>>Speaker Demuth Officially Wins GOP Gubernatorial Straw Poll
(Edina, MN) — All the ballots are now counted and House Speaker Lisa Demuth is officially the winner of Tuesday night’s G-O-P gubernatorial straw poll. Demuth received nearly 32 percent of the votes, Kendall Qualls got just over 25 percent, Mike Lindell had more than 17 percent, and Scott Jensen was a distant fourth with 6.4 percent. Nearly six percent of Republican caucusgoers were undecided about a candidate for governor. Kristin Robbins had 4.2 percent support and Phil Parish got almost four percent of the votes.
>>Two Columbia Heights Students Return After ICE Detention in Texas
(Columbia Heights, MN) — Two Columbia Heights students are back home after nearly a week in ICE detention in Texas. The second- and fifth-grade students from Valley View Elementary School were detained January 29th after federal agents took their mother into custody. At her request, Valley View Principal Jason Kuhlman escorted the boys from their classrooms to the Whipple Federal Building. The students are among at least seven children in the small school district whose families have been impacted by federal immigration enforcement actions.
>>Minnesota State Patrol to Honor Heroic Acts
(Mendota Heights, MN) — The Minnesota State Patrol is honoring troopers, residents and public servants today (Thurs 1pm) whose actions over the past year demonstrated heroism and excellence in crisis. Those being recognized include civilians who rescued people from a fiery crash in Blaine, dispatchers who coordinated the response to the Annunciation School and Church mass shooting in Minneapolis, and troopers who carried out life-saving rescues in Itasca County and near Hutchinson. Additional honors include Trooper of the Year, the Eagle Squadron Award for most D-W-I arrests, and the Leadership Award.
>>Ex-State Trooper Roper Asking for Change of Venue for Trial
(Rochester, MN) — A former Minnesota state trooper is scheduled to appear before a judge today (Thurs) in Olmsted County, where the court will decide whether his criminal trial should be moved to another location. Thirty-three-year-old Shane Roper is accused of causing a 2024 crash in Rochester that killed 18-year-old Olivia Flores and injured others riding in the vehicle. Roper’s defense has argued that extensive publicity surrounding the case could prevent a fair trial if it remains in Olmsted County.
>>Six Suspects Charged in Washington County Child Prostitution Investigation
(Stillwater, MN) — Six people are charged in a Washington County investigation into the sexual exploitation of minors. The Washington Sheriff’s Office, Stillwater Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations conducted a targeted operation to identify people seeking to engage in commercial sex acts with a 16-year-old girl. Undercover agents posing as the girl arranged meetings intending to exchange money for sexual acts. The six suspects arrested last week are Vishwateja Reddy Guntupally, Christopher Kohn, Manuel Chunzho-Canar, Sanyi Tefera, Terry Valentino Reynolds, and Dakota Robert Ott.
>>St. Anthony Man Struck and Killed by Vehicle in St. Paul
(St. Paul, MN) — Police in St. Paul continue to investigate a deadly pedestrian crash in the Como neighborhood. Officers say 58-year-old Thomas John Paulson of St. Anthony was walking Tuesday night when he was struck by a vehicle. Paulson was found lying in the street with severe head injuries and died at the scene. Investigators say the man driving the car was initially booked on suspicion of criminal vehicular homicide. He was released pending the results of blood testing.
>>Alt Country, Bluegrass Artist Sierra Ferrell Coming to State Fair
(Falcon Heights, MN) — Alternative country and bluegrass musician Sierra Ferrell is playing the Minnesota State Fair this summer. Ferrell’s ‘Heavy Petal Tour’ stop on August 30th is the Current’s Music On-A-Stick show for this year’s Grandstand Concert Series. She has won four Grammy awards and Artist and Album of the Year at the Americana Honors & Awards. Tickets for Sierra Ferrell go on sale next Thursday through Etix.
>>Gopher Men’s Basketball Upsets #10 Michigan State at the Barn
(Minneapolis, MN) — The University of Minnesota men’s basketball team is celebrating a 76-73 upset win over tenth ranked Michigan State at Williams Arena. The Golden Gophers led the Spartans from start to finish Wednesday night and snapped a seven-game losing streak. Jaylen Crocker-Johnson had 22 points, Cade Tyson scored 17, and Langston Reynolds added 14 points and eight assists. This was Minnesota’s third home win over a ranked opponent this season. The Gophers host Maryland on Saturday afternoon.
>>Minnesota Well-Represented at 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy
(Undated) — Minnesota will have a strong presence at the 2026 Winter Olympics in northern Italy, with 37 athletes competing for Team U-S-A and another 22 with ties to the state representing other countries. The Minnesota athletes are expected to compete across multiple winter sports, continuing the state’s long tradition of Olympic participation. Competition at the Milan–Cortina Games begins Thursday, with the opening ceremony scheduled for Friday. The Winter Games are being held in venues across northern Italy, including Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, bringing global attention to the region as athletes from around the world compete for Olympic medals.
