>>US House Passes Finstad’s Save SBA from Sanctuary Cities Act
(Washington, DC) — Republican Congressman Brad Finstad is celebrating U-S House Passage of the Save S-B-A from Sanctuary Cities Act. His bill would require Minnesota’s U-S Small Business Administration office to move out of downtown Minneapolis. Finstad says in a statement, “By circumventing federal law and encouraging illegal immigrants to come into our communities, failed sanctuary city policies have created a growing public safety crisis.” Minneapolis is considered a sanctuary city, and this measure would require the Minnesota S-B-A office to relocate to another area in the state.
>>Representative Omar Reacts to Trump Travel Bans
(Minneapolis, MN) — Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is among lawmakers speaking out against the Trump administration’s full or partial travel ban on 19 countries. The Minnesota Democrat and Somali immigrant claims it is racist and won’t make us any safer. “The Trump administration is using national security justifications to prevent people they deem undesirable from entering the United States. That means Muslims again. It also means Black people.” Senator Zaynab Mohamed of Minneapolis says the tens of thousands of Somali Americans living in Minnesota are concerned about the sudden disruption of their connection to members of their families. President Trump’s order stated that the travel ban is “to protect citizens from terrorist attacks and other national security or public-safety threats.”
>>Craig Reintroduces Bill to Ban Congressional Stock Trading
(Washington, D.C.) U.S. Representative Angie Craig has reintroduced her NO STOCK Resolution, which would ban members of the House from owning or trading individual stocks while in office. The bill requires lawmakers to divest current holdings to avoid conflicts of interest. Craig, a Democrat, says members of Congress have access to non-public information and should focus on serving their constituents, rather than pursuing personal profit. She continues to press House and Senate leaders to bring stock trading bans to a vote. The measure is part of the broader End Corruption Now agenda, which includes bills to block financial self-dealing across all branches of government. Craig also reintroduced her HUMBLE Act, targeting perks, stock trading, and corporate board service by lawmakers.
>>Man Dies Cliff Jumping in Iron Range Mine Pit
(Gilbert, MN) — A 27-year-old man is dead after cliff jumping into a mine pit Thursday afternoon on the Iron Range near Gilbert. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office received a report that Axel Jurva, from Virginia, had been cliff jumping and had gone missing. Multiple law enforcement agencies did an extensive search, and he was found dead in the water. The incident remains under investigation.
>>Fire Destroys Former Elroy Supper Club Turned Residence
(Britt, MN) — A fire destroyed a former supper club in Britt, located ten miles north of Virginia in St. Louis County. Fire crews received a report of flames coming through the roof of the former Elyroy Supper Club around 4:30 this morning. The building, which had been converted into a residence, was believed to be occupied at the time of the fire. According to a passerby who called in the emergency, they honked their vehicle horn to alert the residents. Fortunately, a man and a woman inside the home were able to escape without injury. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the cause of the fire.
>>TSA Agents Find Loaded Guns On Carry-On Bags at MSP Airport
(Minneapolis, MN) — TSA agents at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport discovered two loaded guns in carry-on bags this week. These separate incidents occurred on Tuesday when passengers submitted their bags for screening. MSP Airport police were notified and seized the weapons. According to the TSA, a total of 22 guns have been intercepted at MSP checkpoints so far in 2025.
>>Fire Destroys Shop Near Dent
(Dent, MN) — A late-night fire destroyed a shop near Dent in Otter Tail County on Thursday night. 67-year-old Shirley Bush called 911 to report that a fire had broken out in a shop next to her home. She told dispatchers that she and her husband, 64-year-old Robert Bush, had been burning a trash pile nearby when the flames got out of control and spread after aerosol cans in a steel drum began to explode, igniting the 14-by-70-foot shop. The structure was a total loss, including two vehicles, power tools, a snowblower, and other personal items. The adjacent home also suffered smoke damage. Shirley Bush was treated for smoke inhalation and taken to the hospital.
>>DMV Scam Spike
(Undated) — Scam alerts are increasing across the Upper Midwest, and officials are warning residents to be cautious with their emails and phone messages that appear to be from the Department of Motor Vehicles(DMV). These texts and emails often claim that someone has violated a law and demand payment. However, officials emphasize that state agencies will never request money through text messages or social media. Here in Minnesota, the DMV reports that their call volume has doubled this week as people seek to confirm the legitimacy of these messages.
>>Jury Deliberations Begin in Trial Involving Crash That Killed Five Women
(Minneapolis, MN) — Jury deliberations continue today in the trial of Derrick Thompson, who is accused of causing a 2023 crash that resulted in the deaths of five Somali women in Minneapolis. Thompson faces multiple charges, including five counts of criminal vehicular homicide. During closing arguments on Thursday morning, prosecuting attorney Paige Starkey described Thompson’s actions that night as “reckless and destructive,” while the defense raised concerns about the investigation into the crash. If convicted, Thompson could face decades in prison.
>>MN Tomato Grower Bushel Boy Farms Sold
(Owatonna, MN) –Bushel Boy Farms, a year-round tomato grower based in Minnesota, has announced new ownership. The company shared on Facebook that it has ceased operations at its greenhouses in Owatonna, Minnesota, and Mason City, Iowa. Chuck Tryon, the president of Bushel Boy, confirmed the company has been sold to a firm named Best Boy Farms, and that some former employees will remain with the new ownership.
