>>2 Officers from Minnesota Added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
(Washington, DC) — The names of two fallen officers from Minnesota are among the 282 added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial this year in Washington, D-C. Pope County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Owen and Fargo Police Officer Jake Wallin (wah-leen) from St Michael were honored during a vigil Monday night on the National Mall. Forty-four-year-old Owen was fatally shot last April during a domestic call in the town of Cyrus. Twenty-three-year-old Wallin was shot and killed on July 14th as he and other officers responded to a traffic crash. Their names are now engraved on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
>>Junk Fee Bill Narrowly Passes in the House
(St. Paul, MN) — So-called “junk fees” for event tickets, restaurants, hotels, credit card purchases, and other items would be banned in Minnesota under a compromise bill the Minnesota House passed last night (Mon) on a vote of 76-to-57. Elmdale Township Republican Isaac Schultz warns consumers will pay more: for example, a business might tell a farmer the cost to ship three pieces of equipment will be a thousand dollars per item
“When in reality,… joining those things together, the cost may only be 15 hundred dollars for all three items.” Minneapolis Democrat Emma Greenman responded Schultz is overthinking the issue. “A consumer should be able to expect that, when you tell them how much something costs, it includes everything it takes to get you the good.” The bill is a compromise worked out by House and Senate negotiators.
>>St. Paul Man Charged with Tobacco-Related Tax Crime
(St. Paul, MN) — A St. Paul man faces one felony count of possessing untaxed tobacco products. According to the complaint, the MN Department of Revenue conducted a retail inspection of Mussie Embaye’s business, Go Get It Tobacco, in January 2023. Allegedly, over $7,600 in tobacco products that did not have a valid purchase invoice from a licensed distributor were found and seized by officials. Embaye faces a maximum penalty of five years in jail, a $10,000 fine, or both.
>>Ex-St. Catherine University Nursing Dean Accused Of Using School Money For Vacation Getaways
(St. Paul, MN) — The former dean of nursing at a St. Paul university accused of embezzling from the school now faces new charges. Laura Fero was charged last week with stealing 400 thousand dollars from St. Catherine University and funneling the money to her boyfriend’s phony business. The new charges accuse the defendant of using university funds for five trips to popular destinations like Miami, Cancun, and Orlando. Fero’s boyfriend, Juan Bruce, has been charged with six counts of theft by swindle. He is behind bars on 75 thousand dollars bail and is expected back in court on June 6. Fero is free on bond and is scheduled to appear before a judge on June 7.
>>Arena Football League’s Minnesota Myth Shuts Down After Two Games
(Minneapolis, MN) — Minneapolis’ Arena football team is no longer in operation. The Myth organization folded yesterday just before playing its third game of the season against Albany. The handwriting was on the wall when coach and former Gopher quarterback Rickey Foggie resigned last week. Myth president and co-owner Diana Hutton wrote that she had been working on getting additional funding to keep the team on the field but was unsuccessful.
>>Minnesota Lynx Open Regular Season in Seattle
(Seattle, WA) — The Minnesota Lynx open the 2024 W-N-B-A season tonight (Tues 9pm) at the Seattle Storm. The Lynx made it to the first round of the playoffs last year and lost two games to one to Connecticut. Minnesota is led by All-Star forward Napheesa Collier and drafted 2023 PAC 12 Offensive Player of the Year Alissa Pili (PEEL’-lee) of Utah this season. The team also acquired All-Star point guard Courtney Williams in free agency. The Lynx home opener is Friday against the Storm.
