>>Man Dies in Duluth Rollover Crash Sunday Morning
(Duluth, MN) — Police in Duluth are investigating a fatal rollover crash. Officers located a vehicle upside down Sunday morning with the driver inside. The report says 26-year-old Logan Woock was wearing his seatbelt but died at the scene. Investigators say they are still trying to determine what happened.
>>MN BCA Investigates Willmar Police Shooting
(Willmar, MN) – The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension continues to investigate a police shooting in Willmar. Two blocks of downtown Willmar were blocked off for most of the day Sunday after police and B-C-A officers investigated a shooting incident that began shortly after 8 am when an officer responded to a call of a person being threatened by a man with a knife. While the officer was talking to the victim, the man with the knife appeared out of a doorway and came at the officer. The officer shot the man several times and he is now hospitalized in the Twin Cities. His name and current condition are not available. The officer had minor injuries and was treated at the scene.
>>MN Senate to Choose New Majority Leader as Dziedzic’s Cancer Returns
(St. Paul, MN) – With only one week until lawmakers begin the 2024 legislative session in Saint Paul, Senate Democrats must choose a new majority leader because Kari Dziedzic is stepping down due to a recurrence of cancer. Hamline University political analyst David Schultz says the question is, can the next majority leader hold Senate Democrats together on many controversial votes, as Dziedzic did in 2023? Schultz notes “Depending on whether or not she is even able to show up for votes, there may be many critical votes where the Democrats just don’t have the 34 votes they need to be able to move their agenda.” Schultz notes Democrats have a razor-thin one-vote majority in the Minnesota Senate.
>>End of Labor, Delivery Services at Fosston Essentia Health May Cost the Hospital’s Contract
(Fosston, MN) – The decision to end labor and delivery services in Fosston could cost Essentia Health its contract to operate the northwest Minnesota hospital. Mayor Jim Offerdahl says the dispute is likely headed to an arbitration hearing next week, “We don’t know what the decision of that panel will be and it’s a moot point because our agreement says at the end of arbitration that if we’re not satisfied with the result we can terminate the agreement.” He says other healthcare organizations would be willing to provide services as an affiliate of the city-owned hospital. Terminating the agreement with Essentia would turn the operation of the hospital back to the city’s 501-3-C, First Care Medical Services.
>>Changes to MN Child Tax Credit Allows Eligible Families to Receive $1,750 Per Child
(St. Paul, MN) – As tax season begins to kick into high gear, State Revenue Commissioner Paul Marquart says there are some new changes to the child tax credit where a qualifying Minnesota family can now receive up to $1,750 per child. Marquart says there is no limit to the number of eligible children a taxpayer can claim. In addition, this is a refundable credit, meaning you can receive a refund even if you do not owe tax. More information can be found on the Minnesota Department of Revenue’s website.
>>U of M Board of Regents to Choose Next President Finalists Friday
(Minneapolis, MN) – A major step later this week toward choosing the next president of the University of Minnesota, when the Board of Regents decides whether to move forward with four finalists recommended by a search committee — at which point the candidate names become public. Regent Mary Davenport says the search committee agreed unanimously on the four recommended finalists. Davenport anticipates more than one finalist will be chosen — unlike in 2018 when Joan Gabel was the only candidate in the final round. Finalists chosen by the Board of Regents will participate in public forums at the University’s five campuses, followed by private interviews. Davenport expects a final decision by late February, with a July 1st target date for the U-of-M’s next president to take over.
>>MN BWSR Accepting Applications for Fall 2024 Lawns to Legumes Program
(Undated) – The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources is accepting applications for its fall 2024 Lawns to Legumes projects. Senior Ecologist Dan Shaw explains the program provides people with cost-share funding, workshops, coaching, and gardening resources to “ increase habitats for at-risk pollinators through planting in residential landscapes.” Applications will be accepted through May 15th. Shaw says if you’ve previously applied for the program, you will need to reapply to be considered for fall 2024 funding.
>>BWCA’s Open Availability for 2024 Season
(BWCA, MN) – Quota permits for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area’s points of entry are on sale now – and plenty are still up for grabs. Cathy Quinn is the B-W-C-A’s acting Wilderness Program Manager says “There’s a ton of availability. I mean, I’d say approximately half of the available permits for the quota season are still available.” This year’s season runs from May 1st to September 30th. To purchase a quota permit, visit recreation.gov.
