>>U.S. House Set to Vote on Future of BWCA Mining
(Washington, D.C.) — Minnesota Congresswoman Kelly Morrison says a bill expected to come to a vote in the U.S. House this afternoon represents what she calls the greatest threat to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in its history. The Democrat warns the legislation would permanently open the watershed to toxic copper sulfide mining. “It will permanently allow toxic copper sulfide mining in the watershed of the Boundary Waters literally forever,” Morrison said. “I’m calling all of my colleagues and urging, begging them to vote no. We need to get loud and stop this legislation.” Republican Congressman Pete Stauber introduced the bill, which would overturn the Biden administration’s 20‑year ban on mining near the Boundary Waters. Stauber did not respond to a request for comment.
>>Willmar City Council Hears From Residents on ICE Concerns
(Willmar, MN) — Residents told the Willmar City Council on Tuesday night that they fear and resent Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the city, saying people are being stopped because of the color of their skin, despite the agency’s stated focus on criminal offenders. Mayor Doug Reese addressed the audience before the open forum began. “Every time we have faced challenges, we have used those moments to move forward and grow and learn from those experiences. I trust that once again we will find common ground in unity.” Reese acknowledged ICE’s mission and said residents have a right to protest peacefully if they choose, but urged them not to interfere with federal operations or put themselves at risk of injury. No residents spoke in support of ICE during Tuesday’s forum.
>>Jordan Contractor Fined $13K for Stormwater Violations
(Chaska, MN) — A Jordan-based construction company has paid more than 13,000 dollars in fines for violating Minnesota’s construction stormwater permit requirements. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) says S-M Hentges and Sons discharged soil. laden stormwater into a ravine that drains into McKnight Lake during a 2025 project in Chaska. Investigators also found unprotected soil piles on the site that could wash into nearby waterways. The company has since stopped the discharge, installed silt fencing, and removed soil piles from curb and gutter areas to prevent further runoff. The agency says the case is now resolved following corrective actions.
>>Carver County Fined Over $16,000 for Stormwater Violations
(Chaska, MN) — Carver County paid a 16,233-dollar fine after a 2025 construction project in Chaska violated stormwater permit requirements, according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Investigators found sediment-laden runoff entered a nearby stream, and required erosion controls were not in place. The county also submitted an incomplete stormwater pollution prevention plan and inaccurately reported the results of inspections.
The county has since stopped discharges to the stream, stabilized exposed soil, installed sediment controls, and corrected its plan.
>>BPD Search for Missing Woman
(Brooklyn Park, MN) — Brooklyn Park police are searching for a missing 27-year-old woman. Ruqiya Mukhtar Jama was last seen today (WED), likely wearing a black scarf or hijab. She’s described as Black, five feet nine inches tall, 140 pounds, with black hair and eyes. Ruqiya may be travelling in a 2014 Black Toyota Rav-4 with Minnesota license plate L-S-V-0-3-4.
>>More than 2,100 Impaired Drivers Arrested Statewide During Holiday Enforcement
(St. Paul, MN) — Law enforcement officers across Minnesota arrested 2,170 impaired drivers during a statewide holiday DWI extra enforcement campaign running from November 26th through December 31st. The effort involved 296 law enforcement agencies and was coordinated by the Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety. More than two dozen agencies reported stopping drivers with blood alcohol concentrations above 0.30 — nearly four times the legal limit. “Every arrest represents a crash that didn’t happen or a life that wasn’t lost,” said OTS Director Mike Hanson.
