>>State Budget Surplus Shrinks According to New Forecast
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota’s projected budget surplus for the next two years has decreased, and the projected deficit has worsened. The state now has a projected surplus of 456 million for the next two-year budget cycle, which is $160 million lower than previous estimates. The future projected deficit in the 2028-2029 biennium has grown from the last $5.1 billion estimate released in December to six billion dollars. Lawmakers will continue to work with Governor Tim Walz to pass a new two-year state budget by its May 19th session adjournment deadline.
>>Moorhead Police Arrest Man in Early Morning Assault
(Moorhead, MN) — Moorhead police arrested a man for assault early this morning. The suspect had fled the scene before officers arrived. A police K9 was called in to assist with tracking the suspect but was unsuccessful. There was a large police presence in the area, and officers were able to arrest the suspect, 32-year-old Sundance Blue, who does not have a permanent address. Blue is currently being held in the Clay County Jail on charges of Domestic Assault, Domestic Assault Strangulation, Obstructing Legal Process, and Providing a False Name to Police. The victim in this incident was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
>>Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, Miss. National River and Recreation Area Suffer Layoffs
(Zimmerman, MN) _– The Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge and the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area face federal job layoffs. Both nonprofits have lost staff due to the cuts imposed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Twenty Park Service employees at the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area reportedly lost their jobs in the first sweep of firings. Over 2.6 million dollars has been frozen for employee pay and environmental stewardship programs. The Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge has lost a biologist and a park ranger; more losses are coming soon.
>>ACLU Is Suing Carver County For Illegally Detaining Man For ICE
(Chaska, MN) — Carver County authorities are accused of unlawfully detaining Maikol Suarez Varela to transfer him to ICE agents. The ACLU of Minnesota filed a lawsuit against Carver County and Sheriff Jason Kamerud, claiming a violation of the Minnesota Constitution. Suarez Varela, a Venezuelan native, was arrested on January 5th in Chanhassen for attempting to break into an ATM. The ACLU argues that Minnesota law prohibits sheriffs from arresting individuals for civil immigration matters and notes that Suarez Varela entered the U.S. lawfully.
>>Chisago Woman Killed in Early Morning Crash
(Isanti, MN) — A woman was killed in a two-vehicle crash in Isanti County. The Minnesota State Patrol says the incident happened just after midnight on Highway 64 in Athens Township. The car, driven by a 56-year-old woman from Chisago, went through a stop sign and was hit. She was killed in the crash. The other vehicle’s driver, a 32-year-old woman from Cambridge, was not hurt.
>>One in Custody, 1 Dead After Hudson, WI Standoff
(Hudson, Wisconsin) — A man is in custody, and a woman is dead after a standoff in Hudson, Wisconsin. Police responded to a home around 3:10 p.m. Wednesday for a welfare check. A man was on the phone with officers, refusing to come out and threatening suicide by police. Police worried that the suspect was endangering someone else in the home. After several hours of negotiation, the man walked out of the home and was arrested. A search of the residence turned up a woman’s body. No other information is known.
