>>Governor Walz Set to Sign Free School Meals for all Bill
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz this afternoon (115pm) signs into law one of Democrats’ top priorities for the 2023 session: free school breakfast and lunch for all Minnesota students, regardless of income. House Republicans made a last-ditch attempt Thursday afternoon to block the bill, Red Wing Representative Pam Altendorf saying, “It’s going to be feeding some children that do not need this type of help, in areas like Edina.” Edina Democrat Heather Edelson responded “I want to make it very clear: We have hungry kids in Edina. We do. And if you think our streets are lined with gold, I invite you to my city. They are not.”
>>Months later Xcel Notifies the Public of a Radioactive Water Leak
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesotans weren’t notified until nearly four months after Xcel Energy reported to state and federal regulators a radioactive water leak at its Monticello nuclear plant. Xcel Regional President Chris Clark indicates the utility had the option of telling the public sooner — however
“We knew there wasn’t a public safety risk or concern here. Our focus was really on understanding what we needed to do to remedy that situation.” Clark says Xcel notified state and federal authorities, immediately focused on finding containing the leak, and did not want to create undue concern. A state Pollution Control Agency official says the public was notified Thursday — almost three months after the leak was patched — because “we have now sufficient information to be able to share it out to a wider group.”
>>Fatal Shooting of Pregnant Woman Under Investigation in St. Paul
(St. Paul, MN) — Police in St. Paul are investigating a shooting Monday that resulted in the death of a pregnant woman. Officers say the victim was taken by private vehicle to Regions Hospital with a gunshot wound to the head and later died of her injuries. Investigators say the woman was shot inside the car around 5 p-m Monday. Detectives are asking the public for tips about the city’s seventh homicide of the year.
>>12 Cadets Graduating From State Patrol Experience Traffic Safety Officer Academy
(St. Paul, MN) — Twelve new troopers graduate today (Friday 11 am) from the Minnesota State Patrol’s first-ever Experience Traffic Safety Officer Academy. These cadets have at least two years of full-time experience as a police officer or sheriff’s deputy. The State Patrol’s 66th graduating class trained last June at Camp Ripley, but it was shortened from 14 to ten weeks because they are all experienced traffic safety officers. The new troopers will begin additional training at the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
>>Girls State Basketball Tourney Continues at Williams Arena
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Girls State Basketball Tournament continues today (Friday) with the Class A and Two-A semifinals. Mountain Iron-Buhl (byool) and Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa play the first class A game at noon at Williams Arena, and Hayfield and BOLD meet in the second semifinal at 2 p-m. It’s Providence Academy versus Minnehaha Academy in the first Two-A matchup at 6 p-m and Goodhue and Albany in the late game. All four state championships are Saturday at the Barn.
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