>>Trump Administration Sues Minnesota over North Star Promise Scholarships
(Washington, DC) — The U-S Department of Justice is suing Minnesota over its North Star Promise program, which offers college scholarships to eligible residents of the state. The Trump administration is challenging the law because it reduces and, in some cases, provides free in-state tuition to undocumented students. The suit claims it unconstitutionally discriminates against U-S citizens, who are not afforded the same privileges. To be eligible for the North Star Promise, students must be Minnesota residents with a family income of $80,000 or less. The goal of the program is to keep Minnesota college students in the state.
>>Hortmans to Lie In State Tomorrow
(St. Paul, MN) – Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda tomorrow (FRI) along with their golden retriever Gilbert. The public is invited to pay their respects between 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. The governor’s office issued guidelines for tomorrow’s public viewing, stating that the public should enter through the main doors at the south entrance of the Capitol steps. People will be allowed to wait inside the Capitol. The second-floor memorial will also be open for viewing. There will be parking available in public lots around the Capitol complex; however, it is limited, so we encourage you to use public transportation.
>>BCA Identifies Officer Involved In Hortman Shooting
(St. Paul, MN) — The BCA has identified Officer Zachary Baumtrog as the Brooklyn Park officer who fired his weapon during a use-of-force incident at Fromer House, Speaker Melissa and Mark Hortman’s home on June 14th. According to investigators, officers responded around 3:30 a.m. after a related shooting at the home of State Senator John Hoffman in Champlin. At the Hortman residence, they found Vance Boelter(Bell-ter) dressed as a police officer, standing outside a vehicle with flashing lights. Shots were fired. Officer Baumtrog discharged his weapon. He’s now on critical incident leave. The BCA recovered shell casings and is reviewing body camera footage. Their investigation is ongoing and will be turned over to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office once complete.
>>Congressman Emmer’s Military Provision Passes House
(Washington, D.C.) – Minnesota Congressman Tom Emmer’s provision to support military families struggling to obtain their loved one’s veteran’s death certificate has passed the House. The measure was included in the larger Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. Emmer’s proposal will require the Department of Veterans Affairs to prepare a report offering solutions to ensure military families receive these documents in a timely manner. The bill passed the House by a vote of 218 to 206.
>>Missing 14-Year-Old Boy from Todd County Located Safe
(Todd County, MN) — The endangered missing person alert for a 14-year-old boy from Todd County is cancelled. Sheriff’s deputies say Bryent Jones has been located and is safe. Jones went missing Wednesday afternoon near Belgrade and was last seen in a vehicle in the Rogers area.
>>Greater Minnesota Funding Boost
(St. Paul, MN) — DEED(Department of Employment and Economic Development) is awarding grants to North Branch, Sartell, and Willmar, aiming to create or retain over 1,000 jobs and unlock $221 million in private investment. The money comes from the state’s Greater Minnesota Business Development Public Infrastructure Grant Program—also known as BDPI, which helps fund public infrastructure, such as roads and water systems, in communities outside the metro area. Commissioner Matt Varilek says the goal is simple: “Help Greater Minnesota grow and thrive.”
