>>Minnesota State Budget Forecast Shows Improvement
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota’s state budget outlook appears to be improving. The Minnesota Management and Budget Office released the February forecast today and it shows a larger surplus for the years of 2026-27 at $3.7 billion. This is an increase of $1.3 billion from the November forecast. However, officials say spending growth outpaces revenue growth for fiscal year 2029. The projected balance for 2028-29 is now $377 million, but the M-M-B warns a significant structural imbalance remains. More details are expected this afternoon when the entire budget forecast comes out.
>>Bill Bringing Whole, 2% Milk Back to Minnesota Schools Advances in Senate
(St. Paul, MN) — A bill to bring whole and two-percent milk back into Minnesota schools is moving through the state legislature. It aligns with federal law that allows students more choices for milk. Republican Senator Torrey Westrom of Alexandria calls this a win-win for students and dairy farmers. Westrom says whole milk and two-percent milk is currently not allowed to be served in our school districts to the chagrin of many students, parents, and dairy farmers. The bill was approved by the Senate Agriculture Committee and is heading to the Education Policy Committee for further discussion.
>>Sixth-Month Anniversary of Annunciation School and Church Shooting
(Minneapolis, MN) — Today marks six months since the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School and Church in Minneapolis. Teachers, parents, and students had a singalong Thursday at the State Capitol and did an emotional version of “Amazing Grace.” Students Harper Moyski and Fletcher Merkel died in the August 27th shooting and more than 20 others were wounded. Annunciation families have been testifying at Minnesota House and Senate hearings on gun safety legislation. Desks are lined up outside and inside the State Capitol to represent the student victims.
>>State Patrol Makes Major Fentanyl Bust During I-90 Traffic Stop
(Albert Lea, MN) — The Minnesota State Patrol is reporting a major fentanyl bust during a traffic stop on Interstate 90 near Albert Lea. State troopers stopped a car for speeding and notice signs of possible drug activity last Friday. A K-9 unit and the Minnesota B-C-A helped them find nine packages containing around 50 thousand fentanyl pills. Investigators say this seizure disrupted the supply of fentanyl in Minnesota and may have prevented overdose deaths.
>>Pine County Traffic Stop Nets a Pound of Methamphetamine
(Pine City, MN) — A woman from Isle is jailed on drug charges following a traffic stop in Pine County. Sheriff’s deputies and East Central Drug Task Force members stopped a car Wednesday and discovered about a pound of methamphetamine in the vehicle. The driver – Megan Jerry – was arrested and booked on suspicion of first-degree possession and sale of a controlled substance. The Pine County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement, “If you’re traveling through our area, please remember: buckle up, drive safe… and leave the illegal substances at home.”
>>33rd Annual Grumpy Old Men Festival in Wabasha
(Wabasha, MN) — The 33rd annual Grumpy Old Men Festival is drawing thousands of people to Wabasha this weekend. Abby Oxendine of the Wabasha Kellogg Area Chamber says the town embraces the festival and it’s a way to honor the film’s legacy. She says it brings a lot of business to Wabasha and helps downtown businesses thrive. The 1993 movie starring Jack Lemon and Walter Matthau is showing today and tomorrow (Fri& Sat) at the National Eagle Center. Other activities include a fishing tournament, curling, the Grumpy Plunge in the Mississippi River, and a polka dance party.
>>Authors for Minnesota Day Raising Money for Immigrant Rights
(Minneapolis, MN) — Nearly 60 Minnesota authors across 24 bookstores are holding Authors for Minnesota Day tomorrow (Sat), to sign books and talk civic support. Author Jessica Lourey says you meet local authors at each shop and help raise money for the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota and the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota Immigration Rapid Response Fund. Those who make a donation will get a free book. She says all the stores listed and more information can be found on their Facebook Events Page. The bookstores are spread across Anoka, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Northfield, Hopkins, Grand Marais, North Branch, Excelsior, Austin, White Bear Lake, Lakeville, Cambridge, Stillwater, and Elk River.
>>New Hope Man Wins $95,000 North 5 Jackpot
(New Hope, MN) — A longtime Minnesota lottery player who immigrated from Liberia has claimed a nearly 96-thousand-dollar North 5 jackpot. He matched all winning numbers in Tuesday’s drawing. The unnamed winner says he’s been playing the lottery since his days in Liberia and never stopped after moving to the U-S in 2000. He plans to use the winnings to help his son with an upcoming wedding and to take his daughter on a long-awaited trip to Liberia.
>>Olympic Gold Medal Winner Hughes to Appear on SNL and Jimmy Fallon
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Wild defenseman and Olympic gold medal winner Quinn Hughes is set to make some national T-V appearances. Hughes will appear on “Saturday Night Live” this weekend and “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on Monday night. Wild G-M Bill Guerin confirmed that Hughes will travel to New York Saturday for S-N-L and then fly back to Minnesota for Sunday’s home game against St. Louis. He will return to New York City Monday and be back for Tuesday’s matchup with Tampa at Grand Casino Arena. Hughes helped lead Team U-S-A to its first Olympic gold medal since 1980.
