>>Republicans Blame Walz, DFL for Autism Center Fraud
(St. Paul, MN) — Republicans are blaming the governor and Democrats for the F-B-I investigation into fraud at least two Minnesota autism centers. G-O-P Senator Mark Koran of North Branch said in a statement, “Governor Walz and Democratic leaders have failed to hold agencies accountable in any meaningful way – only attempting to address the situation when it is politically expedient for them.” House Republican Leader Lisa Demuth said, “the Walz Administration’s refusal to act means that hundreds of millions of dollars continue to be stolen with no chance of recovery.” The F-B-I raided autism centers in Minneapolis and St. Cloud. Senate Health and Human Services Chair John Hoffman of Champlin says, “stealing from our most vulnerable is inexcusable and illegal, and the people who committed this fraud must be punished to the fullest extent of the law.”
>>State Regulators Grant Permit for Carbon Capture Pipeline
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission is granting a permit for a carbon capture pipeline in Otter Tail and Wilkin counties. The P-U-C voted unanimously Thursday to grant the permit to Summit Carbon Solutions, allowing the company to build a portion of a planned 25-hundred-mile pipeline network across five states. The Minnesota segment would run 28 miles from an ethanol plant in Fergus Falls to the North Dakota border. It would consist of 4.5-inch diameter pipe sunk 54 inches underground. The company estimates construction could start as early as 2026, but construction can’t start until the project moves ahead in North Dakota.
>>DNR Disappointed by First CWD Case near Minnesota-South Dakota Border
(Forest Lake, MN) — D-N-R officials are disappointed that a deer tested positive for chronic wasting disease for the first time near the Minnesota-South Dakota border. Wildlife health supervisor Erik Hildebrand says the deer was taken near Wheaton in Traverse County. He says, “it’s always a surprise when we get a new area and it’s very unfortunate. This is not good news by any means.” Hildebrand says they’re trying to determine where the deer came from and don’t have solid C-W-D surveillance data for that part of the state. Most of the state’s C-W-D cases have been in southeastern Minnesota.
>>Winona Judge to Allow Cameras in Courtroom for Adam Fravel Sentencing
(Winona, MN) — There will be cameras in the courtroom for the sentencing of Adam Fravel Tuesday in Winona County. A judge granted a request from the family of Madeline Kingsbury to allow media coverage. Fravel was convicted of first- and second-degree murder in the death of 26-year-old Kingsbury last month. He was Kingsbury’s ex-boyfriend and father of her children. Kingsbury’s family wants the public to see the victim impact statements. Fravel is expected to receive a life prison sentence.
>>Burnsville Man Indicted for 1st Degree Murder in Mom’s Stabbing
(Hastings, MN) — A Burnsville man now faces first- and second-degree murder charges in the June 2022 stabbing of his mother. Dakota County prosecutors say 57-year-old Troy Mitteness was indicted by a grand jury Thursday in the killing of 82-year-old Sandra Mitteness. Troy Mitteness told police that he stabbed his mom because he spent all her money and she was becoming suspicious. The criminal complaint says Mitteness dismembered her body and discarded her parts from a moving vehicle into the road ditches between Burnsville and Appleton. His next court hearing hasn’t been scheduled.
>>Funeral Friday for Delano Student Killed in Motorcycle Crash
(Delano, MN ) — Family, friends and classmates will say farewell today (Fri) to Delano High School senior Kurtis Wasik. The 17-year-old died in a Wright County motorcycle crash last Sunday. The funeral for Wasik is at 11 o’clock this morning in the Light of Christ Church in Delano. There was a visitation last night. The Delano/Rockford girls high school hockey team dedicated their game Tuesday night to Wasik’s memory.
>>Holiday Train to Roll Through Central and Western Minnesota
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train continues its annual trek through Minnesota this weekend. The train stopped Thursday in Golden Valley, St. Louis Park, and Minneapolis. It will visit Loretto, Buffalo, Annandale, and Kimball on Saturday. Stops Sunday include Glenwood, Alexandria, Detroit Lakes, Mahnomen, Plummer, and Thief River Falls. The Holiday Train is decked out in Christmas lights and features a pop-up musical concert. The public is encouraged to donate a non-perishable food item for local banks or make a cash donation.
>>Minnesota Timberwolves Back at Target Center to Face Lakers
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Timberwolves return to Target Center tonight (Fri 7pm) to face the Los Angeles Lakers. The Wolves have not played a game since Sunday’s loss at Golden State. Lakers superstar LeBron James has been ruled out with a foot injury. Minnesota is tied for ninth place in the Western Conference with a 12-and-11 record.
