>>Huge Turnout for ‘Hands Off’ Rally at Minnesota State Capitol
(St. Paul, MN) — Organizers say an estimated 60 thousand people attended the ‘Hands Off’ rally Saturday at the State Capitol. Sam O’Connell of Women’s March Minnesota said President Trump and Elon Musk are going after immigrants, communities of color, veterans, the environment, the courts, voting rights, and health care. She led the protesters in a “Hands Off” chant. U-S Senator Amy Klobuchar told the crowd, “As we fight this administration in the courts and in Congress, we know we have our constituents by our side. You are breaking the phone lines in the U-S Senate. You are turning out at the town halls in droves.” The Republican Party said in a statement that the rally was organized by some of the most radical progressive groups in Minnesota and across the country.
>>Minnesota Senate Democrats Push for $1.35 Billion Bonding Bill
(St. Paul, MN) — Senate Democrats are seeking a $1.35 billion bonding bill this year and say now is the time to invest in Minnesota. Senator Ann Johnson Stewart of Wayzata says bonding bills are usually associated with roads, bridges and buildings, but we should look at them as investing in people. Stewart a says another session cannot go by without passing a bill to fund Minnesota’s future. The Minnesota House has agreed to a $700 million bonding bill.
>>House Bill Would Create Higher Ed Savings Plan for Minnesota Newborns
(St. Paul, MN) — A bill in the Minnesota House would create a higher education savings plan for every Minnesota kid born after June 2026. D-F-L Representative Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn of Eden Prairie says the legislature needs to continue looking forward to the future and how it can make a better educational path for all of Minnesota’s kids. Republican Kristin Robbins of Maple Grove says she isn’t sure creating a new grant program is a good idea. Under the bill, the Office of Higher Education would make an initial deposit of $50 into each new account, and an additional $50 for children from low-income households.
>>Tariffs Not to Blame for Spike in Gas Prices
(St. Louis Park, MN) — Fuel analysts say President Trump’s tariffs on imports are not to blame for a 20-cent jump in gas prices in the last week. Triple-A Minnesota’s Brynna (BRIN’-uh) Knapp says tariffs on crude and refined oil were excluded from the latest round. She says, “so, no tariffs on Canadian or Mexican petroleum and no tariffs on European gasoline cargoes that come into the U-S, but again it’s too early for us to comment on if they will impact gas prices directly.” Knapp says it’s typical to see a spike in gas prices in April as more people are driving and refineries switch from winter to summer-grade fuel.
>>Blue Plate Restaurant Co-Owner Burley Killed in Wisconsin Motorcycle Crash
(Hudson, WI) — All Blue Plate restaurants in the Twin Cities are closed today (Mon) following the death of co-owner David Burley in a motorcycle crash. The Wisconsin State Patrol says 58-year-old Burley of Minnetonka was riding on Interstate 94 near Hudson Sunday when a car struck a guard rail, veered back into the right lane and collided with his cycle. Burley was taken to Regions Hospital and later died of his injuries. The report says the other driver from Brooklyn Park, Minnesota was under the influence of alcohol. Blue Plate operates seven restaurants including The Freehouse, Longfellow Grill, Edina Grill, plus the Blue Barn at the State Fair.
>>Bloomington Woman Struck and Killed by Vehicle on I-494 near Fort Snelling
(Fort Snelling, MN) — A Bloomington woman is the victim in a deadly pedestrian crash on Interstate 494 near Fort Snelling. The Minnesota State Patrol says 66-year-old Cynthia Finnell ran across 494 on Saturday night and was hit by an S-U-V. Troopers say Finnell died at the scene. The Lakeville man driving the S-U-V wasn’t hurt. Investigators are still looking into the incident.
>>Brooklyn Park Couple Believes Cat May Have Survived Plane Crash, House Fire
(Brooklyn Park, MN) — The Brooklyn Park family who lost their home in a March 29th plane crash and fire now thinks their cat may have survived. Mary Butler initially thought that Callisto died but says there is reason to believe she may have escaped. Neighbors reported seeing a wild two-tone cat running through their yards and another neighbor put out food for Callisto. Butler’s husband got out of the burning home safely. She was out walking the dog at the time. U-S Bank executive Terry Dolan of Edina was the pilot killed in the crash.
>>Minor Injuries Reported in Semi vs. Train Crash near Sleepy Eye
(Sleepy Eye, MN) — A semi driver is recovering from minor injuries suffered in crash with a train Friday near Sleepy Eye. The Brown County Sheriff’s Office says the semi tractor-trailer driven by 24-year-old Robert Jewett of New Richland was attempting a turn off Highway 14 when it was struck by a Canadian Pacific Kansas City train. Jewett and two occupants of the train were treated for minor injuries at the scene. Deputies say the semi tractor and train were damaged and the grain trailer was totaled in the crash.
>>Minnesota Wild Earn 2 Points in Overtime Win vs. Dallas in St. Paul
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Wild earn two important points in the Wild Card race with a 3-2 overtime win vs. the Dallas Stars Sunday at “The X.” Marco Rossi scored the game-winning goal on the power play 58 seconds into O-T. Matt Boldy and Marcus Foligno had third-period goals for Minnesota, and Filip Gustavsson made 23 saves. The Wild lead the Flames by six points for the final Wild Card playoff spot in the Western Conference. The San Jose Sharks come to St. Paul on Wednesday night.
