>>Supreme Court to Hear Arguments in House Quorum Case January 23rd

(St. Paul, MN) —  The state Supreme Court will hear oral arguments next Thursday (1/23) in the lawsuits over what constitutes a quorum in the Minnesota House of Representatives.   D-F-L leaders are asking the high court to rule that 68 members are needed to conduct business in the House.   They argue that the election of G-O-P Representative Lisa Demuth (DAY’-mith) as House speaker was illegitimate because there were only 67 members present on Tuesday.   House Democrats have not shown up at the Capitol for the first three days and are waiting for Republicans to accept a power-sharing agreement.    The G-O-P has a one-vote majority pending a January 28th special election in House District 40-B.

>>Governor Walz To Announce 2025 State Budget Proposal Today

(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will reveal his 2025 state budget plan this afternoon. Last month, the spending plan forecasted a short-term surplus of 616 million dollars through 2026, one-point-one billion dollars less than previously estimated. Walz is expected to introduce his budget proposal at noon.

>>Man Who Threw Infant Son On Ground Sentenced To Nine Years In Prison

(Brooklyn Center, MN) — A Brooklyn Center man who pleaded guilty to throwing his infant son to the ground and seriously injuring him is going to prison. Maengun Randberg was sentenced yesterday to nine years behind bars. Prosecutors say the defendant injured his four-month-old in February of 2023. Randberg later admitted to getting frustrated with the baby and throwing him to the floor face down with two hands.

>>Texas Man Indicted for Escaping Federal Custody in Minnesota

(Minneapolis, MN) — A man from Texas is facing additional charges for escaping from federal custody in Minnesota. The U-S Attorney’s Office says 48-year-old Ismael Benavidez was in a Residential Reentry Center in October in Minnesota when he walked away without authorization. Benavidez was serving an initial 40-month prison sentence for conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens in Texas in 2018 and three years of supervised release. He was indicted Wednesday on one count of escape from custody and detained until his next court hearing.

>>13-Year-Old Boy Arrested for Making Threats to Fridley Public Schools

(Fridley, MN) — Police say a 13-year-old boy is under arrest for making threats against Fridley Public Schools. Classes were canceled Wednesday, and there is no school today (Thurs) due to continued safety concerns. The initial threat was made Tuesday night on social media. Officers say authorities were made aware of additional potential threats during their investigation. The boy was taken to the Lino Lakes Juvenile Detention Facility.

>>Target Reports Holiday Sales Increases in November and December

(Minneapolis, MN) — Target Corporation reports a 2.8 percent increase in holiday sales for November and December. The Minnesota-based retailer says comparable sales rose 2 percent, and digital sales rose 9 percent. Guest traffic increased almost 3 percent in stores and online. The report says Black Friday and Cyber Monday saw record-high sales, while apparel and toys saw meaningful sales acceleration. Target now expects growth of approximately 1.5 percent in its fourth-quarter comparable sales.

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