>>Universal School Meals Bill Approved by Minnesota House
(St. Paul, MN) — Democrats in the Minnesota House are celebrating the passage of a bill Thursday night that would provide universal school meals. D-F-L Representative Laurie Pryor of Minnetonka says, “every student, every day is going to have access to food and the basics of life.” It would create a state program for schools to provide up to two free meals per day to all students. Republican Natalie Zelzenikar of St. Louis County argued the program is a misuse of taxpayer dollars and said they want breakfast and lunch, “for the people who need it.” G-O-P members proposed failed amendments that would have imposed income limits and redirected extra money to other school programs. A corresponding Senate bill has one more committee stop.
>>Minnesota House Committee Passes ‘Red Flag” Gun Safety Law
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota House Judiciary and Civil Law Committee is the latest panel to approve the ‘red flag’ gun safety law. Jeff Potts of the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association says extreme violence protection orders allow law enforcement or family to bring evidence to a judge to temporarily separate that person in crisis from firearms when there is substantial evidence that they pose a significant danger to themselves or others. Republican Jeff Grossell of Clearbrook says this bill leans in the direction of oppressing Second Amendment rights. He told members, “the former law enforcement people that testified. They don’t speak for rural Minnesota sheriffs and chiefs. I can guarantee you that.” Representative Cedrick Frazier of New Hope says red flag laws have reduced suicides and gun deaths in other states.
>>Suspect Arrested for Assault of Congresswoman Angie Craig
(Washington, DC) — Police in Washington, D-C say a suspect is under arrest for the alleged assault of Minnesota Congresswoman Angie Craig. Investigators have not revealed a motive for the attack on Craig in an apartment elevator. Her staff says there’s no evidence that it was politically motivated. Craig suffered some bruises in the attack but is expected to be okay. U-S Capitol police said the 26-year-old man punched Craig in the chin and grabbed her neck before she tossed hot coffee on him.
>>Worker Argument Led to Shooting at Lund Boat Factory in New York Mills
(New York Mills, MN) — Otter Tail County authorities say an argument between co-workers led to a shooting Thursday morning at Lund Boats in New York Mills. Deputies say a 21-year-old employee pulled out a handgun and fired a round, but not did not strike the 31-year-old man. The suspect chased the victim outside and may have fired another round. The sheriff’s office says other Lund workers were able to subdue the alleged shooter until law enforcement arrived. He’s jailed in Fergus Falls pending criminal charges.
>>Bloomington Police ID Alleged Shooter in February 1st Murder-Suicide
(Bloomington, MN) — Police in Bloomington are releasing more information about the February 1st murder-suicide that left a father and son from Buffalo dead. Police Chief Booker Hodges says 43-year-old Richard Myre of Belle Plaine is accused of fatally shooting Dale and Dominick Dahmen before turning the gun on himself in his pickup. Investigators believe Myre shot Dale twice in the head and Dominick was shot seven times after a struggle with Myre. Hodges says the shootings stemmed from some sort of dispute over financial investments and stock trading.
>>Vikings WR Jefferson Wins NFL Offensive Player of Year Award
(Phoenix, AZ) — Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is the N-F-L Offensive Player of the Year. Jefferson received the award Thursday night at the N-F-L Honors event in Phoenix. He caught 128 passes for just over 18-hundred yards and eight touchdowns this season and rushed for a score. Jefferson beat out Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Eagles QB Jalen Hurts for the award. He also won the Moment of the Year award for his amazing one-handed catch on fourth down and 18 against the Buffalo Bills in November.