>>Minnesota Senator Arrested
(Detroit Lakes, MN) — Affiliate K-F-G-O reports state Senator Nicole Mitchell, a Democrat from (the Saint Paul suburb of) Woodbury, was arrested early this morning (Mon) in Detroit Lakes in west-central Minnesota on suspicion of first-degree burglary. Police Chief Steve Todd says the homeowner called police, and officers and deputies searched the residence and found 49-year-old Mitchell, who was taken to Becker County Jail. The county attorney’s office will review the report and determine whether Mitchell will be charged. Senate Democratic leaders have not been reachable for comment. Mitchell was elected in 2022 and is a former T-V meteorologist and a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserve.
>>Man Dies in Benton County Fire near Sauk Rapids
(Sauk Rapids, MN) — Authorities in Benton County are investigating a deadly fire Sunday afternoon in rural Sauk Rapids. A caller told the sheriff’s office that an outbuilding was burning and a man was on fire. He tried unsuccessfully to save the man before calling 9-1-1. Deputies arrived and attempted to save the victim, but he died at the scene. Sauk Rapids firefighters extinguished the outbuilding and uncontrolled fires engulfing two wood-burning stoves. The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office is helping local investigators determine the cause.
>>Walz Appoints Judges Gaïtas and Hennesy to Minnesota Supreme Court
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz is appointing two new associate justices today (Mon) to the Minnesota Supreme Court. The governor’s office says Court of Appeals Judge Theodora Gaïtas (GUY’-ay-tiss) and Stearns County Judge Sarah Hennesy will succeed retiring Justices G. Barry Anderson and Margaret Chutich (CHEW’-ditch). Judge Gaïtas says as an associate justice. She will strive to apply the law fairly and justly for all Minnesotans. Judge Hennesy said she will work collaboratively with her colleagues to interpret the law faithfully, uphold the Constitution, and ensure that justice is accessible to all Minnesotans. Their appointments will create a female majority on the state’s high court.
>>Cannabis Businesses Against “Lottery Based” Licensing System
(St. Paul, MN) — A coalition of cannabis businesses and advocates is urging Minnesota lawmakers to reject part of a bill that says it would implement a “lottery-based” licensing system. Representative Zack Stephenson of Coon Rapids says the bill passed by the House does make some changes to how cannabis business licenses are awarded. He says, “This has been interpreted in the press as moving from a point-based system to a lottery system or a merit-based system to a lottery system. And I’ll clarify at the beginning that that’s overstated.” Stephenson says there are “merit-based” assessments and a lottery in his proposal. Opponents sent a letter to House and Senate leaders, saying a lottery-based system would “undermine the market’s integrity and delay its readiness.”
>>Ventura: Trump Copied Everything I Did To Win In 2016
(Minneapolis, MN) — Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura feels he deserves some credit for helping Donald Trump win the presidency eight years ago. Ventura spoke to WCCO-TV Sunday and said Trump came to Minnesota in 2000 to talk to him about how he won the governor’s race in 1998. Ventura said the Trump campaign “copied me to a ‘T,'” using the former governor’s blueprint to win the presidency in 2016.
>>Minnesota Lynx to Introduce First-Round Draft Pick Pili
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Lynx will introduce first-round draft pick Alissa Pili (PEE’-lee) this afternoon (Mon 4:30 pm) at A Bar of Their Own in Minneapolis. Pili was drafted eighth overall by Minnesota last Monday out of the University of Utah. She averaged over 21 points and six-point-six rebounds in her senior season for the Utes. Pili is the first Native Alaskan selected in the W-N-B-A Draft. The Lynx also took Louisville guard Kiki Jefferson with the 31st overall pick.
