>>DFL Lawmakers Press for Passage of a Bonding Bill
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota lawmakers are under growing pressure to reach a bonding deal as project requests top seven billion dollars statewide. DFL Senator Sandy Pappas of St. Paul is pushing a 1-point-4 billion dollar package, larger than proposals from Governor Tim Walz and Republican leaders. Pappas says the needs are urgent, pointing to communities without clean drinking water and aging infrastructure. She also criticized the timing of negotiations, saying bonding bills are too often left until the final hours, despite being critical investments in the state’s economy. Republicans say they support a bonding bill but want a smaller, more targeted plan. With fewer than three weeks left in the session, bipartisan talks continue.
>>Minnesota Closes School Bus Safety Loophole
(Undated) – A new Minnesota law is now in effect aimed at protecting kids getting on and off school buses. Drivers are now required to stop at least 20 feet away anytime a bus’s red lights are flashing – even if the stop arm is not fully extended. Public safety officials say the change removes hesitation and puts responsibility squarely on motorists. Violators face a 500-dollar fine. State Patrol says thousands of tickets are issued each year, and many dangerous passes still go unreported.
>>Mankato Teen and Three Dogs Reported Missing
(Mankato, MN) –- Authorities in Mankato are asking for assistance in locating a missing 19-year-old girl. Officers say Clarissa McKeown was last seen on Tuesday around 4:30 p.m. walking three dogs: two corgis and a husky. McKeown is described as white, five feet seven inches tall, weighing around 179 pounds, with hazel eyes and pink hair. Anyone with information about McKeown should call 9-1-1.
>>No Kings Rally in Minnesota Cost St. Paul $180K
(St. Paul) — New details are shedding light on the cost of last month’s massive “No Kings” rally. City officials say the March 28 gathering at the Minnesota State Capitol cost more than $180,000, with the majority of expenses tied to police staffing, including overtime and crowd-control operations. The rally drew an estimated 200,000 people to the Twin Cities, prompting a significant public safety presence and traffic management efforts throughout the area. Despite the large turnout, officials reported no major incidents or widespread arrests. City leaders note that large-scale demonstrations often require extensive planning and resources, though it’s not yet clear whether any of the costs could be offset or reimbursed. Organizers say the event was intended to be peaceful and highlight concerns about government power and accountability.
>>North Shore Flooding
(Undated) — Flooding concerns are growing along Minnesota’s North Shore as spring snowmelt combines with recent heavy rainfall, creating hazardous conditions across the region. Popular outdoor destinations, including Gooseberry Falls State Park and Tettegouche State Park, have closed several trails due to rising water levels and unsafe terrain. Authorities have also issued flood watches for Lake County and Cook County, warning that rivers and streams could continue to swell as runoff persists. Officials are urging residents and visitors to stay alert, respect posted closures, and avoid flooded areas, emphasizing that conditions can change quickly and pose serious safety risks.
>>Senator Bernie Sanders, Lt. Gov. Flanagan Appearing at Rochester Rally
(Rochester, MN) — U-S Senator Bernie Sanders is appearing at a rally with Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan on Saturday in Rochester. Sanders is stopping in Minnesota on his national ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ tour. Flanagan’s campaign says she will join Sanders to speak about their shared commitment to taking on corporate power and fighting for working families. Sanders endorsed Flanagan’s campaign for U-S Senate. The rally is at 5 p.m. Saturday at John Marshall High School.
>>Fifth Egg Laid in DNR’s Peregrine Falcon Nest
(St. Paul, MN) — For the first time in the history of the DNR’s Natural Resources FalconCam, a peregrine falcon pair has laid a rare fifth egg—something seen in only about seven percent of Midwest clutches. Staff spotted the egg on Tuesday, marking a milestone for the nest box that’s been in place since 1987. Peregrine falcons typically lay three to four eggs, and incubation began on April 26th when the fourth egg was laid. That means viewers can expect the first signs of hatching between May 29th and May 31st. While a five-egg clutch is exciting, experts say not all may hatch, and even if they do, raising five chicks can be a challenge, with survival to fledging not guaranteed.
