>>Senator Gustavson Calls on House to Pass Office of Inspector General Bill
(St. Paul, MN) — Legislation creating a state Office of Inspector General will likely be considered by Minnesota lawmakers early in the next session. D-F-L Senator Heather Gustafson of Vadnais Heights says the Senate approved the most significant anti-fraud bill in state history last year while the House did not. She notes it’s a biennium and the bill is still alive in the House. Gustavson say she’s confident it’ll have the votes to pass and expects the governor to sign it. She says Minnesotans want an independent Office of Inspector General to provide permanent oversight regardless of who is in the governor’s office.
>>Morrison Introduces Veterans Sexual Assault Bill
(Washington, DC) — Statistics show that one in three female veterans and one in 50 male veterans have experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment. Congresswoman Kelly Morrison wants to combat that by introducing the V-A Safe Care Act. The bill would equip V-A medical facilities with the appropriate tools to support and care for veterans that have experienced sexual assault. It would also include making sure facilities have a supply of rape kits, improve mental health and law enforcement referrals, and improve training for clinical providers and V-A police. Representative Morrison is a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
>>Anoka-Hennepin Educators File Intent to Strike
(Anoka, MN) — The union representing three thousand educators in the Anoka-Hennepin School District has filed an official intent to strike. Anoka Hennepin Education Minnesota says the move follows an overwhelming strike authorization vote amid stalled contract talks. Under state law, the union must wait 10 days before initiating a strike, making January 8th the earliest possible date if no agreement is reached. Teachers say they want to avoid a walkout and remain willing to negotiate. Key issues include rising health insurance costs and pay increases that keep pace with inflation.
>>Man Sentenced to 18 Years for Killing Former Girlfriend in Owatonna
(Owatonna, MN) — A man accused of killing his former girlfriend in Owatonna two years ago will spend up to 18 years in prison. A Steele County judge sentenced Jason Lee Horner Monday for shooting Sabrina Schnoor under a highway overpass in May 2023 and fleeing the scene. A jury convicted Horner last month of second-degree murder and unlawful possession of a firearm. The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office prosecuted the case.
>>Nowthen Barricade Suspect Charged in Anoka County
(Nowthen, MN) — Authorities are identifying the man arrested after a barricade situation in Nowthen last week as 39-year-old Clinten Michael Larson of Anoka. The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office says Larson is charged with first-degree arson, second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, third-degree arson, threats of violence, and first-degree property damage. Deputies say he barricaded himself inside a home during the incident, but no injuries were reported. The case remains under investigation.
>>Relics from Edmund Fitzgerald Sell at Auction for $150K
(Detroit, MI) — Relics from the S-S Edmund Fitzgerald sold at auction in Detroit for 150 thousand dollars. The orange life ring with S-S Edmund Fitzgerald in white stenciled lettering was found a week after the freighter sank in Lake Superior in November of 1975. The other item auctioned off is a wooden plank from one of the ship’s lifeboats. The relics were loaned to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum in Michigan in 1988. A record two thousand people attended a ceremony at Split Rock Lighthouse last month marking the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
>>Snow Leopard Joins the Wildcat Sanctuary
(Sandstone, MN) — A 13-year-old snow leopard named Raj has begun a new chapter at The Wildcat Sanctuary, becoming the first of his species to call the sanctuary home. Raj retired from an accredited zoo and was placed at the sanctuary to receive specialized care as he ages. Raj’s arrival means the sanctuary now cares for all five Panthera species—lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards, and snow leopards. Donations to support his lifelong care are being matched through December 31st at wildcatsanctuary.org.
>>Minnesota Wild Host Nashville Predators Before Holiday Break
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Wild play the Nashville Predators at Grand Casino Arena tonight (Tues 7pm) before getting a few days off for the holidays. The Wild had their seven-game win streak snapped with a 5-1 loss to Colorado Sunday in St. Paul. Minnesota topped Nashville 3-2 in overtime last month. The Preds are coming off back-to-back wins over the Maple Leafs and Rangers. The Wild’s next game is Saturday in Winnipeg.
