>>Moderate Drought in 66 % of Minnesota, 7 % in Severe Drought
(Lincoln, NE) — The latest U-S Drought Monitor map shows two-thirds or 66-and-a-half percent of Minnesota is in a moderate drought. Seven-and-a-half percent of the state is in a severe drought, and more than 94 percent has abnormally dry conditions. The driest areas are in north-central Minnesota. These numbers do not include the snowfall from the storm Tuesday night into Wednesday morning that dumped 13 inches on parts of southeastern Minnesota. The state has received below-average snowfall this winter.
>>Nearly 200 Workers at Fargo Case New Holland Plant Laid Off
(Fargo, ND) — CNH Industrial has confirmed layoffs at its Case New Holland manufacturing plant in Fargo. The company cited current and anticipated market conditions for the job cuts. Employees were notified earlier this week, with about 198 hourly positions affected. CNH says it is dedicated to supporting the affected employees during their transition. Last May, about 700 members of Local 2525 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers approved a new labor contract with the company covering workers in Fargo. That contract included raises and the retention of healthcare and retirement benefits. The plant manufactures tractors and loaders for the agricultural and construction industries.
>>Three Men Plead Guilty To 2023 Murder In Bemidji
(Bemidji, MN) — Three men have pleaded guilty to a deadly stabbing that occurred during a robbery in Bemidji. Initially, all three defendants were charged with aiding and abetting second-degree intentional murder. However, following an investigation, Daniel Keezer was identified as responsible for the murder of 18-year-old Andrew Fisher in June 2023. Prosecutors plan to seek a 35-year prison sentence for Keezer when he appears in court on April 25. For the other two defendants, prosecutors will pursue 15-year prison terms at their sentencing on March 25.
>>Duluth Woman Indicted on Drug Trafficking and Weapons Charges
(Duluth, MN) — Federal prosecutors are charging a Duluth woman with illegal possession of a firearm and fentanyl trafficking. The indictment says 30-year-old Khadijah Preston was found with a large amount of fentanyl last October and had a handgun in December of 2023. Preston cannot have a firearm or ammunition due to a previous felony assault conviction. She made her first federal court appearance Thursday in Duluth.
>>House Bill Would Increase Funding to Rural Minnesota Roads and Bridges
(St. Paul, MN) – Rural Minnesota roads and bridges would get a boost in funding if a Republican-authored House bill becomes law. Kenyon Representative Keith Allen’s legislation would earmark a General Fund appropriation of $25 million each year of the 2026-27 biennium for town roads and another $10 million yearly for town bridges. Allen says these roads are the starting point for transporting Minnesota’s commodities. Shakopee DFL Representative Brad Tabke says he’s concerned about the bill’s proposed shift in funding and how it would affect the budget and the ability to take care of state roads. The bill was laid over for possible omnibus bill inclusion.
>>Minnesota Senate Bill Targets Websites Where Users Create Deepfake Porn Videos
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota lawmakers are expected to consider a bill that bans websites from allowing users to create deepfake porn videos. DFL State Senator Erin Maye Quade of Apple Valley introduced the bill at the State Capitol in St.Paul. The measure prohibits website operators from allowing users to modify images and alter them to show a fake representation of a person’s intimate body parts. The legislation will allow victims of the crime to sue for damages and allow the Attorney General’s Office to impose a fine of 500 thousand dollars per violation.
>>18-Year-Old Arrested for Several Sexual Assault Charges
(St. Cloud, MN) — A St. Cloud man with several active warrants for multiple counts of first-degree sexual assault is in custody. 18-year-old Rakai Davis was arrested around 4:15 p.m. Monday during a St. Cloud apartment search warrant. He’s being held at the Stearns County Jail.
>>MyPillow Sued By FedEx
(Chaska, MN) — FedEx is suing Chaska-based MyPillow. The pillow and bedding company is accused of failing to pay over nine million dollars in shipping costs. FedEx asserts it entered a distribution contract with MyPillow’s predecessor, MP Distribution, in 2021. Since then, this deal has been amended several times to adjust pricing and accommodate corporate changes requested by MyPillow. The lawsuit claims that MyPillow violated the terms of the amended contract by delaying payments on its invoices. The business, owned by Mike Lindell, has recently faced financial and legal challenges.
