>>Storm System Packing Snow, Rain and Mix Moving into Minnesota
(Chanhassen, MN) — Winter storm watches and weather advisories are posted today into tomorrow (Tues &Wed) for a large part of Minnesota. National Weather Service Meteorologist Joe Calderon says this storm system is packing a lot of precipitation. He says the entire state is going to see combination of snow, rain-snow, or rain. Calderon adds that northern parts of the state are going to see some healthy amounts more than six inches especially once you go to the northeastern part of the state. Parts of central Minnesota could see freezing rain or sleet while southern half of the state will receive a lot of rain.
>>Walz Wants Answers About ICE Agents Detaining Minnesota College Students
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz says the state needs answers about U-S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detaining Minnesota college students. A U of M grad student was detained Thursday and a Minnesota State-Mankato student on Friday. Walz says his office has yet to receive information from Homeland Security about these incidents. The governor said on social media, “snatching up students who come here legally to work hard and get an education does not make you tough on immigration.”
>>Minnesota House DFL and GOP Have Agreement on Budget Targets
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota House Democrats and Republicans have an agreement on their budget targets for the session. The plan includes more than a billion dollars in spending cuts. But D-F-L Representative Zack Stephenson of Coon Rapids says some programs will remain protected including education and housing. He said, “I think for a lot of folks the cuts in the health and human services area are troubling and we could have avoided some of those if we had had new revenue.” G-O-P House Speaker Lisa Demuth says she looks forward to putting together a common-sense budget that makes life more affordable for Minnesotans.
>>My Pillow Founder Lindell Considering Run for Minnesota Governor
(Chaska, MN) — My Pillow founder and Trump loyalist Mike Lindell might be a Republican candidate for governor next year. Lindell said on his podcast Monday, “I am considering it and I’m going to do due diligence , as we roll out this…I’m gonna make some bigger announcements tomorrow.” Lindell says he plans to do polling to help determine whether he’ll seek the G-O-P nomination for Minnesota governor. He also said, “I live here in Minnesota, everywhere I go nobody wants Tim Walz. ” Governor Walz hasn’t announced whether he’ll run for a third term.
>>Distracted Driving Campaign Begins Tuesday on Minnesota Roads
(St. Paul, MN) — Law enforcement officers in Minnesota will be targeting distracted drivers starting today (Tues). Shannon Grabow with the state Office of Traffic Safety says, “drivers need to understand that multitasking behind the wheel is a myth. It simply doesn’t work. Distracted driving isn’t just careless. It’s simply selfish and dangerous.” In 2024, distracted driving was a factor in at least 29 fatal crashes in Minnesota and an estimated 137 serious injuries.
>>Robbinsdale Area Schools to See Major Layoffs
(Robbinsdale, MN) — The Robbinsdale School District will see over 200 layoffs this year to remedy its $21 million budget deficit. Superintendent Doctor Teri Staloch says 24 staff members have already been dismissed, with more to come. The budget flub was discovered last year, stemming from $20 million in compensatory funding being accidentally counted twice.
>>Vigil in Mankato Planned for Slain Kwik Trip Worker
(Mankato, MN) — A vigil is planed Friday night in Mankato for the Kwik Trip employee who was stabbed to death. Police found 34-year-old Dennis Vosika unresponsive on the floor with knife wounds March 18th and he died in the hospital. The community is encouraged to bring candles and lights to the vigil at Sibley Park from 7 to 8:30 on Friday evening. Kwik Trip stations in the Mankato area have donation buckets to raise money for the family of Vosika.
>>Woman Dies in Rochester House Fire
(Rochester, MN) — A woman is dead after a house fire in Rochester. Crews responded to a single-story home on fire around 10:50 Monday night. Officials say the woman was found near the front of the home. She was taken to the hospital and later died. No other injuries were reported. Investigators are trying to determine the cause of the fire.
>>Cass County Woman Sentenced to 17.5 Years for Child Abuse Leading to Death of a Child
(Cass County, MN) — A Cass County woman is sentenced to 17-and-a-half years in prison for abusing and ultimately killing her toddler. In August 2023, deputies responded to a report of a toddler run over in Wilkin Township. The child was airlifted to a hospital where they died. An investigation showed the child’s injuries were likely caused by abuse, not the crash. The child’s mother, 31-year-old Larena Jackson, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on February 10th in exchange for dropped charges of first-degree assault, malicious punishment, and fleeing a police officer.
>>Authorities ID Skier Killed in Accident at Giant’s Ridge
(Biwabik, MN) — Authorities in St. Louis County are identifying the skier who died after an accident at Giant’s Ridge in Biwabik. The Gilbert Police Department says 21-year-old Christian Hufnagle of International Falls was injured Saturday afternoon and taken to the hospital. Doctors attempted life-saving measures, but Hufnagle died. Officers say they’re still investigating the incident.
>>Moorhead Police Release Name of Man Found in the Red River
(Moorhead, MN) — Moorhead Police are releasing the name of a man who died after he was pulled from the Red River last Wednesday. Officers say he was 63-year-old Robert Cartwright of Moorhead. Police and fire crews responded to South River Haven Road after a call of a missing person. Cartwright died at a Fargo hospital. The body was sent to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office in St. Paul. Sergeant Joe Brannan says initial autopsy reports did not show any signs of suspicious circumstances.
>>St. Paul Mayor Carter Declares State of Emergency for Trash Collection
(St. Paul, MN) — St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter declared the city is in a state of emergency beginning this morning (Tues). This comes after the city council blocked a new contract with trash collectors due to issues of where trucks would gas up and park. The state of emergency grants a temporary suspension of zoning regulations to let the new company—F-C-C Environmental Services—continue trash collection as a contract is discussed.
>>Minnesota Wild Earn 1 Point in Shootout Loss at New Jersey
(Newark, NJ) — The Minnesota Wild earn a point in the standings with a 3-2 shootout loss Monday night at New Jersey. Matt Boldy scored the game-tying goal late in the third period to force overtime, but Minnesota was held scoreless in O-T and the shootout. Filip Gustavsson allowed two Devils to score in the shootout after making 26 saves in the first 65 minutes. Minnesota is one point ahead of the St. Louis for the first wild card playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Wild play the Rangers Wednesday at Madison Square Garden.
