>>House Republicans and Democrats Reach Power-Sharing Agreement
(St. Paul, MN) — The stalemate in the Minnesota House is no more. Democrats and Republicans have a confirmed agreement in place. Republican Representative Lisa Demuth will serve as Speaker of the House through the end of next year. Republicans will control House committees until a special election is held to fill a vacant seat next month. The House GOP holds a 67-66 majority pending a special election to fill an empty seat that Governor Tim Walz set for March 11. Meanwhile, Democrats say they will be in session today.
>>Craig Introduces the Right to Contraception Act
(Washington, DC) — Minnesota Congresswoman Angie Craig is sponsoring a bill that she says would protect access to contraception and defend healthcare providers’ ability to distribute contraceptives. It would create a statutory right for people to obtain birth control, I-U-Ds, and condoms and grants the Attorney General the ability to take civil action against any state or government official that implements or enforces legislation to prevent access to contraceptives. Craig says in a statement, “Access to birth control should be a given, but with extreme Republicans chipping away at women’s protective rights by the day, we have no choice but to enshrine this protection into law.”
>>Minnesota Man Sentenced in International Sex Crimes Case
(Minneapolis, MN) — A man from southeastern Minnesota has been sentenced in federal court in an international sex crimes case involving children. 61-year-old Steven Sokel of Blooming Prairie was accused of aiding and abetting efforts of other people to coerce minor girls outside of the United States to engage in sexually explicit conduct to produce child pornography. Federal prosecutors alleged Sokel participated in the international conspiracy from November 2021 through April 2022. Sokel will spend more than 17 years in prison.
>>Fire Damages Stearns County Pallet Business
(Sauk Centre, MN) — A fire damaged a Stearns County business on Wednesday. The sheriff’s office received a 911 call about a possible fire at Centre Pallet and Lumber south of Sauk Centre around 12:40 p.m. The caller reported seeing smoke from the boiler room attached to a 50×120-foot building. Authorities were informed of recent electrical issues, and the caller suspected the insulation had caught fire. Fortunately, there were no injuries, and the boiler room contained the fire.
>>Highest Snowfall Totals from Wednesday’s System in Northeastern Minnesota
(Duluth, MN) — Snowfall reports show northeastern Minnesota received the most accumulation from Wednesday’s clipper system. The National Weather Service says 7.5 inches fell east of Grand Marais, a half-foot was reported at Hovland (HOHV’-land) and Two Harbors, Cook received 5.2 inches, Ely and Cold Spring got 4, Duluth reported 3.5, Hawley and Pelican Rapids saw three inches, Willmar and Moorhead 2.4, and St. Cloud around 2 inches. A stronger snowstorm is expected to dump higher amounts on Saturday.
>>Valleyfair Amusement Park Hiring 1600 Workers for 2025 Season
(Shakopee, MN) — Valleyfair Amusement Park in Shakopee plans to hire more than 16 hundred workers for the 2025 season. Officials say the park will start filling those roles during a week-long hiring campaign from February 15th through 22nd. Positions include ride operators, food and beverage associates, security, merchandise and games sales, park service attendants, and lifeguards. Pay starts at 17 dollars an hour for applicants ages 16 and older, with rates based on experience and position.
>>Gopher Women’s Basketball Plays Iowa at Williams Arena
(Minneapolis, MN) — The University of Minnesota women’s basketball team plays border rival Iowa tonight (Thurs 7pm) at Williams Arena. The Hawkeyes have won the last ten meetings against the Golden Gophers. Minnesota is coming off back-to-back road losses at nationally ranked U-S-C and U-C-L-A. Iowa upset number four U-S-C 76-69 at home on Sunday. The Gophers are 18-and-5 overall and 6-and-5 in Big Ten play. The Hawks are 15-and-7 and 5-and-6 against conference opponents.
