>>Man Dead from Overnight Shooting in St. Paul’s Frogtown
(St. Paul, MN) — A man is dead after an overnight shooting in St. Paul’s Frogtown neighborhood. Around 1 a.m. officers responded to multiple 911 reports of shots fired and someone being shot, with multiple people driving away from the scene. Officers found nothing on arrival when another 911 call came in saying the victim was being brought to Regions Hospital in a private vehicle. The male victim was pronounced dead shortly after arriving. No arrests have been made and investigators ask anyone with information to call 651-266-5650. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office is working to identify the victim and cause of death. This is St. Paul’s 7th homicide.
>>MN Democrats Deny Republicans’ Call to Give School Districts Timely Notice of Schoolgrounds Violence
(St. Paul, MN) – Minnesota Senate Republicans could not convince Democrats to require that school districts give teachers and parents “timely notice” of any violence on school grounds or at school activities that causes injury. Eden Prairie Democrat Steve Cwodzinski says while he appreciates much of what’s in the proposal, “a hearing on this bill next session and getting more information from all the stakeholders will allow us to make a better decision.” Waconia Republican Julia Coleman told Cwodzinski she’s grateful he’s willing to discuss it next session — however, “When we have teachers getting grazed with bullets, when we have teachers getting stabbed, when we have students getting TBI’s (traumatic brain injuries), this is something I would like to address now.” Little Falls Republican Nathan Wesenberg says the Senate should pass it this session, not “kick the can down the road.”
>>Minneapolis Man Charged with Bombing Minneapolis Hair Salon
(Minneapolis, MN) — A Minneapolis man has been federally charged with maliciously damaging a Minneapolis hair salon through an explosive device. Court documents say around 2:49 a.m. November 20th, 2022, an explosive device detonated at a Minneapolis hair salon causing interior and exterior damage. A Ring camera video recording shows 59-year-old Michael Francisco placing the device on the window of the salon and fleeing before it exploded. Almost a year later on November 6th, 2023, video footage captured Francisco vandalizing the same hair salon by throwing a landscape rock through the salon’s window, causing it to break, before he fled the scene. A search warrant of Francisco’s residence on March 8th, 2024, turned up evidence for both incidents, a revolver with ammunition, and methamphetamine. Francisco’s next hearing is scheduled for next Monday.
>>MNA President Says Addressing Workplace Violence, Safety in Legislature is “Long Overdue”
(Willmar, MN) – An employee of CentraCare Rice Hospital in Willmar was seriously injured Monday after being stabbed by a patient in the emergency room. Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) President Chris Rubesch says addressing workplace violence and safety in regulatory statute is long overdue. He explains, “You have people who are coming to seek care, sometimes on the worst days of their lives. These are acute situations that can lead to emotional distress and sometimes violence.” Rubesch believes MNA is leading the push at the state legislature this year with its Healing Greed Agenda, a bundle of bills aimed at prioritizing “patient need over corporate greed” in hospitals, as well as securing expanded funding and eligibility for loan forgiveness in nursing programs and increasing public transparency surrounding hospital closures and service reductions.
>>BCA Identifies Woman Who Led Officers on Chase Before Crashing in Chanhassen
(Chanhassen, MN) — Authorities say a Bloomington woman was pointing a B-B gun when a South Lake Minnetonka police officer shot at her vehicle before it crashed in Chanhassen last week. The Minnesota B-C-A says Officer Zachary Robertson fired his handgun through his windshield at the vehicle driven by 33-year-old Amanda Nelson and she drove off. Nelson was wanted on an aggravated assault arrest warrant out of Illinois and led authorities on a chase. Officers used a PIT maneuver to disable the car and it rolled over. Agents say a Smith and Wesson B-B air pistol was recovered from her vehicle.
>>Minnesota State Patrol Warns Residents About Newest Statewide Scams
(Undated) — The Minnesota State Patrol is warning residents that sneaky car-buying scams are plaguing the state right now. If you’re buying from a dealership, investigators recommend looking up the business online and reviewing what customers are saying, making sure you understand each part of the deal and any warranties and that each part is in writing, read all the paperwork, and complete the transaction at the dealer’s place of business. If you’re buying a new-to-you vehicle from a private party, investigators recommend being suspicious of any deal asking to put money down before seeing the vehicle, being wary of vehicles with out-of-state titles, getting everything in writing, and transferring the title within 10 days, as required by state law.
>>Hy-Vee Dietitians Offering 2,000 Free A1C Screenings in April
(Undated) — Hy-Vee is offering 2,000 free A1C screenings this month throughout its eight-state region. A1C is a simple blood test measuring average blood sugar levels over the past three months – a common screening used to identify prediabetes and diabetes. Registration is required, which can be done online, and a local Hy-Vee dietitian will reach out to schedule a screening based on availability. The free screenings are only available while supplies last.