>>Twins Score 7 Runs in the 7th, Win Home Opener
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Twins used a seven-run 7th inning to beat the Rays 10-4 in the home opener Friday at Target Field. Shortstop Tristan Gray hit his first career grand slam to lead Minnesota’s late rally. Josh Bell and Royce Lewis each drove in a pair of runs. Byron Buxton left the game after getting hit by a pitch in the forearm, but the X-rays came back negative. Starting pitcher Bailey Ober allowed three runs over four innings, and Kody Funderburk picked up the win in relief. The start of the game was delayed by one hour because of a power outage in downtown Minneapolis, and finished in rain. Twins right-hander Mick Abel is scheduled to start tonight against Tampa Bay.
>>Xcel Explains Target Field Power Outage
(Minneapolis) — Xcel Energy has issued an apology to the Minnesota Twins for the power outage that delayed the home opener. The power outage happened at 2 p.m. Friday, and it affected the ballpark and surrounding homes and businesses. Xcel says the outage was caused by an equipment failure along the main power line that services the stadium. The power was restored at 2:55 p.m. which delayed the original 3:10 p.m. start for the game.
>>Four Charged After Sex-Trafficking Sting in Rochester
(Rochester, MN) — Four men are facing felony charges following a sex-trafficking sting in Rochester. Investigators posted online ads offering sexual services in exchange for money. Court documents say an undercover officer posing as a teenage girl communicated with the men and told them she was under 18. Police say each suspect agreed to meet and exchange money before being taken into custody. Those charged are 44-year-old Brian Tachmann, 43-year-old Richard Mayweathers, and 63-year-old Dondi Hanson, all of Rochester, along with 27-year-old Arun Kumar Manimozhian of St. Paul. They’re charged with prostitution counts involving hiring or agreeing to hire a person reasonably believed to be a minor.
>>Man Arrested in Otter Tail County for Alleged Sexual Assault of Minor
(Fergus Falls, MN) — A 26-year-old man faces felony charges after being accused of sexually assaulting a minor in Otter Tail County. Authorities say Shea Hites, who is homeless, was arrested Tuesday after investigators learned of alleged sexual contact involving a 14-year-old. The abuse happened between March and August of 2024. Deputies were alerted after a school resource officer reported a student had asked about options related to an assault reported that took place a year earlier. Investigators say the victim later disclosed inappropriate contact involving Hites.
>>Two Arrested After Large Meth Bust in St. Louis County
(St. Louis County, MN) — Two men face first-degree drug charges following a major methamphetamine bust tied to a sales investigation. The Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force says investigators stopped a vehicle around 7 p.m. Tuesday along Highway 53 outside St. Louis County. During a search, officers found about 452 grams of meth, along with a digital scale and drug-packaging materials. The suspects, Jason Nordin and Nathan Starkey, were arrested. Investigators later served a second search warrant at Nordin’s Duluth home, where officers seized nine firearms, including four reported stolen, along with additional meth, psilocybin mushrooms, and more packaging materials.
>>BPD Search for Missing 42-Year-Old Man
(Brooklyn Park, MN) — Brooklyn Park police are searching for a missing 42-year-old man. Tony Curtis Jr. was last seen Friday near Maryland Avenue North. He’s described as Black, five feet eleven inches, 214 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Tony was last seen wearing a black jacket, khaki pants, a red t-shirt, brown shoes, and glasses.
>>Healthcare Concerns at Capitol
(St. Paul, MN) — With Minnesotans facing higher health insurance premiums and the threat of more hospitals and clinics closing, healthcare professionals are looking to the state capitol for help. Dr. Matt Hoffman from Allina Health says investments need to be made for primary care. He says, “We can make an investment in healthcare, but we can’t just leave it up to healthcare CEOs to determine where that money goes.” Hoffman was one of 600 doctors who just came to an agreement with Allina Health on their first union contract. Healthcare will be on the table when lawmakers return from break on Tuesday.
>>Easter Spending Breaks Records
(Undated) — Easter spending is expected to break sales records. Projections from the National Retail Federation show Easter spending is set to reach a record 24.9 billion dollars nationwide this year, despite economic uncertainty. Minnesotans are expected to spend around 195 dollars. Nearly 8 in 10 people plan to celebrate, driven by tradition. Candy tops the shopping list, followed closely by food, as families gather for meals, church, and egg hunts. Discount stores are the top stop- and even shoppers who aren’t celebrating Easter are still looking for deals.
>>Kick off to the Summer at the State Fair Returns
(Falcon Heights, MN) — A popular event is returning for the sixth year, “Kickoff to Summer at the Fair.” Minnesota State Fair spokeswoman Maria Hayden says this is a very different experience to enjoy the fairgrounds, favorite fair foods, and shopping with limited crowds. She says the event started after COVID in 2021, and from there, “we just realized that there is so much need and so many people who enjoy the fair in a more laid-back way.” “Kickoff to Summer at the Fair” runs May 21st-24th. Tickets are available through etix.com.
>>Good Weather for Open-River Fishing for Crappies, Bass
(Undated) — Open water fishing is accessible throughout most of the state, even with the quick cooldown this week. Glen Schmitt with Outdoor News says this is a good time of year for crappies in the weeds and shallow areas, one to five feet of water. He explains the muddy areas warm up and the bugs come to life. Schmitt says good locations to look include black bottom bays, channels, boat harbors, and culvert areas. Year-round bass fishing is also now available in Minnesota. He says he thinks plenty of people will snag the opportunity to catch the quick-bite fish. It’s catch-and-release now through Memorial Day weekend. Schmitt says the Mississippi River is a great spot for smallmouth bass.
>> Pete Buttigeig Speaking at Carleton College on April 28th
(Northfield, MN) – Former U-S Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigeig (BOOD-dih-didge) is coming to Carleton College in Northfield. Buttigieg will speak at the ‘Engaging Across Viewpoints’ lecture series on April 28th. The event is open to members of the Carleton campus community and requires pre-registration. Buttigieg is the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and many still call him “Mayor” Pete. He was also a Navy intelligence officer and deployed to Afghanistan.
