>>Minneapolis Leaders Community Request BCA Be Involved in ICE Shooting Investigation
(Minneapolis, MN) – Minneapolis city and state leaders are calling on the FBI to reverse course again and include the Minnesota BCA in the investigation of the ICE-shooting death of 37-year-old Renee Good. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey says their ask is simple: embrace the truth. He demands that the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension be brought back in for a “fair investigation.” The BCA was originally included in the early stages of the investigation, but then the FBI shut them out, saying it would be handled only federally. Without the BCA involved, Public Safety officials say it’s very difficult to bring state charges in the case. Rob Doar of the Minnesota Gun Owners Law Center says, given the temperature between the Walz Administration and the Trump Administration, “I didn’t expect there to be a lot of cooperation or that it would last very long. I don’t think that’s great for public sentiment or for increasing transparency.” Doar says he suspects federal prosecutors in Minnesota initially agreed to a joint FBI and BCA investigation before getting orders from higher-ups in Washington. Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem have already called the incident “an act of domestic terrorism” without any facts having been released in the case.
>>Minneapolis Crews Remove Street Barriers near Deadly ICE Shooting
(Minneapolis, MN) – Minneapolis city crews are removing the barriers blocking East 34th Street and Portland Avenue in the area where Renee Good was fatally shot by an ICE agent. Officials say blocking the streets is a serious concern for fire and emergency medical response. Interim Fire Chief Melanie Rucker says they will not remove the memorial created for Good that is maintained by community members.
>>Sen. Putnam’s Healthcare Roundtable Looks at Rising Costs
(Undated) – The new year brings new changes to healthcare and Medicaid in Minnesota. Cuts from the federal government have raised health insurance premiums. DFL Senator Arik Putnam says he met with a group of farmers in Hallock, but the entire conversation revolved around healthcare affordability and access. He says the only OB-GYN in their region had recently closed, leaving residents in that area with an hour and a half long drive to give birth. Putnam was part of a roundtable discussion on Thursday on healthcare with other state lawmakers.
>>Blaine Man Charged in Tobacco Tax Case
(St. Paul, MN) – A Blaine man faces felony charges for allegedly buying untaxed tobacco products. Prosecutors say Mohammad Wazwaz is accused of purchasing nicotine vape products from an unlicensed seller for his Lake City business, Lakeshore Smoke Shop, to avoid paying state tobacco taxes. He made multiple illegal purchases, which were found during a June 2024 retail inspection. Investigators say Wazwaz owes more than $5,700 in unpaid taxes. He was previously charged in a similar case in Hennepin County last fall. Each charge carries up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
>>Don’t Quit on Quitters Day
(St. Paul, MN) – Today is “Quitters Day,” when many give up on New Year’s resolutions. If quitting tobacco was yours, don’t stop now. Mike Sheldon with the Minnesota Department of Health says support boosts success: quitting alone works only about 3% of the time, but coaching and nicotine replacement greatly improve your odds. Minnesota’s Quit Partner offers free help and products, with support available 24/7 by phone, text, email, or chat. Visit QuitPartnerMN.com or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
>>Golden Gopher Men’s Basketball Hosting Southern California
(Minneapolis, MN) – The University of Minnesota men’s basketball team is playing USC tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Williams Arena. The Golden Gophers upset 19th-ranked Iowa 70-67 at the Barn on Tuesday for their fifth straight win. Minnesota is 3-1 in the Big Ten and 10-5 overall. The Trojans lost at number 12 Michigan State 80-51 on Monday. Southern California is 1-3 in conference play and 12-3 overall this season.
>>Chris Stapleton Performing at New Mystic Lake Amphitheater in July
(Shakopee, MN) – Country music star Chris Stapleton is coming to Minnesota this summer. Stapleton is bringing his All-American Road Show to the new Mystic Lake Amphitheater on July 29th. Live Nation’s 19,000-seat outdoor venue in Shakopee opens this year. Tickets go on sale to the public next Friday. Stapleton and Live Nation have presales on Thursday, January 15th.
