>>Request Made To Upgrade Minnesota Prisons
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Department of Corrections officials are seeking funding from lawmakers to repair prisons throughout the state. Governor Walz has requested that $65.5 million be allocated to the Minnesota Department of Corrections (MNDOC) to address repairs at state correctional facilities. These repairs will include fixing safety hazards and upgrading security systems. Department officials reported over 175 projects on hold, awaiting the necessary resources. Lawmakers are in the process of reviewing and adjusting the governor’s budget.
>>Minnesota Woman Dies Of Malaria After Traveling To Uganda
(Loretto, MN) — Friends and family of a Minnesota woman are cherishing fond memories of her after she passed away from malaria following a trip to Africa. A celebration of life ceremony was held Thursday for Loretto resident Khristina Lund, who died earlier this month. She was the founder and CEO of Adored International Ministries, a nonprofit organization that supports children in Uganda. Additionally, Lund served as the head of the Children’s Ministry at Riverwood Covenant Church in Greenfield.
>>Brother Pleads Guilty in Fatal Shooting at Rochester Mall Parking Lot
(Rochester, MN) — The brother of the alleged gunman is pleading guilty for his role in a fatal shooting outside a Rochester shopping mall last February. Police said José Gutierrez Ojeda was fighting with 24-year-old Osbel Orneals when 20-year-old Isaac Gutierrez shot Orneals in the head. Gutierrez was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to five years in prison. Prosecutors say Gutierrez Ojeda entered a guilty plea to felony aiding an offender on Thursday. Investigators said the dispute started over a parking space at the Crossroads Shopping Center.
>>Xcel Says It Will Meet Carbon-Free Law By 2035
(Minneapolis, MN) — Xcel Energy has announced plans to shut down its coal plants to comply with Minnesota’s carbon-free law five years before the 2040 deadline. The utility company could nearly double its wind energy capacity by the end of the decade, as outlined in a new power supply plan approved yesterday by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. Additionally, Xcel plans to construct a new gas plant in 2028. Company President Ryan Long stated they aim to advance their clean energy vision by enhancing their wind and solar resources.
>>Minnesota Timberwolves Begin Post All-Star Play at Houston Rockets
(Houston, TX) — The Minnesota Timberwolves return from the N-B-A All-Star break with a road game tonight (Fri 8:30 pm)at the Houston Rockets. Anthony Edwards represented Minnesota at the All-Star Game Sunday night but didn’t play due to a sore groin. The Wolves beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 116-101 at Target Center last Thursday night. Minnesota is seventh in the Western Conference with a 31-and-25 record.
