>>OIG Bill Finally Headed to Minnesota House Floor
(St. Paul, MN) — A bill establishing the Office of the Inspector General is finally heading to the Minnesota House floor for a vote. The O-I-G bill passed its final committee hearing last night in Ways and Means. The new version of the bill does include compromises and changes. It includes fully funding the office right from the start and postponing the law enforcement portion until 2028 while coordinating with the B-C-A for investigations in the meantime. The full House will now take up the bill. It passed the Senate last year 60-7.
>>Governor Walz Signs Dairy Assistance Bill
(St. Paul, MN) — A bill signed by Governor Tim Walz will provide assistance to more Minnesota dairy farmers. The legislation commonly known as the “Dairy Bill with an I” is called the Dairy Assistance, Investment, Relief Initiative. The measure provides funding so more dairy farmers can apply for federal money. The funding will go to farmers who are either new or were not eligible a few years ago when the program was available. Dairy farmers hoping to apply can do so on the Minnesota Department of Agriculture website.
>>AI Nudification Ban Passes Senate
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Senate passed a first-in-the-nation bill to ban access to A-I Nudification technology in order to protect Minnesotans from image-based sexual abuse. Senator Erin Maye Quade of Apple Valley introduced the bill last year after meeting a group of 80 women who were victimized by one man who created deepfake pornographic photos of them. The bill requires tech companies to turn off this technology. The bill passed the Senate 65-0 and is heading to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.
>>Hann Suspends Campaign for Republican US Senate Nomination
(Eden Prairie, MN) — Former state Republican Party chair David Hann is suspending his campaign for the U-S Senate nomination. Hann issued a statement calling on Minnesotans to vote for common sense, conservative leadership in the November election. The former Minnesota Senate minority leader from Eden Prairie is not endorsing another candidate in the G-O-P Senate race. The national Senate Republican campaign arm is throwing its support behind former sports reporter Michele Tafoya. Other Republican candidates include Royce White, Adam Schwarze, and Mark York.
>>Big Money Spent on Reversing Mining Ban near BWCA
(Undated) — The end of a 20-year mining moratorium in the Superior National Forest follows a months-long fight in Washington between environmental groups, tribal leaders, and pro-mining interests. Momentum shifted this year after a strong lobbying push and a change in strategy by congressional Republicans. According to the Star Tribune, records show Twin Metals Minnesota paid $380,000 to the Bernhardt Group, led by former Interior Secretary David Bernhardt. That’s about double what opposition group Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness, which leads Ely-bases Save the Boundary Waters, spent on lobbying over the past year.
>>Minnesota Supreme Court Upholds Conviction in Murder of Winona Mother Kingsbury
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Supreme Court is upholding the murder conviction of the man who killed Madeline Kingsbury of Winona in 2023. Thirty-two-year-old Adam Fravel was found guilty of first-degree murder and other charges in the fall of 2024 and later sentenced to life in prison without parole. The state’s high court rejected Fravel’s appeal, ruling there was enough evidence to support his conviction and that it was a fair trial. Kingsbury disappeared in March 2023 after dropping she and Fravel’s kids off at daycare and her body was found in June.
>>Federal Charges After Journalist Attacked at Minnesota Protest
(Minneapolis, MN) — Three people are facing federal charges for allegedly assaulting a journalist during an anti-ICE protest in Minnesota. The U-S Department of Justice says Christopher, Deyanna, and Paige Ostroushko were indicted in connection to the April 11th incident outside the Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis. Prosecutors say the group targeted conservative journalist Savanah Hernandez from Turning Point U-S-A, surrounding her, shoving her, and attempting to intimidate her while she was reporting. Hernandez captured the incident on video.
>>Moorhead Business Owner Charged with Tax Crimes and SNAP Fraud
(Moorhead, MN) — A Moorhead business owner is facing multiple felony charges after authorities say she underreported income and improperly collected public assistance. Prosecutors allege 44-year-old Christine Conrad, owner of Reese & Riley’s Olive Oil & Bistro Bar, filed fraudulent tax returns from 2019 to 2024 while reporting relatively low income. Investigators say her spending didn’t match, pointing to a high mortgage and major purchases. She’s also accused of improperly receiving SNAP benefits. Officials say Conrad owes roughly 55-thousand dollars in sales tax, 123 thousand in income tax, and received more than 51-thousand dollars in benefits she didn’t qualify for.
>>Cold Weather Rule Ends Today
(Minneapolis, MN) — Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule expires today, ending seasonal protections that help keep heat and electricity on for thousands of residents during the winter months. Starting tomorrow(Fri), utilities can once again disconnect service for unpaid bills. Customers who are behind on payments should contact their utility provider right away, noting payment plans and energy assistance options are available. Officials say acting early can help avoid shutoffs as the automatic protections are lifted.
>>Wild and Wolves Hosting Game 6 Playoff Elimination Games
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Wild and Timberwolves both have a chance to clinch their first-round playoff series tonight (Thurs) at home. The Wild took a 3-2 series lead over the Stars with a 4-2 win Tuesday night in Dallas. The Game 6 face-off is at 6:30 this evening at Grand Casino Arena. The Wolves lost at Denver 125-113 Monday night but still lead the series three games-to-two. Tonight’s game tips off at 8:30 at Target Center.
