>>Attorney General Ellison Cracking Down on Suspected Human Trafficking
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is cracking down on suspected human trafficking operations tied to illicit massage businesses across the Twin Cities metro. Ellison’s office sent warning letters to nine commercial landlords, saying their properties may be housing businesses linked to commercial sex and trafficking. The Attorney General’s Office is working with local law enforcement, the Minnesota BCA Human Trafficking Investigators Task Force, and anti-trafficking nonprofit The Network. Officials say the effort targets traffickers and sex buyers, not the women being exploited. Property owners are being asked to respond within 10 business days and help shut down any illegal activity.
>>Nurses at Maple Grove Hospital Vote to Authorize a Strike
(Robbinsdale, MN) –- Around 600 nurses at Maple Grove Hospital are set to go on strike. Monday’s vote to authorize an unfair labor practice strike follows more than a year of contract negotiations. A strike authorization gives the bargaining team the power to call one at the end of a cooling-off period. The Minnesota Nurses Association says its members are demanding increased staffing, better nurse retention, and greater accountability. Maple Grove Hospital is the largest birth center in Minnesota.
>>Cargill CEO Traveling to China with President Trump
(Undated) — Minnesota-based Cargill CEO Brian Sikes is expected to travel to China this week as part of a business delegation accompanying President Trump for meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Cargill is the only agriculture-focused company represented among several major U.S. corporations expected to attend. The trip comes as trade tensions and tariffs continue to create challenges for soybean exports and other agricultural markets important to Minnesota farmers
>>Inver Grove Heights Passes 1-Year Moratorium on Data Centers
(Inver Grove Heights, MN) — Inver Grove Heights is the latest Minnesota community to pass a moratorium on data centers. The city council voted Monday night to pause data center projects for one year. The Inver Grove Heights moratorium includes a pending five-megawatt data center near the South St. Paul border. Some data centers raise questions about water usage, electricity demand, road impacts, and environmental effects. Residents of Hermantown in northeastern Minnesota are suing to stop a Google data center.
>>Bemidji Teen Accused of Shooting Parents After Phone Taken Away
(Bemidji, MN) — A 16-year-old Bemidji boy is accused of shooting and injuring his parents after they allegedly took away his phone privileges. Authorities say the incident happened on May 7th and also left a third adult wounded. The teen is facing four felony charges, including illegal possession of a firearm and three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon. Prosecutors are seeking to have him tried as an adult in Beltrami County District Court.
>>Red Flag Warning
(St. Paul, MN) — The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for 35 counties across northwest, west central, and southwest Minnesota today due to extreme fire danger conditions. Officials say low humidity and strong winds could allow fires to spread rapidly and become difficult to control. Residents are urged not to burn outdoors, check previous burn sites for lingering embers, and use caution with equipment that could create sparks near dry vegetation.
Counties Include:
Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Faribault, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Marshall, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Otter Tail, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Sibley, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Watonwan, Wilkin, and Yellow Medicine.
>>Timberwolves Play Game 5 of West Semifinals in San Antonio
(San Antonio, TX) — The Timberwolves and Spurs play Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals tonight (Tues 7pm) in San Antonio. The Wolves beat the Spurs 114-109 Sunday night at Target Center to even the best-of-seven series at two games apiece. Anthony Edwards led all scorers with 36 points. Spurs center Victor Wembanyama was ejected for elbowing Naz Reid in the throat, but was not suspended for tonight’s game. Game 6 is set for Friday night in downtown Minneapolis.
