>>AG Ellison Charges Minneapolis Man in $3M Medicaid Fraud
(St. Paul, MN) — Attorney General Keith Ellison announced felony charges against Mohamed Omarxeyd for defrauding Minnesota’s Medicaid program of more than three-million-dollars through his agency, Guardian Home Health Services. From 2020 to 2024, Omarxeyd allegedly billed for home care services that were never provided or were ineligible for reimbursement. Investigators say he paid recipients while billing in their names and funneled over $2 million to personal accounts and related businesses. Ellison called the scheme “despicable,” noting his office has prosecuted over 300 Medicaid fraud cases and recovered $80 million since he took office.
>>Governor Walz to Address Federal Cuts
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz is set to speak today(1:30 pm) in St. Paul about the potential impact of federal funding cuts on Minnesota. The Governor says proposed reductions could hit programs like SNAP and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid- funded services, affecting seniors, children, home care workers, and families across the state. Walz plans to outline what these cuts could mean for Minnesota’s safety net.
>>Protesters in Willmar Demand ICE Leave Community
(Willmar, MN) — Demonstrators gathered Tuesday in Willmar, calling for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to “get out” of their community. The rally drew residents and advocates concerned about recent enforcement actions. Brielle Barrett of Pennock urged elected officials to take a stand. “The mayor, the city council members, our senators and representatives in Minnesota, this country needs you to speak up now immediately and do the work to ensure due process and equal treatment of all,” Barrett said. The Department of Homeland Security defended ICE operations, saying agents are focused on removing “the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens off the streets.”
>>Vehicle Traffic Restricted on Sleepy Eye Lake
(Sleepy Eye, MN) — The Brown County Sheriff’s Office has received reports of three ice houses breaking through the ice on Sleepy Eye Lake in southern Minnesota. Due to open water and unsafe ice conditions, all vehicle traffic on the lake is prohibited. This restriction applies to all vehicles, including trucks, cars, ATVs, and snowmobiles. The decision was made in response to poor ice conditions. The Sheriff’s Office will continue to monitor the situation and will lift restrictions only when the ice is deemed safe. Before venturing onto any frozen body of water, please follow the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) ice thickness guidelines for new, clear ice.
(DNR Guidelines:
Under 4 inches: Stay off the ice
4 inches: Walking, ice fishing, ice skating, or other activities on foot
5–7 inches: Snowmobiling or riding a small ATV)
>>GoFund Me Campaign Launched to Help Ulen Fire Victim
(Ulen, MN) — A devastating fire in rural Clay County has claimed a life and destroyed a home, leaving a family in mourning. Now, a GoFundMe campaign is working to help them rebuild. Abigail Collins of Fargo launched the fundraiser with a goal of $2,400 to support her aunt, Sandy, who lost her house, her pets, and her brother in the blaze. The fire broke out last Friday, tragically taking the life of 57-year-old Daryn Waller. Collins says the family is grieving deeply and hopes donations will help Sandy replace clothing and personal items and secure a new apartment. The GoFundMe page is under “Care for Sandy After Her Loss.”
>>Minnesota DNR Offering 175 Paid Summer Internships
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is looking to fill 175 paid summer internship positions across the state. Opportunities range from fisheries and habitat work to park operations and trail management. More information and application details can be found on the DNR’s website.
>>Gopher Women’s Basketball Hosting #3 UCLA
(Minneapolis, MN) — The University of Minnesota women’s basketball team plays third-ranked UCLA tonight at Williams Arena. The 12-4 Golden Gophers are coming off back-to-back home wins over Northwestern and number 21 U-S-C. Minnesota is 3-2 in the Big Ten. The 15-1 Bruins are 5-0 in conference play and 3-0 on the road.
