The mother of a six-year-old boy found dead in the trunk of a car in Orono has been charged with murder. 28-year-old Julissa Thaler was arrested Friday. Police had responded to a call of a vehicle driving on a tire rim with the back window smashed out. When officers searched the vehicle before towing it, […]
Former Mpls officer Lane pleads guilty in death of Georg Floyd
Former Minneapolis police officer Thomas Lane has pleaded guilty to a state charge of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd. As part of a plea deal, Lane will have a count of aiding and abetting second-degree unintentional murder dismissed. Lane, J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao were convicted in February […]
State House Speaker Hortman tests positive for COVID
State House Speaker Melissa Hortman announced this morning that she has tested positive for COVID. Hortman, who has been in private talks with Governor Tim Walz and other legislative leaders over the past several days, tweeted today that she is vaccinated, is doing okay and will continue to participate in end-of-session negotiations remotely.
Gov Walz signs into law bill aiming to end Veteran homelessness
Governor Tim Walz today signed into law a comprehensive veterans bill that aims to move the state toward ending and preventing veteran homelessness. The bill also provides around $25 million in service bonuses to veterans and Gold Star families and funds more than $10 million for veterans’ homes and veterans’ cemeteries. And the bill includes […]
Paid family leave insurance bill passes in state Senate
The state Senate today, on a vote of 37-29, passed a bill authorizing certain insurers to offer paid family leave benefits. Democrat John Marty from Roseville voted “no” and said, “I think that the people of Minnesota who’ve been asking for this are going to be deeply disappointed because this does nothing that’s going to […]
Lung Assoc Turns MN Turquoise This Week to Raise Awareness of Lung Cancer
The American Lung Association is turning the state turquoise this week. Spokeswoman Pat McKone says the goal is “to raise awareness of lung cancer and to educate folks about life-saving screaming that’s available.” Here in Minnesota, the Lung Association is illuminating major landmarks and buildings turquoise, including Allianz Field, Target Field, Capella Tower and the […]
Local reaction to Roe v Wade draft leak
Local politicians and experts are weighing in today after a draft of a Supreme Court opinion to overturn Roe v Wade was leaked and published Monday by Politico. It shows justices are ready to strike down the 1973 landmark decision that led to the legalization of abortion in the U-S. Phil Kronebusch is a political […]
Sen Klobuchar reflects on mentor, friend Mondale ahead of memorial service (AUDIO)
U-S Senator Amy Klobuchar joins President Joe Biden along with other dignitaries in paying tribute Sunday to former Vice President Walter Mondale. Klobuchar says, “Walter Mondale stood for democracy and good government and civility and dignity and decency and politics his entire life.” Klobuchar remembers Mondale as a mentor and cherished friend who gave her […]
Board of Animal Health extends ban on poultry events
As a result of highly pathogenic avian influenza, the Minnesota Board of Animal Health is extending its temporary statewide ban on poultry events until June 1st. The Board’s Dr. Shauna Voss says “Minnesota’s first county fairs of 2020 generally are set to begin at the beginning of June and we don’t anticipate that this ban […]
Local advocates applaud FDA’s decision to ban menthol products
The F-D-A today announced a plan to ban menthol cigarettes. Gene Nicholls with Minnesotans for a Smoke-free Generation applauds the decision. He says the tobacco industry has been marketing to people of color for more than a half-century and adds “quite frankly it’s going to begin to save the lives of many many African Americans, […]