>>St. Louis County Sheriff’s Deputies Fatally Shoot Suspect in Duluth
(Duluth, MN) — Authorities in northeastern Minnesota are investigating a law enforcement shooting in Duluth that left a suspect dead. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says a deputy tried to pull over a vehicle Tuesday night for reckless driving, but the suspect fled and was later stopped. Investigators say shots were fired by two deputies during the incident and the man driving was struck. First aid was provided but he died at the scene. Officers say a handgun was recovered from the driver’s seat area. The Minnesota B-C-A is assisting with the investigation.
>>Duluth Police Identify Man Fatally Shot in Lincoln Park Neighborhood
(Duluth, MN) — Police in Duluth are naming the man fatally shot Tuesday afternoon in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Officers say the victim is 33-year-old Darius Handy. It is believed the suspect and Handy knew each other. They have not named the suspect. Investigators say they are trying to determine whether this shooting is related to the fatal shooting of a man by St. Louis County deputies last night in Duluth.
>>Poll Finds Most Don’t Agree with Operation Metro Surge
(Minneapolis, MN) — A new KARE 11/Star Tribune/N-B-C News–SurveyMonkey poll shows most Minnesotans feel the country is headed in the wrong direction and hold a negative view of the second Trump administration. The survey found strong opposition in Minnesota to the federal Operation Metro Surge immigration initiative. Overall, 64% of Minnesotans and 65% of national respondents believe the U-S is on the wrong track. When asked about President Trump’s handling of immigration and border security, 59% of Minnesotans said they disapprove, while 41% approve, closely mirroring national results.
>>More Target Protests Planned Wednesday
(Richfield, MN) — More protests are planned at Target stores today (Wed ) throughout the Twin Cities metro. Community members are demanding that Target join the call for ICE and Custom Border Protection agents to leave Minnesota. Protesters want Target to become a “4th Amendment business,” meaning ICE would be allowed onto Target property only with a signed judicial warrant. This demand comes following federal agents entering a Target store last month without a warrant and detaining two U-S citizens.
>>McCollum Criticizes HHS for Cancelling $12 Million in Public Health Grants
(Washington, DC) — Congresswoman Betty McCollum is criticizing the White House for cancelling more than 12 million dollars in public health grants for Minnesota. The U-S Department of Health and Human Services plans to cut a total of 600 million dollars in grants to Minnesota, California, Colorado, and Illinois. McCollum accused H-H-S of sitting on their hands amid a measles outbreak and said, “it is outrageous that the Trump Administration is now punishing Democratic states by stripping funding for our public health systems.” A spokesperson for H-H-S said the grants are being terminated because they don’t reflect the agency’s priorities.
>>Smith Speaks Out Against Bill to Lift Ban on Mining near BWCA
(Washington, DC) — U-S Senator Tina Smith is speaking out against a bill that would lift a 20-year ban on mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. The resolution sponsored by Republican Congressman Pete Stauber could come up for a Senate vote next week. Smith says, “their plan is to allow a Chilean mining conglomerate to come in, mine the copper, it will almost certainly result in pollution to this precious place. And then they’re going to ship the copper most likely to China and then sell it back to the United States.” Supporters argue a copper-nickel mine can be done safely and the project will create thousands of jobs.
>>MPCA Releases Updated Climate Action Framework
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is releasing its updated 2026 Climate Action Framework today. It’s a plan state leaders say will cut greenhouse gas emissions and better protect residents as climate impacts grow. The framework expands on the original 2022 plan that helped launch more than 40 climate laws and programs. Officials say the update was shaped over the past year and a half with input from hundreds of Minnesotans, local governments, and businesses.
>>Wrenshall School Board Chair Carlson Running for Minnesota Senate
(Wrenshall, MN) — Democrat Mary Carlson is challenging Republican state Senator Jason Rarick of Pine City in District 11 this fall. Carlson chairs the Wrenshall School Board and owns a wedding planning business in Duluth. She says in a news release that her campaign will focus on education, economic opportunity, rural vitality, and pragmatic problem solving rooted in community values. Rarick won a special Senate election in 2019 and was re-elected in 2022.
>>Grand Marais Grocery Store Worker Accused of Stabbing Customer Found Competent
(Grand Marais, MN) — A Grand Marais grocery store worker accused of stabbing a customer has been found competent to stand trial. Thirty-three-year-old Donovan Vondall faces attempted second-degree murder and assault charges for the December 27th attack at the Cook County Co-op. Vondall, who has a history of schizophrenia, admitted stabbing the man, saying he was triggered by the customer’s facial expression. The victim told investigators he noticed Vondall looked agitated before feeling a “sharp punch” to his jaw and realizing he’d been stabbed.
>>Small Fire at St. Cloud Charter School
(St. Cloud, MN) — A small fire Tuesday afternoon prompted the evacuation of Stride Academy charter school in St. Cloud. Staff members reported smelling smoke inside the building and activated the fire alarm. Classes had already ended for the day, and everyone inside was able to evacuate safely. Firefighters traced the source of the smoke to a small fire in the school’s attic space. The blaze had already been extinguished by the building’s sprinkler system by the time crews made entry. The fire is believed to have been caused by a malfunctioning bathroom ventilation fan.
>>St. Paul Native Rich Ruohonen Becomes Oldest US Winter Olympian
(St. Paul, MN) — St. Paul native Rich Ruohonen is officially the oldest U-S Winter Olympian in history. The 54-year-old is representing Team U-S-A in curling at the Games in Milan. Off the ice, Ruohonen is a well-known personal injury attorney in the Twin Cities. He has contemplated retirement several times, including after narrowly missing qualification for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. The U-S men’s curling team faces the Czech Republic today.
>>Olympics Inspiring Minnesotans to Ski and Snowboard
(Kimball, MN) — The Winter Olympics in Italy are inspiring people in Minnesota to try skiing and snowboarding. Shelby Hedtke of Powder Ridge Ski Resort in Kimball says they are seeing increased interest. She says phone calls and lesson popularity right now is spiking rapidly. Hedtke says now that it is on T-V they’re starting to inquire like wanting to learn more, give it a try. Powder Ridge will be open until mid-March.
