>>Bail Set for Suspect in Fatal Shooting of Hallock Man
(Hallock, MN) — Bail is set at two million dollars for a northwest Minnesota woman accused of fatally shooting a man in Hallock. The victim has been identified as 43-year-old Justin Esparza. Kittson County authorities say Esparza was shot and killed Thursday by 23-year-old Jordan Hanson of Kennedy. Courts records show Hanson’s mother called the sheriff’s office to report that her daughter shot a man in the head. A witness told officers he was smoking meth with Esparza and Hanson when Hanson shot Esparza. Hanson is charged with second and third-degree murder.
>>Ironton Man Killed in Weekend Crash in Aitkin County
(Aitkin, MN) — A man from Crow Wing County is the victim of a deadly crash Saturday on Highway 18 north of Lake Mille Lacs in Aitkin County. The Minnesota State Patrol says a pickup driven by 77-year-old Leon Schefers of Ironton went airborne off a driveway approach, struck a tree, and rolled onto its roof in the ditch. The report says Schefers died at the scene.
>>Illegal Immigrant Reporting Bill Moves Through House
(St. Paul, MN) — A bill backed by Minnesota Republicans would require ICE to report and cooperate with federal enforcement regarding immigration policies. Representative Max Rymer (R-North Branch) says the mandatory reporting would include “Illegal immigrants who are suspected of committing murder, assault, domestic assault, crimes committed for the benefit of a gang, robbery, carjacking, kidnapping and criminal sexual conduct.”
The bill requires reporting names regardless of whether the person is ultimately charged with an offense. It goes to the House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee for further review before a roll-call vote.
>>IRS Stimulus Check Text Scam
(Undated) — Tax season is in full swing, and the Better Business Bureau is warning the public to beware of scammers. The latest scam involves a text claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service that advises the recipient they qualify for a 14-hundred dollar check as part of the Economic Impact Payment rebate. It also contains a link, but don’t click on it. The BBB says it leads to a fake but convincing IRS website designed to steal personal and financial information often used for identity theft or fraud. Anyone eligible for the 14-hundred dollar stimulus check will receive it by mail, and the IRS will never ask for your personal information through text, email, or phone calls.
>>1 Dead, 4 Injured in Walker Crash
(Walker, MN) — A woman is dead, and four men are injured after a crash in Walker. Cass County deputies responded to a motor vehicle rollover Saturday around 7 p.m. in Turtle Lake Township, rural Walker. A 2007 Dodge Nitro had left the roadway and rolled over in a ditch. Out of the five occupants, three men were brought to different local hospitals, one man was treated on scene, and a 22-year-old Bemidji woman was pronounced dead. The suspected driver, a 23-year-old Walker man, is having his BAC tested. Alcohol and speed appear to be factors.
>>Country Music Star Jason Aldean Playing at Xcel Energy Center in September
(St. Paul, MN) — Country singer-songwriter Jason Aldean is bringing his Full Throttle Tour to Minnesota this fall. Aldean is playing at the Xcel Energy Center on Saturday, September 6th. The North American tour kicks off in Ohio in May. Tickets for the St. Paul show go on sale Friday at JasonAldean.com.
