>>Minnesota House to Debate Cannabis Policy Bill
(St. Paul, MN) — A bill setting rules and regulations for the state’s recreational cannabis industry will be debated today (Thurs 3:30pm) on the Minnesota House floor. Office of Cannabis Management interim director Charlene Briner says a lot of businesses will be applying for licenses and the process includes the vetted steps of a lottery and the required merit-based application components. She says some social equity applicants will receive license “pre-approval” to prepare their business, secure capital and gain local government approval. Retail cannabis sales are expected to begin sometime in 2025.
>>Housing Advocates Rally at State Capitol for Habitat Day on the Hill
(St. Paul, MN) — More than 150 housing advocates are rallying in Minnesota State Capitol this morning (Thurs 10:30 am) as part of Habitat Day on the Hill. Habitat for Humanity members will be pushing lawmakers to establish a working group on homeowners’ associations, investing in housing infrastructure bonds, reducing barriers to building more homes, and a constitutional amendment for affordable housing. Governor Tim Walz is scheduled to speak at the rally.
>>Rep. Lee Calls for Action on Emissions at Northern Iron& Machine Foundry
(St. Paul, MN) — Representative Liz Lee of St. Paul says she’s demanding the Northern Iron and Machine foundry take accountability after a report found the facility is very likely emitting lead and other particles above national ambient air quality standards. Lee says she’s “deeply concerned ” and urges Northern Iron take immediate action as “there are elementary school and childcare providers in the area.” The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says it’s been working with the new owners, requiring the company reduce emissions of lead and particulate matter to meet air quality standards by May 16th.
>>First Lady Biden to Speak at Education Minnesota Convention on Friday
(Bloomington, MN) — First Lady Jill Biden is coming to Minnesota on Friday. Biden campaign officials say Doctor Biden will speak at the Education Minnesota Representative Convention at a Bloomington hotel. More than 600 delegates are meeting to set Education Minnesota union policy on Friday and Saturday. Mrs. Biden is a community college professor and has promoted educational opportunities as first lady.
>>MN Cuba Coalition to Rally at Klobuchar’s Minneapolis Office
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Cuba Coalition will gather today (Thurs 4pm) at Senator Amy Klobuchar’s Minneapolis office to call for an end to the U-S embargo of Cuba. Under the banner of “Minnesotans Love Cuba,” the group will deliver a petition with hundreds of signatures supporting a call on the Biden administration to take Cuba off the States Sponsors of Terrorism list, demanding Klobuchar sign it as well. Klobuchar co-sponsored the Freedom to Export to Cuba Act and traveled there in 2016 with then President Obama and Minnesota Congressman Tom Emmer.
>>Body of Missing Teen Recovered from Southwest Minnesota Lake
(Windom, MN) — The Cottonwood County Sheriff’s Office reports the body of missing teen has been recovered from a southwest Minnesota lake. Search crews located the 15-year-old late Wednesday morning in Eagle Lake. Deputies say the boy jumped out of a canoe Monday to retrieve an oar and disappeared swimming back to shore. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office is expected to officially identify the victim and the cause of death.
>>Minnesota Aviation Student Killed in Plane Crash in Northwest Indiana
(Lafayette, IN) — Authorities in northwest Indiana say a 20-year-old pilot from Minnesota was the victim in a deadly plane crash last week. The Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office says Alexander Foss from Maple Grove died when the single engine plane crashed April 11th northwest of Lafayette, Indiana. A school spokesman said Foss was a junior at Purdue University majoring in aviation flight. The F-A-A is still looking into the crash.
>>Sentencing set for Prior Lake Man Convicted of Apple River Stabbings
(Hudson, WI) — The Minnesota man convicted of fatally stabbing a Stillwater teen and wounding four others on the Apple River in western Wisconsin will be sentenced on July 31st. A St. Croix County jury found 54-year-old Nicolae Miu of Prior Lake guilty of first-degree reckless homicide in the killing of 17-year-old Isaac Schuman on July 30th, 2022. He was also convicted of four counts of reckless endangerment and one count of battery. The first-degree reckless homicide count carries a maximum penalty of up to 40 years in prison. Victim impact statements will be read at Miu’s sentencing hearing.
>> Interim Presidents for St. Cloud State, Northland Community & Technical College
(St. Paul, MN) — Two Minnesota colleges and universities will have new interim presidents in July. The Minnesota State Board named Shari Olson to serve as the interim president of Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. The board also selected Larry Dietz as interim president of St. Cloud State University. Olson and Dietz both came out of retirement and will serve until a new president for each school is selected.
>>Minneapolis City Council Considers $15 Minimum Price for Tobacco Products
(Minneapolis, MN) — Cigarettes and other tobacco products could cost at least 15 dollars a pack under a proposed ordinance change in Minneapolis. City Council members also want to eliminate coupons for tobacco products, increase penalties for selling to minors, and close a loophole that allows indoor smoking in some establishments. Opponents claim the price hike and changes will hurt businesses and not deter smoking and tobacco use.
