>>Bomb Threat Prompts Evacuation of Hastings Fleet Farm
(Hastings, MN) — A reported bomb threat prompted a brief closure of the Fleet Farm store in Hastings Thursday evening. Police say employees found a note posted on a bathroom door indicating a bomb would detonate at 6:29 p.m. Officers and Fleet Farm staff evacuated the building and the St. Paul Bomb Squad and Metro Transit bomb detection dog. The store was searched and nothing suspicious was located. Investigators are still looking into the threat.
>>Public Safety Bill Up For Vote Today
Republicans warn Democrats’ public safety budget bill up for a vote later today
(Fri noon start) in the Minnesota, Senate gives criminals a “Get Out of Jail Free” card, making thousands of offenders eligible for early release — including those convicted of serious crimes and juvenile offenders tried as adults. Bill lead author, Saint Louis Park Democrat Ron Latz responds the strategy is to reduce prison time for those who successfully complete addiction treatment, mental health, and other programs — before they’re released so they can then be better citizens. He says “If they participate and are successful in these programs, the incentive is to reduce the amount of time that they remain in prison. That’s a pretty big incentive for folks that are in there.” Today’s bill does *not* include controversial gun legislation — universal background checks and a “red flag” law. Those are separate bills in the Senate but *are* included in the omnibus public safety budget bill in the Minnesota House.
>>U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Prepared for Spring Flooding
(St. Paul, MN) — Members of the St. Paul-based U.S. Army Corps of Engineers say they are well-positioned and prepared to respond to spring flooding. Lt. Col. Rob Wilkins says they are ready to provide technical assistance and flood fight materials such as sandbags and pumps. They can also offer technical oversight and contracting for emergency levees to protect critical infrastructure. Wilkins says they have also pre-positioned flood-fighting materials across the state. Several rivers around Minnesota are at risk of flooding over the next week.
>>Highway 93 Re-Opens, Highway 9 in NW, Highway 22 in Stearns County Closed
(Henderson, MN) — Highway 93 from Henderson to Highway 169 is back open again today (Friday) in south-central Minnesota. It was closed on Thursday because of spring flooding on the Minnesota River. Highway 9 south of Ada in northwest Minnesota was closed this morning due to the Wild Rice River spilling over the road. MnDOT also shut down Highway 22 near Richmond between Highway 9 and Foster Court in Stearns County. St. Paul is closing part of Water Street today because of rising water levels on the Mississippi River.
>>Minnesota Timberwolves Hosting OKC Thunder in Play-In Game
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder meet tonight (Friday 8:30 pm) at Target Center in a “play-in” tournament game. The winner secures the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoffs and will face the top-seeded Denver Nuggets. The Wolves lost their first play-in game Wednesday at the Lakers. The Thunder topped the Pelicans Thursday in New Orleans.
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