>>State Health Department Delays 170 Employee Layoffs
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Department of Health is delaying around 170 layoffs thanks to a temporary restraining order on federal grant funding cuts. Health Commissioner Brooke Cunningham said, “We continue to remain hopeful for a positive long-term outcome in this case that would allow us to mitigate the need to layoff so many smart, dedicated staff.” M-D-H sent layoff and separation notices to 170 employees because of 226-million dollars in terminated federal grants. The effective layoff date was pushed back to May 13th.
>>Governor Walz Headed to the Fargo-Moorhead Area Today
(Moorhead, MN) — Governor Tim Walz is traveling to the Fargo-Moorhead area today (Wed). During his visit, Walz will attend a meeting to discuss the Fargo Moorhead Area Flood Diversion Project, highlight infrastructure at the new Dilworth fire station, and attend a town hall in Moorhead with lawmakers to discuss the impacts of federal funding cuts. The governor is also expected to push for a bonding bill to support infrastructure projects aimed at creating jobs and improving safety.
>>MN Farm Bureau President Reacts to Legislative Session So Far
(Waverly, MN) — Minnesota Farm Bureau President Dan Glessing says the state legislature is doing “okay” this session. He says they supported the four million dollars to prevent the spread of bird flu. Glessing says another highlight was the steady funding to the Department of Agriculture given the budget situation. The House ag funding bill is 17 million dollars more than last year’s budget. Glessing says they’d also like the cap removed on the beginning farmers tax credit and additional funding for wolf depredation.
>>Heintzeman Wins GOP Primary in Minnesota Senate District 6
(Brainerd, MN) — Republican candidate Keri Heintzeman of Nisswa is the winner of Tuesday’s primary in Minnesota Senate District 6 in Crow Wing and Itasca counties. She received nearly 47 percent of the votes and John Howe finished second with just over 15 percent. Heintzeman hopes to fill the seat of ex-Republican state Senator Justin Eichorn of Grand Rapids, who resigned after being arrested and charged with soliciting a minor for prostitution. Heintzeman and Democratic candidate Denise Siply of Breezy Point will meet in the April 29th special election.
>>MN Hands OFF! Coalition Demands Return of Wrongly Deported Man
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Hands OFF! Coalition is protesting outside the Consulate of El Salvador in St. Paul today (Wed 3-6 pm) to demand the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia of Maryland. The U-S Supreme Court ruled 9-0 that Garcia be returned to the United States after being mistakenly deported. The Trump Administration has refused. This also comes after hundreds have been detained and deported since Trump took office.
>>St. Cloud Man Sentenced to 40 Years for Fatal Shooting
(St. Cloud, MN) — A St. Cloud man is sentenced to 40 years in prison for a 2023 shooting that killed one person and injured two others. Twenty-seven-year-old Deionte Parker was found guilty of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and possessing a gun illegally last month. Police in St. Cloud found 34-year-old Antonio Harris Junior of Buffalo lying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds and he died at the scene. Two other men were also shot and injured. Investigators learned Parker arrived at a party armed before shooting the victims. Parker and Harris had gotten into an argument the week before.
>>Minnesota Wild Top Ducks in OT to Clinch Playoff Spot
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Wild are headed to the N-H-L playoffs following a 3-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks in overtime at the Xcel Energy Center. Joel Eriksson Ek scored the game-tying goal with 22 seconds left in regulation, and Matt Boldy netted the game-winner in O-T. Goaltender Filip Gustavsson made 22 saves in regulation and Marc-Andre Fleury came off the bench to stop five shots in overtime in his final regular season game. Minnesota will face Las Vegas in the first round of the playoffs. Tickets go on sale at 10 a-m today (Wed) on the Wild website or through Ticketmaster.
