>>Walz to Sign Order Eliminating Degree Requirement for State Jobs
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz is signing an executive order today (Mon 1:30 pm) to eliminate four-year college degree requirements for more than 75 percent of state government jobs. His office says the move will open job opportunities for more people, expand the state’s workforce, and make it easier for people in Minnesota to choose state service. Several state officials will join Governor Walz at the news conference.
>>Former North Dakota lawmaker, powerful for decades, facing federal child porn charges
(Undated) — One of North Dakota and the nation’s longest-serving state senators until he resigned last spring — and a powerful figure in that state’s politics for decades — has been indicted on federal child pornography charges. Prosecutors allege 79-year-old Ray Holmberg traveled to the Czech Republic to have sex with a minor and knowingly received child pornography. The charges come two years after federal agents raided Holmberg’s home in Grand Forks following an investigation that found he’d traded scores of text messages with a man jailed on child pornography charges. Investigators say the offenses occurred between June 2011 and November 2016.
>>Hockey Community Mourning Loss of Minnesota-Native
(Undated) — The Minnesota hockey community is mourning the loss of former Minnesota-Duluth Bulldog and Hibbing native Adam Johnson after he was fatally injured in an on-ice accident while playing a hockey game in England. 29-year-old Johnson was injured when he took a skate blade to the neck after a collision with an opposing player while playing for the Nottingham Panthers. Johnson played for the Musketeers from 2013 to 2014 and amassed 117 points. He was leading the team in scoring in his final season. Johnson signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins while playing in college with Minnesota-Duluth and played 13 games with the Penguins and over 250 games with their minor league affiliate. Musketeers CEO Travis Morgan said, “From billets to fans to coaches, everyone liked Adam. Our organization is better because Adam Johnson was in it. Morgan says the Musketeers will be taking steps to honor him the rest of the season.”
>>Closures of some Minnesota Off-Highway Vehicle Trails and Access Routes
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota firearms deer hunting season is fast approaching, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced a move designed to protect recreational riders of off-highway vehicles from potentially unsafe riding conditions and to avoid potential conflicts between deer hunters and riders. According to the DNR, recreational use of off-highway vehicles will be restricted on some state forest trails and access routes. The restrictions do not apply to state forest roads. Those looking to see the status of a specific trail are encouraged to visit the DNR’s website.
>>Iowa Murder Suspect Arrested in MN
(Albert Lea, MN) — An Iowa murder suspect is in custody after being arrested in Freeborn County, Minnesota Saturday. Iowa deputies were sent to a home in Woden around 11 a.m. Saturday on a welfare check found 56-year-old Karen Crews and pronounced her dead at the scene. Police then arrested her estranged husband, 56-year-old Roger Crews without incident in Freeborn County around 8:30 Saturday night.
>>Fargo Mother Gives Birth on the Side of I-29
(Fargo, N.D.) — A Fargo couple welcomed the newest addition to their family this weekend right on the side of I-29. Mikayla and Scott Hagen drove to the hospital to induce Mikayla on Saturday when she started having false contractions and they got in the car. The couple got stuck on I-29 in front of a construction zone about 30 minutes away from a Fargo hospital when Mikayla got out of the truck, pushed, and Scott caught their baby girl, Ilaura Donna. The baby was born with slight hypothermia due to the weather conditions but the couple reports everyone is doing well since being hospitalized.