>>Feds Arrest Two People for ICE Protest at St. Paul Church Service
(St. Paul, MN) — U-S Attorney General Pam Bondi says two people are under arrest in connection with an ICE protest during a St. Paul church service. Bondi announced this morning that Homeland Security investigators and F-B-I agents arrested civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong and St. Paul Board of Education clerk Chauntyll Louisa Allen. Bondi wrote on social media, “WE WILL PROTECT OUR HOUSES OF WORSHIP.” Levy Armstong and Allen are among protesters who entered Cities Church Sunday and shouted, “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good.” They claim the pastor is an ICE agent.
>>New Report Finds ICE Operations Cost Taxpayers $18 Million Per Week
(Minneapolis, MN) — A new report from North Star Policy Action finds that the federal “Operation Metro Surge” by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minnesota is imposing significant and growing economic costs on the state. The report shows estimates costing taxpayers at least $18 million per week in direct expenses, in addition to the toll and fear caused on humans. The report looked at taxpayer costs for having federal agents here and the economic toll it’s having on Minnesota businesses.
>>Minnesota’s Job Growth Flat in December
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota’s monthly job growth was flat in December and the state’s unemployment rate increased by one-tenth of a percentage point. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development says the current unemployment rate is now 4.1 percent. Numbers show the private sector lost 1,700 jobs between November and December on a seasonally adjusted basis, but local government jobs made up for those jobs that were lost.
>>Lakeville Man Pleads Guilty to Stabbing Deaths of Sister and Unborn Child
(Hastings, MN) — Dakota County prosecutors say a Lakeville man is pleading guilty to the first-degree murders of his sister and her unborn child last May. Twenty-four-year-old Jack Ball admitted to the stabbing death of 30-year-old Bethany Israel of Bloomington, who was between 17 and 18 weeks pregnant. Ball has asserted a defense of mental illness. The State will litigate his defense of mental illness at a trial hearing on May 21st. A first-degree murder conviction carries a mandatory life prison sentence.
>>7-Year-old Zimmerman Girl Found Safe in Albert Lea Following Amber Alert
(Albert Lea, MN) — A man is in custody in Albert Lea for the alleged kidnapping of a seven-year-old girl in Zimmerman that prompted an Amber Alert. The Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office said the girl was last seen getting off the school bus around 4 p-m Wednesday and then disappeared. Around 1:30 this morning the Minnesota B-C-A reported she was found safe in a vehicle on Interstate 35, and a 28-year-old Maple Grove man was arrested. The girl was checked out at a hospital and reunited with her family.
>>St. Paul Winter Carnival Cancels Events Due to Frigid Cold
(St. Paul, MN) — The St. Paul Winter Carnival is cancelling events due to the bitter cold temperatures. Tonight’s Kick-off to Carnival in Rice Park is being postponed and Friday’s ice bar and food truck festival are canceled. A spokesperson says their threshold for canceling events is forecasted sustained windchills of -25 degrees. The Winter Carnival will now host a 140th Anniversary Celebration Ceremony Friday, January 30th. Indoor events will still go on as planned.
>>Minnesota Wild Hosting Detroit Red Wings Tonight
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Wild are back in St. Paul tonight (Thurs 8:30pm) to play the Detroit Red Wings. The Wild are coming off a 4-3 loss at Montreal Tuesday night. The Canadiens scored the game-winning goal with 15 seconds remaining in the third period. Minnesota is 28-24-and-9 and tied for second place in the N-H-L Central Division with 65 points. Detroit is 31-16-and-4 and is second in the Atlantic Division with 66 points.
