>>Court Hearing Continues in Legal Challenge of House District 54 A Election Results
(Shakopee, MN) — A court hearing continues today (Tues) in Shakopee that could decide the balance of power in the Minnesota House. Republicans filed a lawsuit challenging the results of the election in House District 54-A which gave D-F-L Representative Brad Tabke a 14-vote lead over G-O-P challenger Aaron Paul. An attorney for Paul argued Monday that there should be a new election because 21 absentee ballots were unaccounted for and likely thrown out. Tabke’s lawyer countered that a special election would nullify the nearly 22-thousand votes that were counted. Attorneys for both sides hope to wrap up the case this afternoon. The Minnesota House is currently tied with 67 Democrats and 67 Republicans.
>>Bald Eagle Step Closer to Becoming National Bird
(Washington, DC) — It’s long been a symbol of our country, and now the bald eagle may soon be the official National Bird of the United States. U-S Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith along with Representatives Brad Finstad and Angie Craig announced their bipartisan legislation passed the House and Senate. It will now head to the president’s desk to be signed into law. Senator Smith said, “The Bald Eagle has been a universally recognizable symbol of patriotism in this country for centuries and they thrive in Minnesota because of our lakes and forestry.” The bald eagle has been a national symbol in this country since 1782.
>>Rep. Craig Recommended for Ranking Member on House Ag Committee
(Washington, DC) — Minnesota Congresswoman Angie Craig has the recommendation to serve as the Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee. The recommendation was made Monday by the House Steering and Policy Committee. The Democratic caucus is scheduled to vote on committee leadership later this morning (Tues).
>>Fravel Sentencing Tuesday for Killing of Madeline Kingsbury of Winona
(Winona, MN) — The man convicted of first- and second-degree murder in the killing of Madeline Kingsbury will be sentenced today (Tues 1:45pm) in Winona County. Adam Fravel is expected to receive a life prison sentence for the 2023 death of his ex-girlfriend and mother of his children. A judge granted a request from Kingsbury’s family to allow cameras in the courtroom for the sentencing and victim impact statements. Twenty-six-year-old Kingsbury disappeared on March 31st, 2023, and her body was recovered June 7th off Highway 43 near Mabel.
>>Judge to Allow Chauvin’s Defense to Test George Floyd’s Heart Tissue
(Minneapolis, MN) — A federal judge rules lawyers for Derek Chauvin can test preserved samples of George Floyd’s heart in the latest appeal of Chauvin’s conviction. The ex-Minneapolis police officer is simultaneously serving a 21-year federal sentence for violating Floyd’s civil rights and a 22-and-a-half year state sentence for second-degree murder. The granted motion allows Chauvin’s attorneys to inspect the evidence as part of a claim that a heart condition, and not Chauvin’s knee on Floyd’s neck, killed Floyd during a May 2020 police encounter. They can also take fluids from the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office for testing. Floyd died on May 25th, 2020 after Chauvin used his knee to pin Floyd’s neck to the ground for nine-and-a-half minutes.
>>Moorhead Police Search for 30-Day Missing Teen
(Moorhead, MN) — Police in Moorhead ask for the public’s help finding a missing teen. Officers say 17-year-old Melissa Barrett was last seen 30 days ago in West Fargo, North Dakota. Barrett is described as Native American, 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighs around 100 pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a blue shirt and black pants.
>>Snowfall Expected in Minnesota Late Tuesday and More on Thursday
(Chanhassen, MN) — The southern half of Minnesota could get one to three inches of snow later today (Tues) and even more accumulation is expected in parts of the state Thursday. National Weather Service Meteorologist Tyler Hasenstein says a system moving from the northwest to the southeast will give us a good shot at seeing three inches or more along and north of I-94 from central Minnesota to western Wisconsin. He says the southern part of the state will likely get another inch or two Thursday. Hasenstein says the snow should stick around when temps cool this weekend, but a warm-up is in the forecast early next week.
>>Deadline Approaching for $1 Million Winner in Minnesota Millionaire Raffle
(Roseville, MN) — Time and luck are running out for a Minnesota Millionaire Raffle ticket holder. With only two weeks to go before the end of the year, one of the two tickets worth $1 million in the annual raffle game has still not come forward to claim their prize. The ticket was purchased at Coborn’s in Delano for the drawing on January 1st, 2024. Winners have one year to claim their prize. Tickets for this year’s Minnesota Millionaire raffle drawing are sold out. The winners will be announced on New Year’s Day.
>>12-and-2 Minnesota Vikings Beat Chicago Bears for 7th Straight Win
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Vikings are 12-and-2 after a 30-12 win over the Chicago Bears on Monday night at U-S Bank Stadium. Sam Darnold threw for 231 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Minnesota’s seventh straight victory. Justin Jefferson caught seven balls for 73 yards and a T-D and running backs Aaron Jones and Cam Akers both scored. The Purple are tied with the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles for the best record in the N-F-C. Minnesota plays at 8-and-6 Seattle on Sunday.
