>>Public Safety Officials Warn of Cuts in New Budget
(St. Paul, MN) – Public safety officials are sounding the alarm that their agencies could see cuts in the upcoming budget. Governor Walz has asked the House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee to find $116 million in operational savings. Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson testified these cuts would not offset higher costs for things like health insurance and salaries. He added that the BCA and Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement will likely need to cut sworn peace officer positions. Commissioner Paul Schnell says a smaller budget would likely lead to prison layoffs. The Department of Corrections gets the biggest chunk of the Public Safety Bill at $1.63 billion.
>>Bipartisan House bill looks to expand Market Bucks program
(St. Paul, MN) – A bipartisan bill in the Minnesota House wants to expand on the state’s Market Bucks program and make it easier for eligible customers to get fresh fruits and vegetables. DFL Rep. Heather Keeler sponsors the legislation and says under the program, SNAP recipients would receive a 50% discount on fresh produce, capped at $80 per month. Under the bill, $1 million in the fiscal years 2026 and 2027 would go toward launching the pilot program. It would also move the Market Bucks administration from the Minnesota Humanities Center to the Department of Health. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.
>>National Weather Service Issues Red Flag Warning for Southwest Minnesota
(Chanhassen, MN) — A Red Flag Warning goes into effect this afternoon (Wed 1-8 pm) for eight counties in southwestern Minnesota. Extreme fire risk conditions are expected in Cottonwood, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, and Rock counties. Forecasters say fires can spread quickly and grow out of control with strong winds and low humidity. The D-N-R is discouraging campfires in the area today.
>>Five Minnesota Counties Team Up With Ice
(Undated) — Five county agencies have agreed to support ICE agents in arresting undocumented immigrants. Cass, Crow Wing, Freeborn, Itasca, and Jackson are the counties involved. These agencies will collaborate with ICE to identify and, in some cases, arrest undocumented individuals. President Donald Trump signed an executive order that provides local and state agencies with various options to assist ICE.
>>Smith Introduces Bill to Permanently Ban Mining near Boundary Waters
(Washington, DC) — A bill introduced today (Wed) by U-S Senator Tina Smith would permanently prohibit sulfide ore mining near the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness. The legislation bans copper-nickel mining on 225 thousand acres of federal forest land in the Rainy River watershed. Smith says she’s prepared to fight with every tool she has to protect one of America’s greatest wilderness areas. An executive order signed by President Trump calls on the Interior Department to prioritize the development of mineral deposits like the Duluth Complex in northeastern Minnesota.
>>Brainerd Firm Pays 1.3 Million Dollars On Whistleblower Settlement
(Brainerd, MN) — A contractor from Brainerd agreed to pay over one million dollars to settle allegations of falsifying quality tests on public works contracts. The claims originated from a federal whistleblower lawsuit filed by a former employee in 2022 against Anderson Brothers Construction. The lawsuit accused the company of submitting false statements to regulators, resulting in the use of substandard materials in various construction projects. As part of the settlement, the state will receive nearly $635,000, while the federal government will get $661,000.
>>Crash Involving School Bus Takes Place On Highway 100
(Golden Valley, MN) –Police officials are investigating a crash involving a school bus Tuesday afternoon on Highway 100 near I-394. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, three vehicles were involved. Two drivers sustained injuries, but fortunately, no students were on the bus during the accident. Officials reported that the vehicles collided in a rear-end manner.
>>BPD Search for Missing, Vulnerable Adult
(Brooklyn Park, MN) — Brooklyn Park police are looking for a vulnerable adult. 31-year-old Hanna Don was last seen leaving her group home around 11 a.m. Tuesday in a tan Chevy Malibu with a CNV928 license. Hanna is described as Asian, 5 feet 1 inch tall, 175 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a black shirt and black pants. Hanna is without her medication, and there’s concern for her mental health.
>>Twins to Unveil Bronze Joe Mauer Statue on Sunday at Target Field
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Twins are unveiling a bronze statue of Hall of Famer Joe Mauer on Sunday at Target Field. The statue, made by artist Bill Mack, is on the Plaza in front of Gate 34. Justin Morneau, Tom Kelly, Paul Molitor, Tony Oliva, and Glen Perkins will attend the dedication ceremony. The team says the statue honors Mauer’s career as a Minnesota Twins player and his recent induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
