>>MN AG Ellison Warns Minnesotans of Romance Scams
(Undated) – Looking for love this Valentine’s Day? Attorney General Keith Ellison says to be careful you don’t fall victim to a romance scam. Ellison says “Be careful about someone who says they can’t meet you in person, and be careful about someone who asks you for money. These things are tell-tell signs and if you are approached this way by anyone, you can contact the Attorney General’s office and we can give you information on what you might do.” Ellison says anyone who falls victim to a scam should contact his office.
>>Col. Langer Leaving as State Patrol Chief
(St. Paul, MN) — State Patrol Chief, Colonel Matt Langer is leaving to take a position as director of global policing for the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and his last day in Minnesota will be April 2nd. Langer joined the State Patrol in 1999 and has been chief for ten years. He says, “Beginning my career with the State Patrol was an easy decision – deciding to leave has been the opposite.” Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson is lauding Langer’s leadership and says he’ll immediately begin the process of naming a new State Patrol chief.
>>MPD Investigates Fatal Shooting
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minneapolis Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting this morning. 4th Precinct officers responded to a homicide around 1:17 a.m. after a ShotSpotter activation in North Minneapolis where they found a man with life-threatening injuries. Lifesaving measures were taken but the man died at the scene. No arrests have yet been made, and anyone with information is encouraged to call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
>>Push for North STAR Act Continues at the Capitol
(St. Paul, MN) – The push for the North Star Act continues at the Capitol despite doubts by legislative leaders that it will pass this session. Erika Zurawski of the North Star Alliance says what people need to understand is the bill highlights “How can the Minnesota government take care of everyone in Minnesota and one of the ways it can do that is, is to protect all of its residents and making sure that our state and local resources aren’t used for federal immigration enforcement.” Zurawski says this means specifically advocating for the avoidance of any type of civil immigration enforcement.
>>SRO Companion Bill Hearing in MN Senate
(St. Paul, MN) – A “fix” for a law that’s unclear about use-of-force by on-site school officers (school resource officers) is stalled in the Minnesota House while a companion bill has a hearing this afternoon in theSenate committee. House Democratic Majority Leader Jamie Long ratchets up his push for allowing any Minnesotan, regardless of income, to purchase health insurance on state-subsidized MinnesotaCare, which opponents warn will force some hospitals to close unless the state increases reimbursement rates. A House committee discusses storms’ effects on insurance premiums, and extending price-gouging penalties to restoration firms and tree trimmers. Another House panel debates a bill requiring schools in the free breakfast and lunch program to give students at least 15 minutes to eat after they’ve received their meal. Long lines at some schools in that popular program have been chewing up lunch periods.
>>NWS Predicts Tonight a Rare Sight of Snow this Winter
(Chanhassen, MN) – Accumulating snow is in the forecast for southern Minnesota today and that has been a rarity this season. National Weather Service Meteorologist Caleb Grunzke says the snow could be plowable from “the Twin Cities south to about Albert Lea there’s a chance for at least two inches and then from Marshall to just north of Mankato to say the Lakeville area – two to four inches.” The southwest corner of Minnesota could see four-plus inches by tomorrow morning. Grunzke says the Twin Cities hasn’t received one inch in any snow event in December, January, and February.
>>St. Cloud State Adds 5th Cannabis Certificate Program
(St. Cloud, MN) — St. Cloud State University is adding a fifth course to its online cannabis certificate programs. The latest option is a certificate in Cannabis Product Development and Design. The course focuses on creating the final products for use and sale including gummies, chocolates, oils, and tinctures. S-C-S-U began offering certificates last fall in Cannabis Healthcare and Medicine, Cannabis Agriculture and Horticulture, the Business of Cannabis, and Cannabis Compliance and Risk Management. The new courses begin in March.
>>MN BWSR Accepting Applications for Water Storage Grants
(Undated) – The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) is doling out $3 million in Water Storage Grant funds to create state-approved, locally adopted water management plans. BWSR Chief Engineer Rita Weaver says it’s a grant local units of government can apply for to put more storage on a landscape, adding “We’re not defining specifically what types of storage can go on it’s more what the storage can do.” Weaver says they want to see water storage reduce flooding, improve water quality, or mitigate climate change impacts. Applications are being accepted until 4:30 p.m. April 11th.
