>>Minnesota Lawmakers Push to Lower Teacher Retirement Age
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota lawmakers are currently considering a bipartisan plan that would allow teachers to retire earlier with full pensions to address rising turnover rates in the education sector. One proposal suggests enabling full retirement at age 60, which would cost taxpayers an estimated $240 million annually. Two alternative proposals would either lower the full pension age to 62 or allow partial pensions beginning at age 60. Supporters argue that these changes could save money in the long run by enabling the replacement of higher-paid retirees with younger educators. Teacher unions support the option for early retirement at age 60; however, securing funding remains a significant obstacle.
>>Minnesota Republicans Want to Halt Funds for Train Between Duluth and Twin Cities
(St. Paul, MN) — Some Minnesota legislators are looking to eliminate the proposed Northern Lights Express passenger train service between the Twin Cities and Duluth. The plans indicate that the federal government would cover 80 percent of the $719 million needed to construct the project. However, GOP lawmakers are questioning whether the Trump administration will support the plan. Minnesota Republicans now advocate for redirecting nearly $200 million designated for the Northern Lights project to the Minnesota Department of Transportation for the maintenance of state highways. Supporters of this proposed initiative argue that it would be transformative, noting that Amtrak service between the Twin Cities and Duluth has been discontinued for 40 years.
>>DNR Sets Walleye Limits on Upper Red Lake
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced the walleye bag limit for Upper Red Lake this summer. The open water season begins on May 10th, allowing anglers to keep up to five walleye per day, including one fish over 17 inches. The DNR reports that the lake has a plentiful population of young walleye, and this regulation aims to maintain the ideal stock of female spawning walleye. An overabundance of young fish can disrupt the overall population as they compete for limited food resources. A DNR spokesman noted that they have 20 years of data from managing Upper Red Lake and have developed a solid understanding of how to regulate the harvest through their creel surveys.
>>North Dakota Meth Dealer Indicted on Federal Drug and Gun Charges in Minnesota
(Bemidji, MN) — A North Dakota man is facing federal drug and gun charges for dealing methamphetamine in Minnesota. The indictment alleges that 48-year-old Jerami Leno conspired with others to possess and distribute meth in the state from February through July of 2024. Leno was caught with a semi-automatic pistol last February and is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a felony drug conviction in Montana. Acting U-S Attorney Lisa Kirkpatrick thanked the Douglas and Wilkin County sheriff’s offices for partnering on this case.
>>Twin of Woman Accused in Fatal Amish Buggy Crash Sentenced
(Rochester, MN) — The Wabasha woman charged with lying to authorities to protect her twin sister, who was involved in a fatal Amish buggy crash, has been sentenced to 3 months in jail and four years of probation. In September 2023, near Stewartville, Samantha Petersen allegedly crashed her SUV into an Amish buggy while high on methamphetamine. 7-year-old Wilam and 11-year-old Irma Miller were killed, and two other siblings suffered serious injuries. Court documents say Sarah Petersen got a call from her sister, made it to the crash before police, and told officers she was the one driving. 37-year-old Sarah took a plea deal, dropping 14 other counts in exchange for two felony counts of criminal vehicular operation. Her twin, Samantha, faces 17 charges, including criminal vehicular homicide. Samantha’s plea hearing is in June.
>>Man Dies in Late Night Stabbing in St. Paul
(St. Paul, MN) — Police in St. Paul are investigating a deadly stabbing in the Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood. Officers found a man suffering multiple stab wounds in front of a home late Monday night. The victim was taken to Regions Hospital and later died of his injuries. Investigators say they are trying to determine what led to the stabbing and are looking for suspects. This is the second homicide of the year in St. Paul.
