>>Federal Court Struck Down Trump Administration’s Tax on H-1B Visas
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is celebrating a federal court ruling striking down the Trump administration’s $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications. The U.S. District Court in Massachusetts found the policy unlawful and ordered it vacated. Ellison joined a multistate lawsuit challenging the fee last December, arguing it created barriers for employers trying to fill critical positions. H-1B visas allow U.S. employers to hire highly skilled foreign workers in fields facing labor shortages, including health care, education, and research. Ellison says the ruling ensures the federal government cannot impose fees that conflict with laws passed by Congress.
>>Demuth Says State Needs to Focus More on Reading and Math
(St. Paul, MN) — House Speaker Lisa Demuth is blaming Governor Tim Walz for Minnesota’s declining education rankings after a new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation showed the state falling from 17th to 21st nationally. Demuth says Minnesota has seen sharp declines in reading and math proficiency during Walz’s tenure and is calling for schools to refocus on core subjects like reading, math, writing, and science. The Republican gubernatorial candidate also renewed her support for a federal scholarship tax credit program that Walz has opposed, arguing it would provide more educational opportunities for struggling students.
>>DNR Rolls Out First Phase of New Licensing System
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is rolling out the first phase of its new electronic licensing system, replacing a platform that has been in use for more than 25 years. The updated system allows anglers and hunters to purchase licenses through a mobile app, online, or in person through a license agent. Users can also carry their licenses digitally in the app, as a PDF, or on paper. DNR officials say the modernized system offers greater flexibility and convenience while continuing to support conservation efforts funded by license sales.
>>One Injured in Fosston Shooting
(Fosston, MN) — A 22-year-old Fosston man is in custody after police say a shooting at an apartment complex Monday afternoon left another man seriously injured in northwestern Minnesota. Officers responded around 3:20 p.m. to a disturbance involving a possible gun. The victim was taken to Essentia Health-Fosston, then airlifted to Fargo for treatment. Cory Burnette Jr. was arrested without incident on probable cause of second-degree assault and discharge of a firearm. Investigators say there is no ongoing threat to the public.
>>Turkey Lovers’ Month
(Undated) — June is National Turkey Lovers’ Month, and Minnesota has plenty to celebrate. The state is home to more than 400 turkey farmers and 600 turkey farms, making it the nation’s top turkey producer. Industry leaders say turkey production supports thousands of jobs, from growers and feed suppliers to processors, truck drivers, grocery stores, and restaurants. As federal officials prepare to review the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, securing fair trade conditions with Canada remains a priority for Minnesota’s turkey industry. And here’s a local fun fact: nearly every turkey sold in Minnesota was raised by Minnesota farmers, meaning consumers are supporting local communities with every purchase.
>>Free Park Saturday
(St. Paul, MN) — The DNR is encouraging residents to celebrate Great Outdoors Month by taking advantage of several free opportunities this weekend. Saturday is Free Park Day, allowing visitors to enter all state parks and recreation areas without a vehicle permit, with many locations offering naturalist-led programs. ATV riders can also hit Minnesota’s public trails without paying the usual registration fee, giving them access to nearly 3,000 miles of state forest and grant-in-aid trails. Those who can’t make it this weekend can check out seven-day state park permits at participating libraries.
>>Heading to the Airport? Don’t Forget Your Reusable Water Bottle
(Bloomington, MN) — Heading out on a summer getaway? Airport officials say don’t forget your sunscreen, your boarding pass—and an empty water bottle. Travelers passing through Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport this summer, are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle. MSP and Pentair have installed 10 free hydration refill stations in Terminals 1 and 2, offering passengers easy access to filtered drinking water. Officials say the stations help keep about 600 pounds of single-use plastic bottles out of the waste stream each day. That’s roughly 110 tons annually, equivalent to the weight of a Boeing 757-200 airliner.
