>>Minnesota House Approves $50 Million Balance for Disaster Contingency Fund
(St. Paul, MN) — The state’s Disaster Contingency Fund would always be in line for any available part of a budget surplus to keep its balance at 50 million dollars if possible, under a bill the Minnesota House unanimously passed Thursday evening. Representative Gene Pelowski of Winona says the original impetus for the fund was the biggest disaster in the history of the state in 2007 when southeastern Minnesota was hit in one Sunday night with 18 inches of rain. Pelowski indicates some creative and “not-so-creative” sources of funding have propped up the Disaster Contingency Fund over the years — and he contends a long-term stable source is needed to ensure assistance is available without a special legislative session.
>>Minnesota Senate Republicans Attempt to Cancel MPLS Rideshare Ordinance
(St. Paul, MN) — After the Minneapolis City Council postponed the start of the controversial Uber/Lyft ordinance until July 1st, Republicans tried again in the Minnesota Senate late Thursday to cancel that ordinance entirely. But the Democratic majority blocked it on procedural grounds. G-O-P Senator Jim Abeler of Anoka says pre-empting the Minneapolis ordinance would support discussions on retaining Uber. But Minneapolis Democrat Scott Dibble says,” Every single day, really important conversations to figure this out with a sense of urgency, …and so the work is happening.”
>>House Bill Would Make Minnesota Film & TV a State Agency
(St. Paul, MN) — A bill pending in the House would make the Minnesota Film and T-V Office an official state agency. Executive director Melodie Bahan says everything the nonprofit currently does would transfer to the state. She says that includes the administration of 25 million dollars in tax incentives, first contact with the film makers and producers, and marketing and promotion of the state to the industry. Bahan says Minnesota is the only state that has a nonprofit running a film production tax incentive program. The proposed state agency would be called the Explore Minnesota Film Office.
>>Prior Lake Man Facing Decades of Prison Time for Apple River Stabbing Conviction
(Hudson, WI) — Nicolae Miu of Prior Lake could face decades in prison for a July 2022 stabbing on the Apple River that left a Stillwater teen dead and four others wounded. A St. Croix County jury found Miu guilty of first-degree reckless homicide in the killing of 17-year-old Isaac Schuman Thursday which is a lesser charge than first-degree intentional homicide. He was also convicted of reckless endangerment for stabbing the other tubers and one count of battery against a woman. The first-degree reckless homicide count carries a maximum penalty of up to 40 years in prison in Wisconsin. Miu’s sentencing hearing hasn’t been scheduled.
>>Burnsville Woman Pleads Guilty in Feeding Our Future Fraud Scheme
(Minneapolis, MN) — A Burnsville woman is pleading to federal charges for her role in the 250-million-dollar “Feeding Our Future” fraud scheme. Prosecutors say 53-year-old Hoda Ali Abdi falsely claimed she provided about three million dollars’ worth of food for children through other co-conspirators’ meal sites. Investigators say she also claimed to have served over 242-thousand meals to children at her Burnsville location. Abdi is the 18th defendant to plead guilty in the case.
>>Body Recovered from Maple Grove Pond
(Maple Grove, MN) — Police say a body was recovered from a pond Thursday afternoon in Maple Grove in an area where they had been searching for a missing 18-year-old. The body hasn’t been officially identified by the medical examiner, but investigators are in contact with the missing teen’s family. The remains were found near the same location where authorities searched for Winston Drepaul in late March.
>>Man Killed in Minneapolis Shooting on Thursday
(Minneapolis, MN) — A man is dead after a shooting in Thursday afternoon in northwest Minneapolis. Officers say they found a 23-year-old man suffering a life-threatening gunshot wound inside a vehicle. Life-saving measures were performed before the victim was brought to the hospital where he later died. Investigators say no arrests have been made.
>>Minnesota DNR: It’s Time to be Bear Aware
(St. Paul, MN) — With the weather warming up and people spending more time outside, the D-N-R is asking the public to be “bear aware” and take steps to avoid potential conflicts with black bears this spring. As the bears emerge from their dens this time of year, they are hungry and often explore more territories in search of food. Officials say they are normally solitary forest animals, but their powerful sense of smell can lead them into more urban areas for an easy meal. The D-N-R says you can prevent possible bear visits by removing bird feeders, reducing food odors, and keeping outdoor garbage containers tightly sealed.
>>Boston College and Denver Advance to NCAA Frozen Four Championship
(St. Paul, MN) — Boston College and Denver University will meet in the N-C-A-A Frozen Four men’s hockey final tomorrow (Sat) at the Xcel Energy Center. Denver upset Boston University 2-1 in overtime in the first national semifinal game Thursday. Bloomington native Tristan Broz scored the game-winner for the Pioneers. Top-ranked Boston College skated past Michigan 4-0 in the second semifinal last night. The Eagles and Pioneers face off in the national championship game at 5 pm tomorrow in St. Paul.
