an exchange will be granted.

ADDITIONAL INFO

The recalled products were manufactured by Del Monte Foods and affected the Good & Gather brand of canned cut green beans. They were sold in 14.5-ounce cans with a UPC number of 0 85239-11628 9, a best-if-used-by date of October 2026, and lot number 7AA 418507, which can be found on the top or bottom of the can.

>>Emerald Ash Borer Continues to Spread

(St. Paul, MN) — The emerald ash borer has been discovered in another Minnesota county. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture says a county forester in Aitkin County discovered evidence of EAB at a timber sale site and notified state officials. It’s the first discovery of the invasive pest in Aitkin. EAB was first discovered in Minnesota in 2009 and is now present in 54 Minnesota counties. The insect larvae kill ash trees by tunneling under the bark and feeding on the part of the tree that carries nutrients up and down the trunk.

ADDITIONAL INFO

The state Department of Ag has also discovered infestations in new areas of two already infected counties. EAB was discovered by a resident in northern Pine County, and someone in the city of Virginia submitted a tip through the MDA’s Report a Pest service. The discoveries will be subject to a quarantine. The MDA is also expanding the quarantine in Mille Lacs County. While no new infestation was discovered in Mille Lacs County, its proximity to the Aitkin infestation prompted the move.