>>Shooting Investigation Underway in Alexandria

(Alexandria, MN) – An investigation is underway following a deadly shooting in Alexandria early Tuesday afternoon. Police Chief Scott Kent says a 27-year-old Alexandria man was found unresponsive inside a home. Life-saving measures were performed, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say there is no threat to the public. Investigators have not said whether anyone is in custody. The victim’s name has not been released pending notification of family and a review by the Medical Examiner’s Office.

>>2 People Killed in Litchfield House Fire

(Litchfield, MN) – A house fire in Litchfield killed two people on Monday. The Litchfield Fire Department says at 2:12 a.m. Monday, they were called to a home. The house and attached garage were a total loss, and the bodies of Gregri and Barbara Johnson, both 73, were found inside. The incident is currently under investigation by the Litchfield Police and Fire Departments, State Fire Marshals’ Office, and Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office.

>>Customs & Border Protection Officers Rescue Family from I-35 Crash

(Northfield, MN) – U.S. Customs and Border Protection is reporting its officers helped rescue a mother and two children from a crash Sunday near Northfield. The vehicle rolled into an embankment on Interstate 35, and the officers broke out a window and got the family safely out. They also directed a bystander to contact emergency medical services. Officials say no serious or life-threatening injuries were observed. 

>>Minneapolis Man Details Experience Being Assaulted, Detained by ICE While Protesting

(Minneapolis) – A Minneapolis man is sharing his story after being taken down and detained by ICE officers outside the Whipple Federal Building last week. Adam Underwood says he had been protesting with a megaphone for more than two hours on January 13th when officers began shooting pepper bombs at the ground to push the crowd back. “I kinda started turning to keep walking back, and I was totally slammed.”  Bodycam video from Underwood and other protesters shows six to eight officers piling on top of him, restraining him for several minutes, and escorting him into the building as demonstrators shouted around them. Underwood was later charged with impeding federal officers. He says he was never read his rights and wasn’t told why he was detained until he was released with the charge.

>>Red River Valley AFL-CIO Joining Minnesota Labor Strike

(Fargo, ND) – Local union leaders in the Red River Valley are backing a proposed general strike in opposition to Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in Minnesota. The Red River Valley AFL-CIO and the West Area Labor Council say they are endorsing the action in solidarity with the Minneapolis AFL-CIO. The Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, along with other unions across the state, is calling for a general strike this Friday. Union leaders say the labor movement is united against what they describe as an “ICE occupation” in Minnesota and the impact they believe it has had on union members. According to the unions, members and their families have been detained at what they call alarming rates.

>>Representative Craig Reintroduces Bill to Crack Down on Fraud in Federal Programs

(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Representative Angie Craig has reintroduced legislation aimed at strengthening penalties and oversight to prevent fraud in federal programs. Her Stop Fraud in Federal Programs Act would increase the maximum prison sentence for bribery in federal programs to 20 years and require independent third-party audits for program sponsors, preventing organizations from self-certifying compliance. The bill responds to large-scale fraud uncovered in Minnesota, including the more than $250 million pandemic-era Feeding Our Future scheme.

>>Funding Available to Restore and Protect Minnesota’s Peatlands

(St. Paul, MN) – The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources is accepting applications for Reinvest in Minnesota conservation easements to restore and protect previously drained peatlands. About $9.5 million in state and federal funding is available. Minnesota has nearly seven million acres of peatlands, the most in the Lower 48 states. These carbon-rich wetlands store large amounts of carbon but can release greenhouse gases when drained. Restoring them helps reduce emissions while improving flood control, water quality, and wildlife habitat.

>>Timberwolves Close Out Road Trip in Utah 

(Salt Lake City, UT) – The Minnesota Timberwolves play the Jazz tonight at 8 p.m. in Salt Lake City. The Wolves are coming off back-to-back losses in Houston and San Antonio following a win at Milwaukee last week. Minnesota is 27-16 and is 2-0 against Utah this season. The team is back at Target Center on Thursday to face the Chicago Bulls.