>>Tariffs Squeeze Minnesota Small Businesses
(St. Paul, MN) — Federal tariffs are hitting Minnesota entrepreneurs hard, leaving some unable to plan for the future. Beth Benike, owner of a baby products company in Zumbrota, says the uncertainty is paralyzing her business. “I can’t plan inventory. I can’t set prices. I can’t make hiring decisions. I can’t invest in growth,” Benike told lawmakers. “Even with tariffs on goods from China at 30 percent, I can’t afford to bring in my next container. These aren’t cheap Chinese goods—they’re my patented inventions. I manufacture in China because I can’t get them made here.” Benike testified before a Senate subcommittee that she had to delay her latest shipment after the cost for two containers skyrocketed to $230,000.
>>Twin Ports Volunteers Form Immigration Rapid Response Team
(Duluth, MN) — A group of Twin Ports volunteers is launching an immigration rapid response team to monitor and report local enforcement activity. The team aims to mobilize trained volunteers as “constitutional observers,” offering an extra set of eyes and ears in the community amid what organizers describe as heightened ICE operations. In addition to on-the-ground monitoring, the team will operate a hotline for residents to report suspected immigration enforcement activity. Volunteers received training from a Twin Cities-based nonprofit focused on civil rights protections.
>>Bipartisan Bill Compensates Firefighters Who Get Cancer From Wildfire Smoke
(Washington, DC) — U.S. firefighters who got cancer from working in toxic wildfire smoke are getting compensation from the federal government. A law signed by President Trump on Thursday makes firefighters eligible for a payment of nearly 450-thousand dollars and college tuition for their family if they die or become debilitated from a smoke-related cancer. The bipartisan bill was co-sponsored by Republican Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota and Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, and requires about 20 smoke-related cancers to be automatically treated as line-of-duty injuries.
>>Minnesota Health Department Urges Flu and COVID Vaccinations
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Department of Health is encouraging residents to get vaccinated against both flu and COVID-19. Health Commissioner Dr. Brooke Cunningham says it’s not too late to roll up your sleeve. Officials report flu cases are climbing, with hospitalizations more than doubling since Thanksgiving. Vaccines for flu and the latest COVID strain are available for everyone six months and older.
>>Sartell Police Officer Saves Two Dogs in Burning Home
(Sartell, MN) — A Sarter police officer is credited with saving two dogs from a burning home. Authorities say early reports indicated there was no one in the home, but the two dogs were trapped inside. The responding officer was able to get into the home and get the dogs out safely. Firefighters contained the fire to the second floor. There is significant damage to the home, and the fire is believed to have started where construction was going on.
>>Timberwolves Host Defending NBA Champion Thunder
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Timberwolves play the defending N-B-A champion Oklahoma City Thunder tonight at Target Center. The Wolves fell to 17-and-10 with a 116-110 home loss Wednesday to the Grizzlies. The Thunder improved to 25-and-2 following last night’s 122-101 over the Clippers. Anthony Edwards is listed as questionable again tonight with a foot injury. Ant has missed Minnesota’s last three games.
