A bill banning cell phone use while driving, except in hands-free mode passed out of a House transportation committee today after emotional testimony from family members who have lost loved ones in distracted driving crashes. Danielle Wishard-Tudor’s brother was killed in 2017 by a distracted driver. Through tears, Wishard-Tudor said, “these are vehicular crashes that […]
MN Sec of State Simon optimistic after $6.6 million federal election security bill moves through key committee
A bill authorizing Minnesota access to $6.6 million in federal funds for election security today passed out of a key committee at the State Capitol. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon says being without the money has made the state vulnerable and adds “Minnesota is now the only state out of all 50 states not […]
Heated debate breaks out at State Capitol over legalization of recreational pot (AUDIO)
A press conference from a group opposing the legalization of recreational marijuana in Minnesota erupted into chaos this morning at the State Capitol when pro-legalization people in the crowd began interrupting the speakers… The group Smart Approaches to Marijuana Minnesota (SAMMn) began the news conference by stating its mission to discuss the research and science […]
Police looking for suspects in Northfield bank armed robbery
Police are looking for two suspects who robbed a Northfield bank at gunpoint this morning. Officials say two men entered the Premier Bank at around 11:50 am. One suspect with a black semi-automatic handgun approached a bank teller and demanded money. The two exited on foot with an undisclosed amount of money. The suspects are […]
Bipartisan group of lawmakers propose “hands free” cell phone-driving bills this session
A bipartisan group of state lawmakers today introduced legislation that would ban the use of cell phones when behind the wheel–unless the devices are in “hands-free” mode. DFL Representative Frank Hornstein of Minneapolis says it isn’t about restricting liberties, it’s about public safety and adds “distracted driving is the fastest cause of road accidents in […]
Jayme Closs found alive, suspect in custody
Jayme Closs has been found alive. The 13-year-old had been missing since October when her parents were discovered murdered in their home. Jayme was found yesterday in the town of Gordon, which is about 40 miles southeast of Duluth. Closs reportedly managed to escape from her captor. A short time after she was found, police […]
No injuries reported after report of a gun at North High School prompts lockdown
No one was injured today after North High School was placed on lockdown following a report of a student with a gun. A district spokesperson says the school received a tip about the student. The school resource officer was notified and the student was located and arrested. Officials aren’t saying if a gun was found. […]
Long-time state legislator, Iron Range champion Rukavina dies
Long-time Iron Range political stalwart Tom Rukavina has died. The DFLer from Virginia, Minnesota had reportedly been at the University of Minnesota to receive a bone marrow transplant to treat leukemia. He died this morning at the age of 68. Rukavina spent 26 years in the Minnesota House of Representatives, starting in 1986. Prior to […]
Tim Walz sworn in as Minnesota’s 41st governor
Tim Walz is officially the 41st governor of Minnesota after his swearing in this morning in St. Paul. In his inaugural address, Walz reiterated his vision of “One Minnesota” saying “One Minnesota is in our blood, it is borne of our shared values, it’s sewn into the fabrics of our communities, it is driven by […]
Sen Newman to hold hearing after DPS data breach (AUDIO)
Republican State Senator Scott Newman of Hutchinson chairs the Senate transportation committee and says he’ll hold a hearing early in the new session to get to the bottom of a recent data breach involving the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS). The addresses of 15-hundred people were inadvertently sent to three different companies. Newman says […]