>>House DFL Leader Stephenson Calls for Answers After Lawmaker DWI Arrest
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota House D-F-Leader Zack Stephenson is calling for more information following last week’s D-W-I arrest of G-O-P Representative Elliot Engen in White Bear Lake. Stephenson says Engen and his passenger, Representative Walter Hudson of Albertville, left committee hearings early, returned to vote on legislation, and later continued drinking before Engen’s arrest. Stephenson questioned whether the lawmakers were impaired while voting on the House floor. He also cited the police report indicating that Hudson was carrying a concealed handgun. Minnesota law bans permit holders from carrying a firearm with a blood-alcohol level over .04, and asks whether Hudson complied. Stephenson also wants to know about a bottle of alcohol found in a child’s car seat and the identity of a third passenger in the vehicle.
>>House and Senate Republicans Vow Not to Raise Taxes This Session
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota House Republican leaders have been holding to their promise of no new taxes during this legislative session. Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson says that’s the right call. Johnson said, “I can’t imagine a situation where we feel we have to start raising taxes again on Minnesotans after Democrats raised $10 billion more in taxes. We are getting taxed to the maximum.” Democrats are pushing for a bonding bill this session. Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy says, “It’s certainly a high priority for our caucus. But I think it’s a priority for all four caucuses because that’s what I’ve heard over and over again. ” House G-O-P leaders said they wouldn’t raise taxes last year but approved a 50-percent increase in the cannabis tax as part of the budget deal.
>>License Application Window Re-Opens for Low-Dose Hemp Products
(St. Paul, MN) — The application window re-opens today (Wed) for Minnesota businesses seeking low-dose hemp licenses. The Office of Cannabis Management requires all companies that make or sell hemp edibles and drinks to have a state license. Officials say many operations missed the first application period last fall. A new federal rule could ban the sale of most hemp-derived products in November. There’s more information and license applications on the O-C-M’s website.
>>Minnesota Ties to Mission to Moon
(Undated) — As NASA prepares to send astronauts back toward the Moon tonight for the first time in more than 50 years, Minnesota plays a key role in the mission. Honeywell developed critical electronics that guide the Orion spacecraft at its Plymouth facility, where engineers design radiation-hardened technology to withstand the extremes of deep space. The University of Minnesota is also contributing through research and training the next generation of aerospace scientists as part of the state’s Space Grant Consortium. While Artemis II lifts off from Florida, science and engineering from Minnesota are helping send humans back to the Moon.
>>ME Determines Man and Child Died in Murder-Suicide near Detroit Lakes
(Detroit Lakes, MN) — The fatal shootings of a man and a child near Detroit Lakes on Monday are believed to be a murder-suicide. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office says three-year-old Koltyn Bartnes died of a homicide and the death of 45-year-old Gene Bartnes has been ruled a suicide. Becker County authorities said the brother of Bartnes went to check on him because he didn’t show up for work. He found Gene dead of a gunshot wound in the home and sheriff’s deputies discovered his son.
>>Statewide Distracted Driving Campaign Kicks Off in April
(Undated) — Law enforcement across Minnesota is launching a statewide distracted driving campaign this month. The agencies will be joined today by family members who’ve lost loved ones to distracted driving crashes. Shakopee Mayor Matt Lehman says his family’s life changed forever after his daughter-in-law Ashley, died from injuries sustained in a Scott County crash last year. Between 2020 and 2026, distracted driving led to more than 33-thousand crashes and 162 deaths statewide. Officials remind drivers: hands-free is the law with fines starting at 100 dollars and felony charges possible if someone is hurt or killed.
>>Another Shot of Winter in Minnesota Next Few Days
(Chanhassen, MN) — Winter storm watches and winter weather advisories go into effect later today (Wed) for most of Minnesota. Ryan Dunleavy (DUN’- lee-vee) of the National Weather Service says snowfall amounts will depend on the track of the storm system. He says we could see anywhere from one to three inches just north of the Twin Cities metro, closer to four to six inches as you get near Lake Mille Lacs, and getting higher as you go farther north. Dunleavy says the heaviest snow will likely fall in western and central Minnesota. Far southern and southeastern Minnesota could see mostly rainfall.
>>Golden Gophers vs. Baylor in College Basketball Crown Tournament
(Las Vegas, NV) — The University of Minnesota men’s basketball team plays Baylor tonight (Wed 9:30) in the College Basketball Crown Tournament in Las Vegas. The 15-17 Golden Gophers last game was a March 11th loss to Rutgers in the Big Ten Tournament. The 16-16 Bears were knocked out of the Big 12 Tournament by Arizona State. Minnesota native Cameron Carr leads Baylor in scoring with 19 points per game and is the son of former Timberwolves guard Chris Carr. This will be the first all-time meeting between the two programs. The winner advances to Saturday’s semifinals to take on either Oklahoma or Colorado.
