>>House Hearing Continues Tuesday on Historic Horse Racing Machines at Tracks
(St. Paul, MN) — The House Commerce Committee will continue its hearing today (Tues 3pm) on a bill that would override the Minnesota Racing Commission’s recent decision to allow what are called “historic horse racing (HHR)” machines at the state’s two horse tracks. Representative Zack Stephenson from Coon Rapids says, “the staff review — and these are civil servants, not political appointees — concluded that historic horse racing slot machines are slot machines, that they are not pari-mutuel, and that they are unlawful gambling devices under Minnesota law.” Running Aces C-F-O Tracie Wilson says H-H-R machines are *not* slots because there’s no random-number generator. Wilson says Stephenson’s bill would devastate Minnesota’s horse racing industry by taking aim at advanced-deposit wagering, card playing and pari-mutuel betting.
>>Senate Passes Bill Naming Highway 169 Bridge in Honor of Fallen MnDOT Worker
(Plymouth, MN) — A bill passed by the Minnesota Senate on Monday would name a new bridge on Highway 169 in honor of a MnDOT worker killed in Plymouth. Fifty-four-year-old Michael Gau of Belle Plaine was fatally struck by a dump truck while the bridge was under construction last summer. The span over Highway 169 at Rockford Road would be called the Michael Gau Memorial Bridge. Gau worked 14 years for MnDOT and served with the Belle Plaine Fire Department for 23 years. The bill was sent to the governor’s desk.
>>Miu Expected to Testify Tuesday in Deadly Apple River Stabbing Trial
(Hudson, WI) — The Minnesota man charged in a deadly stabbing on the Apple River is expected to take the stand today (Tues) in his trial in St. Croix County, Wisconsin. Fifty-four-year-old Nicolae Miu of Prior Lake pleaded not guilty to the first-degree intentional homicide of 17-year-old Isaac Schuman of Stillwater and attempted homicide for wounding four others on July 30th, 2022. Miu’s attorneys claim he feared for his life when attacked by a mob of tubers and stabbed Schuman and the others in self-defense. The prosecution is scheduled to call its final witnesses this morning.
>>Minnesota Veteran Completes Mission to Walk to Texas to View Eclipse
(Undated) — A Marine veteran has completed his mission to walk from Minnesota to Texas to view the total solar eclipse. Daniel Crawford began his walk on February 3rd in Austin, calling it a one-thousand-mile gratitude walk. Crawford said he turned to alcohol after leaving active duty in 1995 and struggled with drinking until 2022 when he discovered the Duluth-based nonprofit 23rd Veteran. He says his walk through six states spread a message of hope to those he met while raising money for the organization that helped him become sober.
>>Duluth Fire Department Welcomes Minnesota’s First Arson Detection Dog
(Duluth, MN) — The Duluth Fire Department is welcoming Minnesota’s first arson detection dog, a two-year-old Labrador retriever named Jack. He’s already started working at fire scenes in the city and is trained to detect accelerants, which are liquids that help a deliberately set fire burn more quickly. The dog’s handlers are confident that Jack’s abilities will aid in solving more arson cases in the Duluth area. Jack was certified by the Maine State Police.
>>Cattle Producers in Minnesota Concerned About Avian Influenza
(Badger, MN) — A cow-calf producer in northern Minnesota is concerned about the potential threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza. Shayne Isane (ISS’-nee) of Badger says infections in goats, dairy cattle, and humans are alarming. Isane(ISS-nee) says there aren’t many precautions he can take, and he will monitor and pay extra attention to it. Avian flu has been detected on dairy farms in several states, and Minnesota had a case of the disease in young goats late last month.
>>Minnesota DNR Warns Boaters About Low Water in Lakes, Rivers
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota D-N-R is warning to boaters about the potential for low water levels in the state’s lakes and rivers. Drought conditions are affecting approximately 40 percent of the state, leading to difficulties in launching boats in some areas. Conservation officers say boaters need to exercise caution and watch for hazards like shallow rocks and trees. The D-N-R is currently working on repairing boat ramps that were damaged during the winter and will extend them where possible.
