>>MN Supreme Court Hears Challenge To Governor’s Emergency Powers
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Supreme Court is being asked to determine if Governor Tim Walz exceeded his authority when he issued a statewide mask mandate during the pandemic. The high court heard arguments Thursday from a case that was originally filed in Ramsey County in 2020. The lawsuit challenges the governor’s interpretation of a 1996 law giving his office emergency powers. The state says the governor has the authority to act broadly in a public health emergency. The group that filed the lawsuit says the governor used powers that should only be exercised by the legislature.
>>Woman Pleads Guilty to Moving Human Remains In Mille Lacs County
(Mille Lacs County, MN) — A woman has entered a guilty plea to charges she helped move human remains in Mille Lacs County last year. Alexis Elling pleaded guilty Thursday to a charge of aiding an offender after the fact and will be required to testify against her boyfriend in court. Investigators claim Bradley Weyaus killed a man last March, then placed him in a tote and carried his body to the shore of Mille Lacs Lake. Elling told police that she did not help Weyaus put the body in the tote, but she did help move it to the lake. Her sentencing date has not been set, but she is expected to avoid prison as part of the plea agreement.
>>Sheriff Says Thorough Investigation Led to Delayed Charges In Deadly Buggy Crash
(Fillmore County, MN) — The sheriff of Fillmore County says a thorough investigation led to delayed charges for a deadly crash involving a horse-drawn buggy. Charges were announced this week against Sarah Petersen, who is accused of driving a vehicle while impaired and crashing into the buggy near Racine last September. Two children were killed in the crash and two others were badly hurt. Her twin sister Sarah is also charged with trying to take responsibility for the crash. Yesterday, Sheriff John DeGeorge said that he understood public frustration over the delay in charges. But he said cellphone records, blood tests, and other pieces of evidence needed to be in place before any charges would stand up in court.
>>Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office Loses K-9 Officer to Cancer
(Rochester, MN) — The Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office in southeastern Minnesota is mourning the loss of a veteran K-9 officer. Police dog Cobra served the department for nearly a decade and has won national, state, and regional K-9 trials. Officials say Cobra’s medical condition was deteriorating due to cancer and they had to put him down. They say he died peacefully this morning (Fri) and was surrounded by those who love him, namely his handler, Sergeant Adam Waletzki.
>>Three Finalists Named for President of Winona State University
(Winona, MN) — There are now three finalists to become the next president of Winona State University. Minnesota State officials say the final three are Mary Bonderoff of the State University of New York, Delhi; Karim Ismaili from Bridgewater State University Massachusetts; and interim Winona State president Kenneth Janz. The candidates are visiting campus next week. Former Winona State president Scott Olson is the chancellor at Minnesota State. The Board of Trustees is expected to consider his recommendation for president at its March 20th meeting.
>>Owatonna Firefighter Helps Rescue Deer That Fell Through Ice
(Owatonna, MN) — A firefighter in Owatonna is in the spotlight after they helped rescue a deer that fell through thin ice. The Owatonna Fire Department posted a video Thursday showing the firefighter assisting the DNR. The unidentified firefighter was wearing a rescue suit as he waded into chest-deep water to lift the deer up and onto thicker ice. The deer lay flat on the ice for a while, leading the firefighter to climb out of the water and push the deer toward shore. The fire department says the deer eventually got to its feet and walked into the woods.
>>Ex-Vikings Coach Zimmer is the New Cowboys Defensive Coordinator
(Frisco, TX) — Former Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer will be the new defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys. Sixty-seven-year-old Zimmer went 72-56-and- 1 in eight seasons in Minnesota. He spent 13 years in the Cowboys organization from 1994 to 2006. Zimmer will take over for former Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who is the new head coach of the Washington Commanders.
