>>National Weather Service Confirms 5 Tornadoes in Southeastern Minnesota
(La Crosse, WI) — The National Weather Service confirms five tornadoes touched down Friday in southeastern Minnesota. N-W-S crews were surveying tornado damage over the weekend. More than 100 homes were damaged in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. The Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office reports that at least 50 local homes were damaged. An EF-2 tornado with a peak wind speed of 130 miles per hour hit the Stewartville area and was the strongest of the five. No injuries have been reported.
>>Minnesota House Hearing on Office of Inspector General Bill
(St. Paul, MN) — The Office of Inspector General bill to combat fraud gets another hearing this morning (Mon)in the House Ways and Means Committee. Representative Matt Norris of Blaine says he’s not surprised the bill has run into several roadblocks in the House. Norris says, “we’re creating a whole new state agency. It will arguably be the most powerful entity in state government when you look at the independence and the powers and duties that we’re giving this office.” Norris doesn’t think the bill will pass out of committee this morning, but he’s still confident it will pass the full House by the end of session.
>>Opponents say DNR Can Cancel Leases for Mine near BWCA
(St. Paul, MN) — Opponents of a proposed copper-nickel mine near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness say the project still faces permitting hurdles at the state and federal levels. Pete Marshall with Friends of the Boundary Waters says Minnesota can still fight back against an overreaching federal government. He says, “Right now, Governor Walz and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources can cancel one of Twins Metals’ state mineral leases.” He says they’re asking Minnesotans to contact the D-N-R. Supporters of Twin Metals are celebrating Senate passage of a resolution lifting a 20-year ban on mining.
>>Sen. Hoffman’s Family Sues Boelter for Slew of Crimes
(St. Paul, MN) — Senator John Hoffman’s family is suing Vance Boelter, the man accused of carrying out a targeted political attack last summer. Fifty-seven-year-old Boelter disguised himself as a police officer and went to the Hoffmans’ Champlin home June 14th, 2025. He opened fire after a confrontation, shooting Hoffman and his wife Yvette multiple times. They both survived while shielding their daughter, Hope. The civil lawsuit accuses Boelter of assault, battery, emotional distress, and negligence, claiming he stalked the family ahead of the attack. It also details lasting physical and psychological injuries suffered by all three family members. He’s also charged with fatally shooting House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark, and their dog Gilbert. It’s unknown if he will face the death penalty.
>>State Links February Job Losses to ICE Operations
(St. Paul, MN) — State officials say federal immigration enforcement may have contributed to a sharp drop in Minnesota jobs in February. The state lost 61-hundred jobs last month — about double the national rate. Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Matt Varilek says the timing of ICE’s Operation Metro Surge overlaps with when the data was collected. He says some workers may have been afraid to show up for work, shrinking the labor force by 85-hundred workers. Varilek says ICE activity wasn’t the only cause but likely played a significant role. Minnesota’s unemployment rate rose to 4.5 percent.
>>Shots Fired in St. Cloud Road Rage Incident
(St. Cloud, MN) — A targeted road rage shooting in St. Cloud early Sunday left one driver injured and another in custody. Police say a man aggressively followed another vehicle north on Highway 15. When the victim exited onto County Road 120 near Sam’s Club, the suspect pulled alongside and fired several shots, hitting the victim. The injured driver called 9-1-1, while the shooter fled. His vehicle was later found at a Sauk Rapids bar, and the 24-year-old suspect turned himself in. Officers say the incident was targeted and tied to a dispute involving a mutual friend.
>>Driver and Passenger Seriously Injured in Otter Tail County OHV Crash
(Fergus Falls, MN) — Two people from Fergus Falls are hospitalized with serious injuries suffered in an off highway vehicle crash. The Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office says a 39-year-old man was driving the O-H-V and mudding in a field on private property Saturday evening when it rolled. The driver and a 29-year-old female passenger were ejected, and driver was pinned under the roll bars. Deputies say witnesses were able to lift the O-H-V enough to get the driver out. Both riders were taken to a Fergus Falls hospital with serious injuries.
>>Minnesotans Get Free Entry to State Parks This Saturday
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesotans can explore all 73 state parks and recreation areas for free this Saturday as the D-N-R waives vehicle permit fees. Parks and Trails communications specialist Lauren Peck says spring visitors may spot early wildflowers like bloodroot and see migratory birds returning or passing through the state. She adds that the D-N-R’s Park Finder tool can help you choose a park based on amenities like camping or picnic shelters. More details are available on the D-N-R website.
>>Wild and Timberwolves Play Second Game of Playoffs Monday Night
(Dallas, TX) — The Minnesota Wild and Timberwolves both play the second game of the postseason tonight (Mon) on the road. The Wild look to go up two games-to-none in Dallas. Minnesota routed the Stars 6-1 in Game One of the N-H-L playoffs Saturday. The Wolves fell to the Nuggets 116-105 in the series opener on Saturday in Colorado. Minnesota will try to end Denver’s 13-game winning streak in Game Two of the N-B-A playoffs tonight at Ball Arena.
