>>Lawmakers to Introduce Bipartisan Minnesotans with Disabilities Act
(St. Paul, MN) — State lawmakers plan to introduce the Minnesotans with Disabilities Act during a news conference this afternoon (Tues 3pm) at the Capitol. The bipartisan bill is authored by G-O-P Representative Kim Hicks of Rochester and D-F-L Senator Erin May Quade of Apple Valley. The law would enshrine federal protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act at the state level.
>>Speaker Demuth Retains “A Lot of Power” in Tied Minnesota House
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota House now has 67 Democrats and 67 Republicans, but G-O-P Representative Lisa Demuth will remain the speaker under the power sharing agreement. Hamline University political analyst David Schultz says Speaker Demuth retains a lot of power. He says, “She still has the power in terms of presiding over the session, in terms of gaveling, gaveling out things. She has the ability to be able to rule on a variety of motions.” Schultz says Demuth also gets to pick conference committee members and chairs. D-F-L Leader Melissa Hortman is using the title House speaker “emerita.”
>>Minnesota Senate Ag Committee Proposes $169 Million Budget
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota House and Senate are far apart on agriculture budget funding. Senate Ag, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development Chair Aric Putnam of St. Cloud says his committee has been very diligent and thoughtful about spending. Putnam says they are focused on livestock disease emergency preparedness and providing farmers with reliable support. The proposed Senate bill would appropriate nearly $169 million from the General Fund for the Department of Agriculture, a 10 percent increase from the current amount budgeted and above the $151 million proposed by Governor Walz.
>>National Poison Prevention Week
(Minneapolis, MN) — It’s National Poison Prevention Week, and the Minnesota Regional Poison Center reminds residents that poisoning can happen to anybody, at any age, anytime, and anywhere. Clinical Supervisor Carrie Oakland says when the unexpected happens, call 1-800-222-1222. The 24-7 center states that 92 percent of poison-related calls are safely managed at home. Oakland says, “things that should go immediately to the emergency department that we would always refer in are like chest pain or difficulty breathing. Those are like, always require a medical evaluation.” She says poison emergencies are exposure to medications, plants, mushrooms, household products, chemicals, and pesticides. They also answer any poison questions.
>>Cass County Authorities ID Bemidji Woman Killed in Crash near Walker
(Walker, MN) — Authorities in Cass County are identifying the woman killed in a weekend crash near Walker that left four others injured. Deputies say 22-year-old Mikayla Butcher of Bemidji was a passenger in the vehicle that rolled over into the ditch Saturday night on County Road 13. The sheriff’s office says the 23-year-old driver was arrested for a probation violation and charges are pending related to the crash. The initial report said alcohol and speed were factors. Two passengers were taken to a Bemidji hospital, one was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Park Rapids and other was treated and released.
>>Steve Miller Band Playing the Minnesota State Fair in August
(Falcon Heights, MN) — The Steve Miller Band is coming to the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers will perform on the Grandstand stage Thursday August 28th with special guest the Rascals. Steve Miller toured with Def Leppard and Journey last summer and played at Target Field. Tickets for the State Fair show go on sale this Friday at 10 a-m through Etix.
>>2025 Minnesota Boys Basketball State Tournament Begins in Minneapolis
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Boys State High School Basketball Tournament tips off today (Tues) in Minneapolis. The Class 2-A, 3-A and 4-A quarterfinals begin at Williams Arena and Target Center. Class A play starts on Thursday. Totino-Grace looks to repeat as 3-A champs, Class 2-A champion Breck hopes to defend its title, and Cherry is shooting for another Class A state championship. Cretin-Derham Hall and Rochester John Marshall are playing the first 4-A quarterfinal at Target Center (10am), and Mankato East is taking on St. Paul Harding in the opening Class 3-A matchup at Williams Arena. The Class 2-A quarterfinals begin tonight (Tues 6pm).
