>>5 of 8 Minnesota US Reps Vote for National Defense Authorization Act
(Washington, DC) — Five of Minnesota’s eight members of the U-S House are supporting the $895 billion National Defense Authorization Act. Most Democrats voted against the military spending bill Wednesday because it includes a ban against gender-affirming care for some transgender children of service members. Democratic Congressman Dean Phillips joined Republican Representatives Tom Emmer, Brad Finstad, Michelle Fischbach and Pete Stauber in voting “yes.” D-F-L Representatives Ilhan Omar, Betty McCollum and Angie Craig were “no” votes. Sixteen G-O-P members in the U-S House voted against the bill that also increases pay for members of the military. The measure now heads to the U-S Senate.
>>Cannabis Applicants File Petition Asking Court of Appeals to Lift Stay on License Lottery
(Minneapolis, MN) — A group of cannabis social equity applicants is asking the Minnesota Court of Appeals to lift the stay that put the preapproval license lottery on hold. Spokesperson Leili Fatehi argues the Office of Cannabis Management cannot abandon the process. She says, “we think that statute the way it’s written requires that O-C-M once it made the decision to do preapproval that it follows through and actually do the lottery. And I anticipate that we will continue to see this decision from O-C-M challenged.” Applicants with preapproval were expected to begin early cultivation to ensure there is product when the cannabis retail market opens.
>>Attorney General Ellison to Announce Major Gun Industry Litigation
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison will announce significant litigation against a major corporation in the firearms industry this morning (Thurs). Members of law enforcement will join A-G Ellison to discuss the public safety implications of the state’s lawsuit. Minnesotans who have been personally affected by the illegal conduct alleged in Minnesota’s lawsuit are also expected to speak.
>>Minneapolis Mayor Frey Vetoes 2025 City Budget, Approves 6.8% Levy
(Minneapolis, MN) — The 2025 Minneapolis budget could need a work-up after Mayor Jacob Frey vetoed the proposal Wednesday. The City Council approved the budget Tuesday, passing a record 71 amendments out of 74. Frey approved bringing the originally proposed tax levy of 8.3% down to 6.8%. The council will vote to rework the budget or override Frey’s veto today. President Elliot Payne wants to bypass the veto, saying, “The fact that the mayor is willing to risk the jobs of over 4,000 city employees and reduce basic city services to try to score some political points is absolutely disheartening.”
>>MN Congressman Calls for Resignation of MSU Mankato Professor
(Mankato, MN) — A Republican congressman is calling for the resignation of a professor at Minnesota State University Mankato over a social media post. Representative Brad Finstad sent a letter urging M-S-U officials to demand the resignation of Professor Kevin Parsneau. Parsneau allegedly responded on Facebook to a question regarding the suspected killer of UnitedHealthcare C-E-O Brian Thompson, stating that he would be disappointed if the suspect was not a “serial killer.” In response, the university’s president issued a statement condemning messages that promote violence and calling for a campus-wide discussion on the limits and responsibilities of free speech.
>>Pickup Breaks Through Ice on River in Cloquet, Driver Arrested for DWI
(Cloquet, MN) — Authorities in Carlton County say a man from Michigan is facing D-W-I charges after his pickup broke through the ice on St. Louis River. The Cloquet Area Fire District says first responders found the vehicle submerged late Monday night and the driver in the pickup bed. Officers used an inflatable boat to rescue him, and he was evaluated by paramedics at the scene. The 35-year-old man from Ironwood, Michigan was arrested after a D-W-I investigation.
>>Albert Lea Man Sentenced to 25 Years for 2-Year-Old’s Death
(Albert Lea, MN ) — An Albert Lea man will spend the next 25 years in prison for the death of a two-year-old boy. Prosecutors say 26-year-old Austin Navarro pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and third-degree assault charges in September. Navarro was arrested last July during a traffic stop after leaving a home where a child was left unconscious. The toddler’s mother says Navarro texted her a picture of the child bloody and bruised, saying he fell down the stairs. The boy’s cause of death was homicide by multiple blunt force injuries.
>>Former Rothsay City Clerk Charged with Theft of $48K From City
(Breckenridge, MN) — A former Rothsay city clerk faces 10 counts of felony theft for allegedly stealing over $48,000 from her employer. Thirty-seven-year-old Lisa Zimmerman is accused of taking utility payments and not depositing the full cash amounts into city accounts. Officials reported the theft in February 2023 after utility deposits started to drop during Zimmerman’s employment from September 2019 to September 2022. The charges say she stole money from 181 deposits, checks from the general fund, and money raised during a fundraiser for a local resident fighting cancer.
>>$1K Grants Available for International Hiring Assistance in Southern Minnesota
(Mankato, MN) — The state Department of Employment and Economic Development says $1,000 grants are available to southern Minnesota businesses to help the workforce shortage. Through the Global Workforce Program, grantees get legal expertise and human resources to gain employees, leveraged from a pool of roughly 3,000 international students in the area and skilled workers worldwide. The grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis through June 2025 at GreenSeam’s website www.greenseam.org/globalworkforce).
>>Minnesota Wild to Host Toy Drives at Home Games
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Wild will be hosting toy drives at two upcoming games at the Xcel Energy Center. The Wild are looking for donations of new, unwrapped toys, games and cash at this Saturday’s game against Philadelphia, and Friday December 20th against the Utah Hockey Club. The toys will be given to the Salvation Army, who will then distribute all collected gifts to families in the Twin Cities.
>>Minnesota Vikings QB Darnold Named NFC Offensive Player of the Week
(Eagan, MN) — Minnesota Vikings Quarterback Sam Darnold is being honored as the N-F-C’s Offensive Player of the Week. Darnold had a career-best 347 passing yards and five touchdowns in Sunday’s 42-21 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Jordan Addison had three T-Ds and Justin Jefferson scored twice. The Vikings have won six straight games and host the Chicago Bears Monday night at U-S Bank Stadium.
