>>Minnesota Democrats Sued By GOP Members Amid Ongoing House Stalemate

(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Republicans attempt to recall defiant Democratic House members as they boycott the 2025 legislative session. It’s now the fourth week of the session, and the DFL continues to protest the GOP’s plan to continue with a temporary, one-seat majority in the House. The House could end up tied after a special election to replace DFL member Curtis Johnson, who resigned when he did not fit residency requirements. Meanwhile, until that special election, the Minnesota GOP plans to recall 66 Democrats who, according to Republicans, “refuse to fulfill their constitutional duties.”

>>AG Files Racketeering, Wage Theft Charges Against Owner of Paynesville Dairy

(Paynesville, MN) — The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office charges the owner of Evergreen Acres Dairy in Paynesville with felony racketeering and wage theft. The criminal complaint alleges that Keith Schaefer and others systematically deprived employees of their wages, including not paying for overtime or the full amount of regular hours worked. Schaefer is also accused of threatening workers for raising concerns about wages and injuries suffered at work. Attorney General Keith Ellison previously sued Evergreen Acres and Schaefer under civil law for failing to pay wages, overtime, and other violations.

>>Hockey Coach, Police Officer, In Critical Condition After Freak Accident

(Lakeville, MN) — A Lakeville Police lieutenant and high school hockey coach is still hospitalized after an accident on the ice last Friday. According to reports, 44-year-old Jason Jensen slipped and fell on the ice during practice. He suffered a fractured skull and traumatic brain injury. Jensen was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, as it is not a requirement, but teams are implementing rule changes in the wake of the accident.

>>Tractors Damaged in Monday’s Fire in Stearns County

(Eden Lake Township, MN) — A Stearns County fire destroyed one tractor and damaged two others Monday in Eden Lake Township. Twenty-seven-year-old John Salzl arrived at the farm to find flames coming out of the cab of a Ford tractor parked inside a canvas-style hoop shed. The sheriff’s office says 59-year-old Rodney Salzl of Eden Valley had plugged the tractor in the night before. No one was hurt in the fire, but the flames damaged two other tractors parked nearby and the canvas covering the shed.

>>Metro Transit Reports 6% Increase in Rides on Light Rail and Buses

(Minneapolis, MN) — Metro Transit is reporting a nearly six percent in ridership in 2024 on buses and light-rail trains. Over 47.5 million rides were provided last year, and weekday ridership averaged 143 thousand passengers. Nearly 15.5 million people rode a light-rail train, and just under 32 million hopped on a bus. There were also many big events in the Twin Cities, including the U-S Olympic Gymnastics trials, the Big Ten basketball tournaments, World Cup ski races, Timberwolves and Lynx playoff basketball, and major concerts.

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