>>Legislative Leaders Continue to Push for Bonding Bill This Session
(St. Paul, MN) — The proposed bonding bills at the Minnesota Capitol range in cost from $700 million up to $1.35 billion. D-F-L Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy says lawmakers have to pass a bill for infrastructure projects this session. She says, “there’s not a good reason to wait. And we know the projects get more expensive so it’s common sense to proceed and we should.” Republican Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson agrees as long as it’s the right bill. He says infrastructure needs include wastewater, the roads, and bridges. The state legislature failed to pass a bonding bill in 2024 and many projects are waiting for state funding.
>>Private Schools Oppose Walz’s Proposed Cuts to Nonpublic School Funding
(Minneapolis, MN) — Private schools are speaking out after learning that Governor Walz’s revised budget proposes cutting $109 million over the next two years in nonpublic school funding. Vice President Quentin Moore of Ascension Catholic Academy, a consortium of four schools, says this would affect two significant areas for nonpublic students: safety and essential resources. He says those services also include transportation. Moore claims this is a punishment to those seeking alternative learning environments. The state is looking at multi-billion-dollar budget deficits in a couple years.
>>Congresswoman Craig Speaks at ‘Hands Off the VA’ Rally in Eagan
(Eagan, MN) — Congresswoman Angie Craig is speaking out against the Trump administration’s plan to cut 80 thousand jobs at the U-S Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Minnesota Democrat spoke at a “Hands Off the V-A” rally Thursday in Eagan. Craig said, “folks that I talk to in Minneapolis, across Minnesota, across the 2nd District, we have one of the best V-As in the country. And we have to make sure that we protect those services for our veterans.” Craig notes that “so many” of the affected V-A workers are also military veterans. She says one of the jobs eliminated at the Minneapolis V-A was a veteran employee who helped cut waste, fraud, and abuse in the V-A system.
>>Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker to Headline DFL Humphrey-Mondale Dinner
(St. Paul, MN) — Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker will headline the Minnesota D-F-L Party’s Humphrey-Mondale Dinner this year. The 13th annual event is scheduled for Friday June 13th at the Minneapolis Hilton. D-F-L Chair Richard Carlbom praised the record of Governor Pritzker. Carlbom says, “from raising the minimum wage to protecting freedom, he has shown how Democrats can deliver for people through policies grounded in fairness and compassion.” The Humphrey-Mondale usually draws around two thousand Minnesota Democrats.
>>Another Record Years for E15 Sales in Minnesota
(Burnsville, MN) — Minnesota set another record for E-15 sales in 2024. Minnesota Biofuels Association director Brian Werner says new data from the Department of Commerce show more than 140 million gallons of Unleaded 88 were sold during the past calendar year. He adds, “and more importantly, at a 17-cent price spread from regular unleaded. That amount of gallons sold actually saved Minnesota consumers $24.2 million at the pump.” Werner says it was also a record year nationally. He says he’s hopeful 2025 will be an even bigger year for E -15 sales in Minnesota and the U-S.
>>Minnesota Department of Health Updates Fish Consumption Guide
(St. Paul, MN — The Minnesota Department of Health is updating its fish consumption guide because of PFAS levels in certain bodies of water. Program Lead Angela Preimesberger says the guidelines advise everyone to completely avoid eating certain fish. Some bodies of water in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, southern or southwestern Minnesota and in northern Minnesota have all been impacted. Preimesberger says certain populations like those who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant and kids under 15 are more sensitive to PFAS. A full list of the impacted bodies of water can be found on the Department of Health’s website.
>>Iron Range to Get New Public Works Facility
(Hibbing, MN) — The St. Louis County Board is giving approval for a new 45-million-dollar public works facility on the Iron Range. The new building will be in Balkan Township and serve Hibbing, Chisholm, and the surrounding areas. The current building was built in the 1940s and can no longer serve as a public works building. The new public works facility will be ready to open by the summer of 2027.
>>Fugitive Arrested in Waseca after Standoff for Cutting Off Monitoring Bracelet
(Waseca, MN) — Police in south central Minnesota say a fugitive is in custody following a standoff with law enforcement Thursday in Waseca. Officers say 37-year-old Luis Barajas was wanted by the Minnesota Department of Corrections for cutting off his monitoring bracelet and avoiding capture. Authorities say Barajas refused to come out of his residence for more than an hour and they deployed tear gas inside. He crawled into another unit of the building through the ceiling to escape the tear gas and was later taken into custody. Barajas was transported to a prison facility by Department of Corrections officers.
>>Farmington Man Charged with Attempted Murder in Wife’s Stabbing
(Hastings, MN) — A Farmington man is charged with first- and second-degree attempted murder for the alleged stabbing of his wife. Police found the victim in a bedroom lying on her side in a pool of blood Tuesday morning. Officers say 52-year-old Mehdi Badaoui was in the garage with blood on his hand. His wife was taken to the hospital for emergency surgery on ten stab wounds. A bloodied pocketknife was recovered at the scene. Badaoui is in the Dakota County jail on $1 million bond.
>>Duluth Fire Marshal Searches for Suspects, Info in Suspicious Fire
(Duluth, MN) — The Duluth Fire Marshal’s Office is asking for the public’s help identifying people who may have information about a suspicious fire. Fire Marshal Lisa Consie says there was a suspicious fire the night of February 16th in the Lincoln Park neighborhood . The fire destroyed the two-and-a-half-story duplex and it’s unknown what caused it. Officials ask anyone with video, imagery, or other information to come forward. Up to $5,000 may be rewarded to those who give information that leads to the prosecution of those responsible.
>>Minnesota Teen Dies in Western Wisconsin Crash
(Polk County, WI) — The victim of a fatal crash in western Wisconsin earlier this week is identified as an 18-year-old from Lino Lakes. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says 18-year-old Marley Mickelsen died in a T-bone crash Tuesday morning. Authorities say Mickelsen was driving a car and “failed to stop at the stop sign and went into the path of a southbound pickup truck.” Mickelsen died at the scene, while two people in the truck were taken by ambulance to an area hospital with serious injuries.
>>Minnesota Twins Open Weekend Series at Atlanta Braves
(Atlanta, GA) — The Minnesota Twins open a three-game interleague series tonight (Fri 6pm) at the Atlanta Braves. The Twins just won two straight over the Mets at Target Field. Minnesota walked off New York 4-3 in ten innings in the series finale Wednesday afternoon. Chris Paddack is the starting pitcher for the opener in Atlanta. Righthander Bryce Elder is on the mound tonight for the Braves. The Twins placed outfielder Matt Wallner on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a strained hamstring.
