>> Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame Bill Stalls in House Committee
(St. Paul, MN) – A bill seeking 25 million dollars in state funding for the proposed Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame is stalled in a House committee. The total cost of the 140-thousand-square-foot facility in Inver Grove Heights is estimated at 151 million dollars. The legislation asks for 20 million dollars for construction next year and five million in general obligation bond proceeds for public infrastructure improvements. Mayor Brenda Dietrich told committee members, “This is a one-of-a-kind and once-in-a-lifetime type of project that truly will celebrate the history and heritage in our great state.” No action was taken at Tuesday’s meeting.
>>U.S. Representative Morrison Secures New Funding for MN Third District
(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison announced more than $11 million in funding for community projects in Minnesota’s Third District. Funding includes grants for domestic violence prevention programs, local police and fire departments, water treatment, and highway projects. The money will be used for projects including a water treatment plant in Mound, a public safety training program with Hennepin Technical College, and road construction projects in several communities. Morrison applauded the projects, saying, “They will make our neighborhoods safer, communities healthier, and the state stronger.”
>>Three Juveniles Arrested Following Willmar School Threat
(Willmar, MN) — Three juveniles have been arrested after making threats against the Willmar School District, forcing classes to be canceled on Tuesday. Police say a threatening note was found Monday at the middle school, referencing specific school buildings and staff members. After reviewing the video and interviewing school officials, three juveniles were taken to Prairie Lakes Youth Programs. Authorities say there is no ongoing threat to students, staff, or the public, and the investigation continues. Counselors will be on-site for students needing support. Superintendent Dr. Bill Adams says, “What may be intended as a joke can lead to serious, life-altering consequences. We urge parents to have conversations with their children tonight about the gravity of these actions and the impact they have on our community.”
>>First Saltie of Navigation Season Arrives in Duluth Wednesday Morning
(Duluth, MN) — The Ocean Ranger 7 is officially the first ocean-going vessel of the navigation season to arrive in Duluth. The cargo ship passed under the Aerial Lift Bridge at 7:32 this morning. The Dutch-built saltie loaded and sailed from both China and Korea and passed through the Pacific Ocean, the Panama Canal, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System. The winner of the 43rd annual First Ship Contest is Sheri Dauplaise of Cloquet. She guessed the first saltie would arrive at 7:15 a.m. today.
>>Gas Prices Increase Another 10 Cents in Minnesota
(St. Louis Park, MN) — Gas prices are up another dime in the state. Triple-A Minnesota reports that the statewide average today is $3.68 per gallon of regular unleaded. That is a 17-cent increase from last Wednesday and 43 cents more than we were paying one month ago. The national average rose to $4.16 gallon. Oil prices dropped after Iran agreed to open the Strait of Hormuz as part of the two-week ceasefire.
>>Woman Sentenced to 25-and-a-Half Years in Credit River Murder Case
(Credit River, MN) — A woman convicted of killing her live-in boyfriend in Credit River has been sentenced to 25-and-a-half years in prison. 47-year-old Jennifer Lieber was found guilty of second-degree murder in January. Prosecutors say she fatally shot David Nanovic inside their home in March of 2024. Scott County deputies were called to the home for a welfare check after a family member reported concerning behavior. Officers found Nanovic dead at the bottom of a staircase with a gunshot wound to the head. Court records show investigators later interviewed Nanovic’s 10-year-old son, who told deputies his father entered the home with his hands raised shortly before the shooting. That was the last time the child saw him.
>>Minnesota Court of Appeals to Hear Case at Fergus Falls High School
(St. Paul, MN) — A three-judge panel from the Minnesota Court of Appeals will bring the courtroom to the classroom Thursday, April 23rd(9:45 a.m.), at Fergus Falls High School. Judges JaPaul Harris, Elizabeth Bentley, and Anne Rasmusson will hear oral arguments in the case State of Minnesota versus Abdirahman Mohamed Abdi starting at 9:45 a.m. Nearly 600 students are expected to attend. After arguments, judges will answer student questions, share lunch, visit classrooms, and hold a media availability. School leaders say the experience offers meaningful, real-world learning for students. The oral arguments will be live-streamed on the Fergus Falls High School’s YouTube page.
