>>Bill Allowing Legal Action for Civil Rights Violations Stalls in Minnesota House
(St. Paul, MN) — A bill that would have given Minnesotans a way to sue federal officials for civil rights violations has failed to advance at the State Capitol. D-F-L Representative Jamie Long says recent federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota shows the need for the measure. Supporters argue there’s currently no reliable path to hold federal agents accountable for unconstitutional actions. Republican committee co-chair Peggy Scott of Andover warned the bill would lead to costly lawsuits against the state. Legal experts, including UW-Madison’s Harrison Stark, say it’s now harder than ever to sue federal officials for civil rights violations.
>>Public Safety Committee Approves Enhanced Penalties for Impersonating an Officer
(St. Paul, MN) — A proposal approved by the House Public Safety Committee enhances the criminal penalties for impersonating a member of law enforcement. Representative Kristin Bahner of Maple Grove is one of the authors. Investigators say the man who shot the Hortmans and Hoffmans in June was dressed as a police officer. Police said Vance Boelter also visited Bahner’s home, but she was on vacation. The bill increases current misdemeanor offenses to gross misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors to felonies, and increases the maximum prison sentence for felony offenses by five years.
>>House Committee Hearing on Bill to Repeal State Preemption of Gun Ordinances
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota House Elections Committee will consider a bill today (Wed) that would repeal state pre-emption of gun regulations at a local level. D-F-L Representative Dave Pinto of St. Paul will present the bill at the hearing. The St. Paul City Council passed an ordinance in November banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, but it is unenforceable because state law does not allow cities to make their own regulations. Rochester and Minneapolis are part of a coalition of 17 cities hoping to adopt gun prevention ordinances.
>>Report Finds Workers Lost $106 Million During Operation Metro Surge
(St. Paul, MN) — A new report suggests that workers in the Twin Cities lost an estimated 106 million dollars in wage during Operation Metro Surge. Data from North Star Policy Action and the W-E Upjohn Institute for Employment Research show the number of employees declined by 2.8 percent from January 3rd to February 17th. The research also found the total number of hours worked dropped by 1.9 percent and the number of businesses operating fell by 1.7 percent. There were three thousand federal agents in Minnesota during the immigration crackdown.
>>New Details Released in Belgrade Shooting
(Belgrade, MN) — New details today about a weekend shooting near Belgrade in Stearns County. Prosecutors say 44-year-old James Basore is charged with attempted second-degree murder and assault after deputies say he shot a man outside his home Saturday. Bail has been set at one-million dollars. The victim had gone to the door and got no answer. When he returned to his vehicle, Basore allegedly walked up and opened fire, hitting him multiple times. Basore’s mother called authorities and he later surrendered. Family members told investigators Basore had been struggling with meth and believed people were “messing with his house.”
>>Autopsy Finds Missing Rochester Woman Died of Hypothermia
(Rochester, MN) — An autopsy report shows a missing Rochester woman whose body was found on February 7th died of hypothermia. The Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner’s Office says 28-year-old Feroza Sherzai suffered injuries caused by prolonged exposure cold weather. Sherzai was reported missing on January 26th, and her body was located in a wooded area near the Highway 63/Highway 30 interchange. Her death was classified as accidental.
>>Garrison Woman Dies in Two Vehicle Accident on Icy Highway 169
(Garrison, MN) — A woman from Garrison is dead after sliding into oncoming traffic on an icy curve Tuesday morning near Lake Mille Lacs. The Minnesota State Patrol says the southbound driver lost control on Highway 169 and was hit broadside by a northbound vehicle. The driver, 50-year-old Nicole Freeman of Garrison, died at the scene. The 42-year-old Isle man driving the other vehicle had non-life threatening injuries.
>>St. Cloud Snowboarder Schultz Prepares for Paralympic Games
(St. Cloud, MN) — St. Cloud snowboarder Mike Schultz is preparing for his third straight Paralympic Games for Team U-S-A. Forty-four-year-old Schultz will compete in the snowboard boardercross March 7th and 8th in Cortina, Italy and the banked slalom event on March 14th. He won a gold and silver medal in 2018 and a silver in 2022. Schultz suffered a life-altering knee injury during a snowmobile competition in 2008 that resulted in the amputation of his left leg above the knee. He plans to retire after the 2026 Milan Cortina Paralympics.
>>Wolves Top Blazers to Open Three-Game Road Trip
(Portland, OR) — The Minnesota Timberwolves topped the Portland Trail Blazers 124-121 last night to kick off a three-game road trip. Anthony Edwards had a game-high 34 points and Jaden McDaniels scored 29. Minnesota improved to 36-23 and has won four of its last five games. The Wolves play Thursday night at the L-A Clippers and Sunday at the Denver Nuggets.
