>>Senate GOP Rolling out Plan to Combat Fraud and Wasteful Spending

(St. Paul, MN) — Senate Republicans roll out their new “Minnesotans First” agenda today during a State Capitol news conference.  Leader Mark Johnson says the proposal would go after wasteful spending and fraud and hold government accountable for results.  Earlier this week, Republicans in the Minnesota House announced their new committee to stop fraud in the state.  That committee is scheduled to meet every Monday morning.

 

>>Home Depot to Pay Former Employee $65K in Sexual Harassment Case

(St. Paul, MN) — Home Depot must pay a former Minnesota employee $65,000 after a state Department of Human Rights (DHR) investigation found several employees sexually harassed another employee, with Home Depot failing to stop the harassment. DHR says from 2018 to 2021, three Home Depot employees sexually harassed another employee at a Fridley store, including sexual comments and nonconsensual touching. The employee reported the behavior several times, but little to no action was taken. Home Depot must enforce anti-harassment policies and training, with the DHR monitoring for two years.

 

>>Flanagan in Red Wing  to Mark Borealis Passenger Rail  Success

(Red Wing, MN) — Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan is visiting Red Wing today to mark the success of the Borealis passenger train.   Amtrak started the service in May and ridership has already exceeded expectations with nearly 150,000 passengers in the first eight months.  Flanagan is joined by members of the Department of Transportation and Explore Minnesota to discuss the impact on tourism.

 

>>Director Comments on Uninviting Target to TC Pride Festival, Parade

(Minneapolis, MN) —   Minneapolis-based Target is not invited to the Twin Cities Pride Festival and parade this summer due to its scaling back and ending of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.   T-C Pride Executive Director Andi Otto says the trust wasn’t there.    Otto says, “the community comes to Pride to celebrate, to be heard, and to be seen. So, to have an organization there celebrating with us that just rolled those things back did not feel like the right thing to do.”  T-C Pride has raised almost $90,000 from crowdfunding to recoup the $50,000 that Target usually provides as a sponsor.   Otto says the door for conversation is always open.

 

>>Statewide Home Sales in Minnesota Rose 1.1 % in 2024

(St. Paul, MN) —  The Minnesota Realtors annual report shows home sales rose 1.1 percent statewide last year and 1.8% in the Twin Cities metro.   President Patti Jo Fitzpatrick of St. Paul says 2024 is the 13th or 14th consecutive year of increased pricing and the lack of inventory is still an issue.   The average sale price for a home in Minnesota rose to $404,000 in 2024 – an increase of 4.1%.    Fitzpatrick says mortgage interest rates are expected to remain in the 6 to 7 % percent range this year.

 

>>Former Pierz Police Chief and Morrison County Deputy Hoheisel Dies

(Pierz, MN) — Minnesota’s law enforcement community is mourning the loss of former Morrison County Sheriff’s Deputy and Pierz Police Chief Herman Hoheisel.  His family says Hoheisel died last Friday in Pierz at age 83.   Sheriff Shawn Larsen says Hoheisel was a dedicated public servant who spent his career protecting and serving the citizens of Morrison County.  He says his legacy of service will not be forgotten.  The funeral for Hoheisel is Saturday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Pierz.

 

>>Duluth Man is Suspect in Shooting in Superior

(Superior, WI) —  A man from Duluth is accused in a January 16th shooting at an apartment building in Superior, Wisconsin.  Police say the victim was shot in the arm by 21-year-old Sidua Boyd and drove himself to the hospital for treatment of a non-life threatening wound.  Investigators say Boyd was arrested and jailed on suspicion of aggravated battery – use of a dangerous weapon, and resisting/obstructing an officer.

 

>>11 Minnesota Courts Offering Free Valentine’s Day Weddings

(St. Paul, MN) —  A growing number of courthouses in the state are now offering free weddings on Valentine’s Day.   Kim Pleticha (PLET’-uh-kuh) with the Minnesota Judicial Branch says the program began more than a decade ago in Hennepin County and last year added Ramsey County and two courthouses in St. Louis County.  She says this year 11 courthouses are doing it.   She says you need to make an appointment and get your marriage license before the ceremony.  Ramsey County is already full.  Other county courthouses offering free weddings are in Beltrami, Carlton, Chisago, Cook, Hennepin, Lake, Pine, St. Louis, and Washington.

 

 

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