>>Minnesota Senate Bill Would Fund Statewide School Librarian
(St. Paul, MN) — A bill moving through the Minnesota Senate would provide funding to hire a statewide school librarian. Andie Bodeau (BUH’-dough), a digital learning instructional media coordinator with Osseo Schools, supports the legislation and says it would provide guidance and leadership to 331 school districts across the state. She told lawmakers that schools are facing book challenges, the use of artificial intelligence and education, and the ever-increasing need for digital literacy and responsible use of technology and social media. But Republican Senator Mark Koran of North Branch said,” to squash local control over school boards and remove their local control. I don’t think we have a need for it.” The bill authored by Democrat Senator Mary Kunesh of New Brighton now heads to the Education Finance Committee.
>>$10K Reward Offered in Search for Missing Man on Fond du Lac Reservation
(Cloquet, MN) — A ten-thousand-dollar reward is now being offered for information that leads to a missing man from the Fond du Lac Reservation in northeastern Minnesota. Thirty-one-year-old Peter Martin was last seen at his home on March 8th and multiple searches for him have been unsuccessful. Officials suspended the search efforts last week due to the winter storm and they’re expected to resume this week. Fond du Lac Band leaders say they’ve been in contact with the Minnesota B-C-A about Martin’s disappearance. His family held a rally in Duluth calling on the F-B-I to get involved in the search.
>>Winona Man Suffers Life-Threatening Injuries in Wisconsin Bar Shooting
(Buffalo, WI) — A southeast Minnesota man is hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after a shooting Saturday morning at a bar across the border in western Wisconsin. The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office says the 33-year-old Winona man was shot in the abdomen in the parking lot of George’s Lounge. Deputies say a 39-year-old suspect fled the scene and was later arrested in Winona. He’s expected to be extradited to Wisconsin to face attempted homicide charges.
>>Suspect in Custody After Police Standoff in Woodbury
(Woodbury, MN) — Authorities report a man is under arrest after a police standoff overnight in Woodbury. Police were called to the residence for a disturbance twice and were told a man inside had a weapon and was threatening himself and others. Everyone was able to get out of the home safely and some townhomes were evacuated by the Washington County SWAT team. Officers say the barricaded man was arrested about six hours later and taken to the hospital for an evaluation.
>>Woody’s Trucking of Willmar Named SBA Woman-Owned Small Business of 2024
(Willmar, MN) — Willmar-based Woody’s Trucking Inc. is the 2024 S-B-A Minnesota District Office Women-Owned Small Business of the Year. Owner Terri Wood says her business shines due to an unwavering commitment to customer service and meeting delivery deadlines, on top of being a family-run enterprise. She says, “We really pride ourselves in being that small business, kind of mom-and-pop operation. People like that small, family feeling about our business and our employees.” Terri’s husband, Mike, originally started Woody’s Trucking, but the two switched roles in 2011, making the business 100% woman-owned. Terri has now grown the company truck fleet to 18 trucks, with refrigerated, temp-controlled transportation to 40 contiguous states.
>>U of M Professor Recommends Eclipse Safety Glasses
(Minneapolis, MN) — Minnesota will see a partial solar eclipse next Monday (April 8th) and the University of Minnesota is reminding residents that using protective eye equipment is crucial. U of M Doctor Sandra Montezuma says just looking at the sun normally can cause eye damage known as solar retinopathy, but viewing the eclipse through binoculars, a camera lens, or a telescope, or even just regular dark sunglasses is not safe either. Montezuma recommends wearing eclipse safety glasses approved by the American Astronomical Society and checking the glasses for scratches, cracks, or other damage, before donning them.
