>>UnitedHealthcare CEO Thompson Fatally Shot in New York City
(New York, NY) — UnitedHealthcare C-E-O Brian Thompson is dead after a shooting this (Wed) morning outside a New York City hotel. Officers say 50-year-old Thompson was shot multiple times and died in the hospital. The suspect was wearing all black and a ski mask and fled the scene on an e-bike. Investigators say the man had been waiting for Thompson and this was a “premeditated, preplanned, targeted attack.” Police say three live and three discharged gun casings were found in Central Park. The shooting was captured on video. Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare says Thompson was in New York for an investor’s conference.
>> Minnesota Leaders React to Killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO
(Undated) — Minnesota’s political leaders are reacting to the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare C-E-O Brian Thompson this morning in New York City. U-S Senator Amy Klobuchar posted on social media, “This is a horrifying and shocking act of violence. My thoughts are with Brian Thompson’s family and loved ones and all those working at United Healthcare in Minnesota.” Senator Tina Smith called it a “horrifying tragedy.” And Congressman Dean Phillips posted, “I’m horrified by the assassination of my constituent, Brian Thompson, this morning in NYC and have his family in my prayers.”
>>State Budget Forecast Shows $616 Million Surplus for 2026-2027
(St. Paul, MN) — The latest economic forecast just released (Wed) shows what Minnesota officials’ term “a growing structural imbalance” in the state budget “throughout the… planning horizon.” Officials predict a 616-million-dollar balance at the end of the fiscal year 2026-27 biennium — 1.1 billion dollars less than prior estimates. They say it’s due to projected reductions in income and sales tax revenues, plus higher spending for long-term care and special education.
>>GOP House Leader Demuth Responds to New State Budget Forecast
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota House Republican Leader Lisa Demuth is responding to the new budget forecast showing a 616-million-dollar surplus. Demuth said in a statement, “While the budget is stable this biennium, it’s obvious that spending reductions are needed to prevent a deficit down the road.” She added that House Republicans are putting state agencies on notice and called on them to find savings and root out waste and fraud.
>>Council Member Koski Running for Minneapolis Mayor
(Minneapolis, MN) — Another candidate is throwing their hat in the ring for the Minneapolis mayoral race. Minneapolis City Council member Emily Koski announced today that she is running for mayor. Koski says current mayor Jacob Frey has been unable to work with the City Council and frames every issue as “us versus them”. Koski’s father, Al Hofstede, was elected to serve as Minneapolis mayor in the 1970s. Reverend DeWayne Davis and Senator Omar Fateh have also launched mayoral runs, while Frey has said he plans to run for re-election.
>>Duluth Fire Department Selling Calendars for K9 Officer Jack
(Duluth, MN) — The Duluth Fire Department is selling calendars to raise money for K-9 Officer Jack. The 2025 calendars feature 20 firefighters along with their dogs. The funds raised go to the Duluth Fire Foundation to help pay for Jack’s vet bills and training. Jack is the department’s arson investigation K-9. The calendars cost 20 dollars or 25 if you wanted one shipped.
>>Last Barge on Upper Mississippi River Leaves Minnesota
(Undated) — The Army Corps of Engineers says the last tow boat of the season on the Upper Mississippi River is now on its way to St. Louis. Lock and dam operator Joel Herman says the Motor Vessel Ashley Danielson struggled Tuesday breaking through the ice from Lake Pepin all the way through the district in southern Minnesota. There was three-inch thick ice around Lock and Dam 6. Herman says the Corps’ dredge also had some issues getting through ice yesterday while coming north on the river.
