>>Opening Day of Session Will Remember Hortman, Celebrate Hoffman
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Legislature gavels in at noon today (Tues) but Hamline University political science Professor David Schultz says not a lot of business will get done on opening day of the session. Schultz says, “Think of Tuesday as where everybody does hugs and kisses and celebrates Hortman and Hoffman and then after that perhaps we’re going to see the tougher battles emerging.” The House floor session will be dedicated to fallen Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. The Minnesota Senate will honor and celebrate Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.
>>AG Ellison Issues Letter Honoring Late Speaker Hortman
(St. Paul, MN) — Attorney General Keith Ellison is calling for unity and purpose as lawmakers return to the Capitol today (Tues), issuing an open letter for the 2026 legislative session. Ellison reflected on the death of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman, who was killed along with her husband in what he called “tragic and senseless violence.” Ellison shared a story from early in Hortman’s career, praising her work as a Legal Aid attorney. “Before either one of us held public office, Melissa Hortman was already fighting and winning for people who needed a champion,” he wrote, noting her landmark win in a race-based housing discrimination case. He said Hortman carried that same courage into public service, fighting for working families, education, and equality. Ellison urged lawmakers to honor her legacy by continuing her commitment to justice and the common good.
>>Civil Rights Activist Jesse Jackson Dies
(Chicago, IL) — Minnesotans are among those mourning the loss of the Reverend Jesse Jackson. The famed civil rights activist, ordained Baptist minister, and former presidential candidate died overnight at age 84. Jackson had been dealing with a progressive neurodegenerative disease for the past decade. Jackson’s last documented visit to Minnesota was on May 28th, 2020, when he spoke at Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Minneapolis. His appearance was part of community gatherings and civil rights engagement following the police killing of George Floyd.
>>Authorities Recover Body Believed to be Missing International Falls Man
(International Falls, MN) — Authorities in far northern Minnesota are investigating the discovery of a body near International Falls. The Koochiching County Sheriff’s Office says the body found Monday near a trail along Highway 11 is believed to be 66-year-old Mark Rood. Deputies say Rood’s car was found in the area on January 27th. He was last seen January 19th in International Falls. The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office is working to positively identify the remains.
>>Old Man Winter Returns to Minnesota
(Duluth, MN) — Winter is making a strong comeback in Minnesota, with some North Shore communities expected to see more than a foot of snow through Thursday evening. A Blizzard Warning is in effect for a narrow stretch of the North Shore from 9 p.m. today through noon Thursday, with 10–18 inches of snow and wind gusts up to 60 mph. Most of the Arrowhead is under a Winter Storm Warning, expecting 4–8 inches, with 10–15 inches in higher terrain. Winds may gust to 50 mph. Farther west, northern Minnesota counties are under a Winter Storm Watch for 4–7 inches of snow and up to one-tenth inch of ice, with winds up to 40 mph. South of Brainerd, snowfall will be minimal, but freezing rain and even a few thunder rumbles are possible.
>>Fifth Defendant Convicted in Statewide Meth Trafficking Case
(St. Paul, MN) — A 47-year-old Minnesota man is the fifth defendant convicted in a large-scale meth trafficking conspiracy tied to a Mexican cartel. Federal prosecutors say Eric Rodriguez was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute meth and possession with intent to distribute. Investigators say he worked with the Sinaloa Cartel, which moved large shipments of meth into Minnesota from April 2024 through March 2025. Agents seized about 60 pounds of meth, 1,500 fentanyl pills, and more than 20 thousand dollars during the yearlong investigation. Rodriguez was arrested after officers found three pounds of meth during a coordinated traffic stop in November 2025. Evidence at trial showed he received dozens of additional pounds for distribution.
>>30 Semifinalists Picked for 2026 Minnesota Teacher of the Year
(St. Paul, MN) — The field of candidates for Minnesota Teacher of the Year is narrowed down to 30. An independent panel chose the semifinalists from an initial field of 128 educators from across the state. That panel will review the semifinalists’ portfolios and video submissions in mid-March and then select ten finalists. Reigning Minnesota Teacher of the Year Linda Wallenberg of Eden Prairie will announce her successor at the banquet on May 3rd. The list of semifinalists is on the Education Minnesota website.
>>Minnesota Doctors Urge Parents to Get Kids Vaccinated Against Measles
(Minneapolis, MN) — Health officials in the state are urging Minnesota parents to get their kids vaccinated against measles. Doctor Steven Smedshammer at Children’s Minnesota says the M-M-R vaccine is very safe. He says, “individuals who receive two doses, typically given at age one and age four, are protected in about 98 percent of cases from ever contracting measles.” Smedshammer says the most common myth about the M-M-R vaccine is that it causes autism or any other neurodevelopmental disorder. There have been two cases of measles in Minnesota this year and more than 900 in the U-S.
>>Bassmaster College Championship Coming to Leech Lake in August
(Walker, MN) — The Leech Lake Area Chamber of Commerce in Walker is hosting the 2026 Strike King Bassmaster College Championship this August. B.A.S.S Tournament Manager Glenn Cale said, “We are excited to bring the College Championship to Minnesota for the first time and to showcase Leech Lake to a national audience.” The event features the top teams from across the nation who have advanced through the Bassmaster College Series. Leech Lake is known as a world-class walleye designation but also features a strong and growing largemouth and smallmouth bass population.
>>University of Minnesota Men’s Basketball at Oregon
(Eugene, OR) — The University of Minnesota men’s basketball team plays late tonight (Tues 9:40pm) at Oregon. The Golden Gophers fell to 4-11 in the Big Ten following Saturday night’s 69-57 loss at Washington. Minnesota starting forward Jaylen Crocker-Johnson will miss another game with a foot injury. The Ducks improved to 2-12 in conference play with an 83-72 victory over Penn State on Saturday.
>>Lindsey Vonn Returns to US After Winter Olympics Injury
(Undated) — Minnesota-native Lindsey Vonn is back in the country following her catastrophic injury at the Winter Olympics. In a social media post, Vonn said she’s still not able to stand, but being back on home soil feels amazing. Vonn underwent four surgeries in Italy after suffering a broken leg when she crashed just seconds into a downhill run on February 8th. That came just over a week after she ruptured her A-C-L. Vonn says she has no regrets about trying to compete at the Winter Olympics.
