>>Spring Wildfire Conditions Improving in Minnesota
(Grand Rapids, MN) — Wildfire conditions are improving around the state thanks to recent rainfall. Leanne Langeberg of the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center says early on in the season we were sitting at above-normal fire activity and those numbers started to taper back to more normal levels in April and May. She says there have been 732 wildfires in Minnesota so far this season that burned around ten thousand acres.
>>Hamline Professor Schultz Calls Senator Mitchell’s Ethics Case a “Sideshow”
(St. Paul, MN) — Hamline University analyst David Schultz says the ethics case against state Senator Nicole Mitchell of Woodbury is all about political posturing and the D-F-L’s one-vote majority in the Senate. He says Republicans sense a way of wounding Democrats going into the election, but Mitchell herself, “I think she’s almost become a sideshow in the whole thing, because a lot of what the hearing was about… I think, especially for the Republicans, were talking points… that they’re gonna use in the 2024 elections.” Schultz says Senate Democrats will sit on their lead and run out the clock to the end of the legislative session.
>>Welcome Home in Duluth for Girl Who Received Heart Transplant in Rochester
(Duluth, MN) — A special welcome home celebration in Duluth Wednesday for a first grade student who received a heart transplant at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Roya Snyder was diagnosed with mixed-type congenital cardiomyopathy last year and received her new heart in late February. Roya’s parents brought her to a Duluth fire station where she went for a ride on a fire truck and was greeted by police escorts and hundreds of people waving welcome home signs and cheering. There’s a family walk fundraiser for Roya on Saturday May 18th at Duluth East High School to help cover medical expenses.
>>Book About Alternative History of US-Dakota War of 1862 up for Award
(Roseville, MN) — A Minnesota author’s novel depicting an alternative history of the US-Dakota War of 1862 is a finalist for the 34th annual Midwest Book Awards. Author Colin Mustful says he was inspired to write “Reclaming Mni Sota’ and explore the topic deeper after visiting Mankato’s Reconciliation Park, where 38 Dakota men were hanged. He says, “my main goal is to create an emotional response in the reader so that history feels more real to them and so they can help break down the legacy of our history to create a more equitable present and future.”
>>US News and World Report Ranks Minnesota as 4th Best State to Live
(Washington, DC) — Minnesota is in the top five on a new list of the best states to live in the United States. U-S News and World Report ranks Minnesota fourth overall in its annual “Best States” analysis. The Gopher state move up one spot from number five in last year’s rankings. Utah was the top state for the second straight year, New Hampshire is second, and Nebraska ranks third in 2024. States are ranked on things like health care, education, the environment, economy, opportunity, crime and infrastructure.
>>Wolves Teammates Cheer Defensive Player of the Year Gobert
(Minneapolis, MN) — Teammates are praising Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (go-BAIR’) for being named the 2024 N-B-A Defensive Player of the Year. Forward Kyle Anderson says Rudy deserves the award is this year. He says Gobert has really anchored our defense all year and he’s really improved himself. This is the third Defensive Player of the Year award for Gobert which ties an N-B-A record. He will be back on court for Game 3 of the Western Conference finals Friday night after missing Game 2 following the birth of his first child.
