A new report from state agencies concludes that while air quality in Minnesota is generally good, air pollution contributes to deaths and hospitalizations across the state. Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm says 2013 data show between one and five percent of Minnesotans who went to the hospital with heart- or lung-related problems, did so because air […]
Man charged after “high-risk” search warrant executed in Duluth
A Duluth man, 23-year-old Carter Galo, was charged today with multiple drug and weapons counts after a bust late last week in the city’s East Hillside neighorhood. Law enforcement officers seized body armor, guns, drugs and cash executing what they call a high-risk search warrant.
Gov. Walz wants to expand pre-K public school programs, Repubs cautious
Fresh off his first state budget, Governor Tim Walz is talking about additional investments in schools for the next round. The new budget maintains four-thousand slots for pre-kindergarten programs in public schools — and Walz is looking at taking that further. “I think you could probably expect to see us have that as a big […]
Gov. Walz looking at ways to move forward with insulin assistance program
Governor Tim Walz is looking at ways to proceed with a statewide insulin assistance program after a bill died in the closing hours of the special legislative session — some say because of miscommunication while others blame politics. The governor says he’d prefer reaching agreement with legislators on changes to state law — however, “if […]
Officials warn Minnesotans of precious metals investment scheme
State officials say a California precious metals company with questionable sales practices has agreed to at least temporarily stop doing business in Minnesota. State Commerce Commissioner Steve Kelley says Texas issued an cease-and-desist order against Metals-dot-com, prompting similar action by Minnesota. He says, “The company had been reported using scare tactics or threats and had […]
Target doubling paid family leave benefit for employees
Minneapolis-based Target says beginning June 30th it will double the amount of paid family leave available to employees from two weeks up to four weeks — including for birth, adoption, surrogacy or foster placement. Target’s chief human resources officer, Melissa Kremer, says they’re enhancing benefits “to be more relevant across a breadth of life stages.” […]
Former Twins slugger David Ortiz shot in Dominican Republic
Minnesota Twins officials say they’re praying for David Ortiz and his family and hoping for his speedy recovery after the former slugger for Minnesota and the Boston Red Sox was shot in the back Sunday night in his native Dominican Republic. Police say Ortiz was in a bar when a man approached from behind and […]
Gas tax backers try to get traction after no success in legislative session
Backers of a gas tax increase are looking for ways to move forward after no success this legislative session and the next election over a year away. Minneapolis Democrat Frank Hornstein says support of the business community is key. “When we passed new revenue [a gas tax increase] last time in 2008, it was the […]
U-of-M president proposes tuition increases at Twin Cities, Greater MN campuses
Undergraduate tuition at the U-of-M’s Twin Cities campus would increase two-and-a-half percent, and one-and-a-half percent at U-M-D, Crookston, Morris and Rochester, under a budget plan from outgoing President Eric Kaler. The proposed tuition increase is slightly higher than what Kaler was talking about earlier, but still less than the three-percent level that state lawmakers requested […]
Citizens group says Noor sentencing doesn’t end problem of police cover-ups
A citizens group says the sentencing of ex-officer Mohamed Noor for killing Justine Damond does not end the issue. Todd Schuman with “Justice for Justine says, “This is a result of the culture of the police force and the training that police officers receive, and how they perceive their interactions with members of the community.” […]