>>Walz Touts Study Ranking Minnesota Second-Best State to Raise a Family
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz is touting a new report that ranks Minnesota as the second-best state to raise a family. The WalletHub study looked at 50 indicators including affordability, health and safety, education and child care, and socioeconomic factors. Walz said in a statement, “when parents can afford child care, take paid time to care for a baby or loved one, access innovative and quality health care, and trust their kids are receiving a world-class education, families thrive.” The study also found children in Minnesota benefit from access to parks and recreational spaces, contributing to healthy lifestyles and overall well-being.
>>Gun Rights Advocates Oppose Bills Banning Semiautomatic Rifles in Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) — Bills introduced in the House and Senate this session would ban most semiautomatic firearms in the state. Bryan Strawser of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus says the Annunciation School and Church is in both the authors’ districts. He says,” the short title is possession of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons banned, and the penalty is a felony for which you can be sentenced to not more than five years or payment of a fine not more than 25 thousand dollars.” The parents of Annunciation students are urging lawmakers to pass gun safety legislation. Hamline University Professor David Schultz says a ban on assault weapons has little chance of passing the divided legislature.
>>Minnesota House Committee to Consider OIG Bill Again Tuesday
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota House picks up the Office of Inspector General bill again Tuesday in committee. Senate author, Heather Gustafson of Vadnais Heights, says the office needs to be independent and transparent at all times. She says,” the O-I-G cannot work within the agencies. Yes, they’ll coordinate with each other when needed, but this has to be an independent watchdog of our tax dollars.” The Senate passed the bill 60-7 last year, but it failed to even come up for floor discussion or a vote in the House.
>>Driver Suffers Life-Threatening Injuries in Car vs. Train Crash in Wilkin County
(Breckenridge, MN) — A man from Wheaton is fighting for his life after his vehicle and a train collided in western Minnesota’s Wilkin County. The State Patrol reported a car driven by 42-year-old Jesse Vetovich was southbound on Highway 75 Friday when it collided with a westbound train at an intersection south of Breckenridge. Troopers say Vetovich was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The roads were snow- and ice-covered at the time.
>>Norwood Young America Man Charged with Tax, Benefits Fraud
(St. Paul, MN) — A Norwood Young America man faces multiple felony charges for tax crimes and illegally receiving public assistance. Carver County prosecutors charged Andrew Freeburg with six tax-related felonies, along with five felony counts for wrongfully obtaining SNAP and medical assistance benefits. Investigators say Freeburg failed to file his 2022 return, filed false returns for four other years, and ran a fake business, E-Motors, to cover personal expenses like dining and travel. His filings allegedly underreported income by nearly two million dollars, and he owes more than 186,000 dollars in taxes from 2020 through 2024. The complaint also says Freeburg received over 40,000 dollars in benefits he wasn’t eligible for while earning too much to qualify.
>>Hughes Celebrates Olympic Gold Medal, Praises Brother Jack
(Milan, IT) — Quinn Hughes of the Minnesota Wild is being honored as the best defenseman of the Winter Olympics in Italy. Hughes says winning the gold medal for the U-S is very special. He told reporters in Milan, “It was for everyone. It was for our team. It’s for everyone back home. It’s for our troops who allow us to play this game. And it was for Johnny (Gaudreau). He would have been here obviously, and just for all those people.” Hughes says he and his brother, Jack, never dreamed about scoring the winning goals in overtime of two Olympic games. Quinn said Jack is a guy who wants those big time moments and he had a feeling his brother was going to make a play.
>>Twins at Tigers in Grapefruit League Play
(Lakeland, FL) — The Minnesota Twins are taking on the Detroit Tigers in spring training today (Mon) in Lakeland, Florida. The Twins are 1-1 so far in the Grapefruit League play after beating Atlanta 8-1 Sunday. Alan Roden hit a grand slam to pace the Minnesota offense. The Tigers tied Baltimore yesterday and are 0-1-and-1. Twins’ right-hander Mick Abel is starting pitcher at Publix Field at Joker Merchant Stadium.
