>>Walz Orders Flags Lowered to Half-Staff on Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
(St. Paul, MN) — Flags are flying at half-staff in Minnesota today (Thurs) in honor and remembrance of those who died in the December 7th, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Twenty-six Minnesotans were killed when the Japanese torpedo bombed Hawaii. Governor Tim Walz says in his proclamation, “It is fitting and proper to remember the sacrifices of all who served in defense of our nation during World War II, especially those who paid the ultimate price and lost their lives in defense of the liberties that Americans enjoy.” The governor is also encouraging Minnesota homes, businesses, and organizations to lower their flags on Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
>>Minnesota Hospitals Want Piece of $2.4 Billion State Budget Surplus
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Hospital Association is calling on the legislature to use some of the projected two-point-four-billion-dollar budget surplus to address the patient care crisis. M-H-A says in a statement that Minnesota hospitals and health systems have faced nearly a half billion dollars in losses this year. Officials are urging lawmakers to make “generational” investments in hospitals, mental health care, long-term care , care for low-income Minnesotans, in health equity and in the uncertain future of the health care workforce. They note the legislature made historic investments in many public institutions including education last session and say now is the time for a similar investment in the health of Minnesotans.
>>Klobuchar Questions FBI Director on Spike in Hate Crimes
(Washington, DC) — Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar is questioning the F-B-I’s efforts to combat hate crimes in response to a 60-percent increase since the Israel-Hamas conflict began. Klobuchar told Director Christopher Wray during a hearing Wednesday that hate crimes are concerning for everyone, “Democrat, Republican, Jewish, Muslim, Christian, anyone in this country.” She asked for more more details on the what the F-B-I is doing and what the Justice Department are doing to detect, deter and investigate these crimes. Wray says hate crimes have been elevated to a national threat priority which brings more investigative resources, and that they’re trying to engage in outreach to the communities because incidents are chronically underreported.
>>BCA Investigates “Swatting” Calls Across Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension reported multiple “swatting” calls Thursday involving emailed bomb and shooting threats made to schools and Jewish facilities. Local law enforcement agencies responded, but none were determined to be legitimate. At least 25 schools and nine jewish facilities in Minnesota reported receiving the messages. The language in each threat was almost identical. The B-C-A’S Fusion Center tracked the reports and kept local law enforcement apprised. Other states were not reporting similar widespread “swatting” attempts. “Swatting” is designed to prompt a large police response.
>>Alexandria Police Continue Investigation Into Fatal Stabbing
(Alexandria, MN) — Police in Alexandria continue to look for a suspect in a fatal stabbing last month. Fifty-eight-year-old Desiree Frederick was found stabbed to death in the home she shared with a family member November 24th. Officers have sent multiple items of evidence to the B-C-A lab and have served several search warrants, as well as scrubbed through hundreds of hours of recorded data. Anyone with information about Frederick’s death is asked to call 9-1-1.
>>Minnesota Educators Awarded Grants to Support Ag Literacy in Classrooms
(St. Paul, MN) — Thirteen state educators looking to provide more agricultural experience for students will receive grant funding from Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC). Each teacher will be awarded an Agricultural Literacy Grant, worth up to $500, and designed to fund projects that support agriculture and food systems education from kindergarten to high school. Topics that will be explored through this year’s projects include agricultural careers, aquaponics, and the farm-to-fork process.
>>Salvation Army Reports Lack of Red Kettle Donations
(Roseville, MN) — Officials say Red Kettle donations are down heading into the final weeks of the Salvation Army’s annual campaign. Spokesman Dan Furry says we all thought when we came out of the pandemic that things would kind of go back to normal, but that was immediately followed by higher costs for food, rent, utilities, and gas. Furry says when you have increased costs donations tend to dip and it’s very difficult to absorb that so they have more and more people coming to the Salvation Army for that reason. Furry says they are greatly in need of bell ringers at their kettles.
>>Dobbs Named Starting Quarterback for Vikings at Raiders
(Eagan, MN) — Head coach Kevin O’Connell says Josh Dobbs will be the starting quarterback when the Minnesota Vikings play the Raiders Sunday in Las Vegas. Dobbs threw four interceptions in Minnesota’s 12-10 loss to the Bears which led to speculation he might lose the starting job. He has a 2-and-2 record as the Vikings starter after signing with the team on October 31st. Dobbs will have All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson as a target for the first time on Sunday. Nick Mullens will be the back-up Q-B.
