>>State Capitol Weapons Screening Stops 52 Illegal Items This Session
(St. Paul, MN) — It appears the new weapons screening plan at the State Capitol is working. New numbers show out of more than 121,000 visitors entering the building since February 17th, security has stopped 52 illegal items. State Patrol Colonel Christina Bogojevic says, “those would include knives that aren’t allowed into the capitol building. Someone brought a camping skewer, a marshmallow skewer, that was turned away. I believe there was a screwdriver but the majority of them would be knives, things like that people carry in their pocket.” She says 548 gun owners have entered the State Capitol and had the proper permits with them.
>>Minnesota House Passes Bill to Stop Fraud Payments
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota House approved a bill that would strengthen the ability of state agencies to stop payments to program participants suspected of fraud. When fraud is suspected, this bill lowers the standard of proof from “preponderance of the evidence” to “credible allegation.” It also allows other agencies to notify each other and follow suit if a potential fraudster collects payments from other agencies.
>>Senate Approves Omnibus Bill Focused on Data Centers
(St. Paul, MN) — A bill passed in the Senate includes multiple new rules when it comes to the future of data centers in Minnesota. Members passed the State and Local Government Policy Omnibus bill by a 35 to 32 vote. It has multiple provisions including a ban on public officials from entering into non-disclosure agreements and requires municipalities to hold public meetings on any data center construction. The House is currently working on a similar bill.
>>Proposed Rules on Motorized Bikes Heads to House Floor
(St. Paul, MN) — A bill that would regulate electric motorcycles and motorized bicycles is heading to the Minnesota House floor. Representative Tom Dippel of Cottage Grove says,”Currently there isn’t a good classification for an electric motorcycle.” He adds that this bill will help law enforcement investigate crashes because rules will be set for these vehicles. It would require registration with both the D-N-R for any electric bikes for operation as an off-highway motorcycle and the Department of Public Safety for operation on public roads.
>>April 21st Marks Tenth Anniversary of the Death of Prince
(Minneapolis, MN) — People in Minnesota and around the world are remembering Prince today (Tues) on the tenth anniversary of his death. Kevin Kurtt of Meet Minneapolis says Prince was an unofficial ambassador for the city and state. Kurtt says, “He never stopped saying how much he loved Minneapolis, how much he loved Minnesota. Makes it easy for us to tell the story of Prince’s Minneapolis is kind of how we term it.” Paisley Park is open to the public for free today for a Day 2 Reflect. Kurtt says a series of temporary sidewalk clings are up in downtown Minneapolis along the Purple Path, where you can learn about Prince’s connections to locations in the city.
>>Youth Cannabis Use in Minnesota Continues to Decline
(St. Paul, MN) — Youth cannabis use in Minnesota continues to decline, according to a new report from the Minnesota Department of Health. The survey shows 96 percent of students say they did not use cannabis in the past month. Health officials credit years of prevention work by local communities and schools. M-D-H Substance Use Prevention Supervisor Heidi Glesmann says those efforts matter—especially as kids are exposed to cannabis at younger ages. State health leaders say education and community outreach will remain key to keeping youth cannabis use trending down.
>>Klobuchar Introduces Bill to Protect Minnesota’s Hemp Industry from Federal Ban
(Washington, DC) — A bill introduced by U-S Senators Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Rand Paul of Kentucky would allow state and Tribal governments to regulate hemp-derived products. The Hemp Safety Enforcement Act would prevent a looming federal crackdown from shutting down a multi-billion-dollar industry. Klobuchar said, “I’ve heard loud and clear from brewers, farmers, and small businesses in Minnesota that a federal ban on hemp products will be devastating.” Minnesota has some of the strictest regulations in the country on hemp edibles and drinks.
>>Craig’s Bill to Expedite High-Speed Internet Projects on Federal Lands Passes House
(Washington, DC) — The U-S House passed a bipartisan bill from Minnesota Congresswoman Angie Craig aimed at expanding high-speed internet access. The legislation would speed up approval for broadband projects on federally managed land, a key barrier for rural and underserved communities. Minnesota alone has more than three million acres of federal land. The bill streamlines coordination between federal agencies to cut red tape and close the digital divide. Craig says faster internet access is essential for education, health care, and remote work.
>>Spring Bird Migration Raises Concerns About Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
(Buffalo, MN) — Spring migration is underway across Minnesota, and the return of wild birds is raising concerns about a heightened risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza. Minnesota Turkey Growers Association Executive Director Ashley Kohls says so far this spring, the state hasn’t seen any bird flu outbreaks. Kohls says, “If you look at the states surrounding Minnesota, they’ve all had either backyard or commercial cases, recently within the last couple of weeks, and multiple of them. And so just waiting for kind of the flight pathway of wild birds coming up through Minnesota, bringing something here.” Twenty-three commercial poultry flocks in Minnesota were confirmed with H-P-A-I in 2025.
>>Hoyt Lakes Man Going to Prison for Child Sexual Crimes
(Duluth, MN) — Prosecutors say 60-year-old Robert Hannu of Hoyt Lakes is sentenced to more than nine years in prison for sexual crimes involving a child. A St. Louis County judge sentenced Hannu to 109 months for third-degree criminal sexual conduct and 110 months for possessing child sexual abuse material. The sentences will run concurrently. Hannu pleaded guilty in February to multiple felony charges from two separate cases. County Attorney Kim Maki praised the survivor’s courage, saying,” the sentence reflects the seriousness of crimes against children and sends a clear message they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
>>Babbitt Woman Critically in Speed and Alcohol-Related Crash in St. Louis County
(Embarrass Township, MN) — Authorities in northeastern Minnesota say speed and alcohol are believed to be factors in a crash in Embarrass Township that left a woman in critical condition. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says a 72-year-old woman from Babbitt was driving an estimated 90 miles per hour Monday night when she lost control on Highway 21 and crashed into the ditch. Deputies say she was taken to a local hospital and later transferred to another hospital due to her critical condition.
>>Timberwolves Rally Past Nuggets for Game Two Playoff Victory
(Denver, CO) — The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Denver Nuggets 119-114 at Ball Arena Monday night to even the first-round playoff series 1-1. The Wolves rallied back from a 19-point deficit in the second quarter to steal one on the road. Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 30 points and ten rebounds; Julius Randle had 24 points, nine rebounds and six assists; and Donte DiVincenzo added 16. The series moves to Target Center for Game Three on Thursday night.
