>>House GOP Attempt to Impeach Governor Walz and Attorney General Ellison Fails
(St. Paul, MN) — House Republicans tried and failed at starting the process of impeachment proceedings against Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison. G-O-P Representative Isaac Schultz of Elmdale Township asked members, “What brought us here? Not following the law. Not enforcing the law,which is the role of the executive branch. Nine billion dollars of fraud in Medicaid only, over $300 million in Feeding Our Future.” D-F-L Representative Sydney Jordan of Minneapolis responded, “I don’t understand what we’re doing here. Have there been crimes, charges, and convictions for our executives? No. Do we impeach Minnesota’s elected officials just because we don’t like them? No.” The vote was 8-8 along party lines, and the resolutions to impeach failed to advance.
>>Legislation in Minnesota Senate Would Tax State Fraud Money
(St. Paul, MN) — A bill that would place a 100% tax on stolen state money through fraud is working its way through the State Capitol. Republican Senator Steve Drazkowski of Mazeppa said, “We need to create a much stronger deterrent to the thievery of taxpayers’ money in our state. This bill we are talking about today is to do what the people are asking us to do. To make the taxpayers whole and get our stolen taxpayer money back.” The tax would be put on anyone convicted of fraud in the state. The bill has bipartisan support in the House and Senate.
>>Minnesota Senate Passes Bill to Boost Animal Health
(St. Paul, MN) — A bill passed in the state Senate would modernize regulations and licensing for Minnesota’s Board of Veterinary Medicine, veterinarians, and technicians. Senator Rob Kupec of Moorhead led the bill through the Senate on a 52-13 vote. Kupec said it was needed because the state is facing a critical shortage of veterinarians. Kupec added besides house pets, the bill also keeps livestock healthy in the state’s agricultural system.
>>States Win Antitrust Case Against Live Nation and Ticketmaster
(Washington, DC) — Attorney General Keith Ellison says Minnesota and a coalition of more than 30 states won a major antitrust trial against Live Nation and Ticketmaster Wednesday. After a five-week trial, a jury found the companies illegally abused monopoly power. Ticketmaster unlawfully maintained a monopoly in ticketing at major venues, while Live Nation monopolized large amphitheaters and tied artists to its promotion services. Financial penalties will be decided in a separate court phase. Senator Amy Klobuchar says fans, artists, and venues have known for years that the company abused its power.
>>US Senate to Vote on Bill Allowing Copper Nickel Mining near BWCA
(Washington, DC) — The U-S Senate is scheduled to vote this morning (Thurs) on a resolution to allow copper-nickel mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Senator Tina Smith says,” Minnesotans are pro-mining for iron ore, for taconite, and for copper-nickel with one important exception, they overwhelmingly oppose sulfide-ore copper mines that would be located within the watershed of the Boundary Waters.” The Minnesota Democrat also argued the minerals would be sent to China to be smelted and not benefit anyone in the U-S. Supporters of the proposed Twin Metals mine claim it can be done safely near the B-W-C-A and will create thousands of jobs.
>>Severe Weather Awareness Week Underway in Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) — It’s Severe Weather Awareness Week, and Minnesota public safety officials are reminding residents to get ready before storms hit. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Allison Farole says it’s important to know the difference between a tornado watch and a warning—calling a ‘watch’ a time to stay alert, and a ‘warning’ a signal to take immediate action. Officials also urge families to have a severe weather plan, and an emergency kit stocked with essentials like medication, water, food, flashlights, and a battery-operated radio.
>>MPD Chief Meets With Family of Allison Lussier, Pledges Continued Investigation
(Minneapolis, MN) — Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara says he’s committed to continuing the homicide investigation into the death of Allison Lussier and improving domestic violence call responses. Lussier was found dead inside her North Loop apartment in February 2024. This happened just days after calling police to report an assault by her boyfriend. The medical examiner later ruled her manner of death undetermined. M-P-D leaders met with Lussier’s family and invited community members. O’Hara says the case remains an open homicide investigation, and investigators are taking a fresh look to gather additional evidence that could lead to criminal charges.
>>Minneapolis Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder of Ex-Girlfriend
(Minneapolis, MN) — A jury finds a Minneapolis man guilty of first-degree murder for killing his ex-girlfriend. Prosecutors say 51-year-old David Wright shot and killed 34-year-old Mariah Samuels in April of last year. Court records show Samuels on Facebook shortly before the shooting, saying Wright had threatened her family and damaged her car. She also had an active order for protection against him. The conviction on a first-degree premeditated murder charge carries an automatic sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Wright will be sentenced tomorrow morning (Fri). Samuels’ family criticized Minneapolis police, saying she made multiple calls asking for help before her death.
>>Iron Range Man Sentenced to 24 Years for Sexually Assault of Boy Under 14
(Duluth, MN) — A man from the Iron Range will spend up to 24 years in prison for sexually assaulting a boy under age 14. A St. Louis County judge sentenced 39-year-old Matthew Tourigny of Britt to 288 months for first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Prosecutors say Tourigny pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting the boy between October 2021 and December of 2024. The 24-year prison sentence is double the state sentencing guideline of 12 years.
>>Teen Auto Theft Suspect Arrested with Guns in Brooklyn Center
(Brooklyn Center, MN) — A Brooklyn Center teen is in custody for alleged auto thefts in Minneapolis and possession of weapons. A Brooklyn Center SWAT team executed a high-risk search warrant with drones Tuesday, and the juvenile was detained in a home without incident. Officers say at least four guns were seized during the search. No injuries were reported.
>>Red Sox Beat Twins in Series Finale at Target Field
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Twins are off today (Thurs) following a 9-5 loss to the Red Sox Wednesday in the series finale at Target Field. Twins starter Simeon Woods Richardson allowed six earned runs over five innings to take the loss. Ryan Kreidler had a three-run homer for Minnesota and Austin Martin hit his first home run of the season. The 11-8 Twins open a three-game series with the 11-7 Reds Friday night at home.
