>>Minnesotans Rip Trump for Calling Somalis and Omar ‘Garbage’
(Washington, DC) — Minnesota politicians are blasting President Trump for his continued attacks on the state’s Somali community. During a cabinet meeting Tuesday, Trump called Somali Americans, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, and her friends “garbage.” The president also said he doesn’t want Somalis in our country. Omar said in a social media response, “His obsession with me is creepy. I hope he gets the help he desperately needs.” Attorney General Keith Ellison said, “Donald Trump’s disgraceful attacks on Minnesota’s Somali community are injecting more of his poisonous racism into our beloved home state.” U-S Senator Tina Smith says the people Trump is calling ‘garbage’ are hardworking patriotic American taxpayers who came to this country legally.
>>Trump Administration Could Withhold SNAP Benefits Over Immigration Data
(Washington, DC) — The Trump administration is threatening to withhold SNAP food benefits from most Democratic-led states, including Minnesota. Several blue states have refused to give the feds personal data that includes the names, social security numbers, and immigration status of food stamp recipients. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says 29 Republican-led states have complied, but 21 have refused access. Rollins claims her department wants the data to root out fraud. Congresswoman Angie Craig accuses Secretary Rollins of, “weaponizing hunger by putting political talking points ahead of feeding seniors, children, veterans and Americans with disabilities.”
>>New Parents Can Apply Wednesday for Minnesota’s Paid Leave Program
(Minneapolis, MN) — State officials are preparing to launch Minnesota’s new Paid Leave program. Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Commissioner Matt Varilek says they begin accepting early applications today (Wed). He says, “Any eligible Minnesota parent who welcomed a child in 2025 will be able to apply for leave to be used in 2026.” Varilek says parents have one year to use the 12 weeks of leave after the birth or adoption of a child. All other eligible Minnesotans can begin applying January 1st for paid leave in 2026. Varilek says they’ve been running beta tests more than a month and identified a few refinements to make.
>>DFL Lawmakers Hosting Rural Healthcare Meetings
(St. Paul, MN) — Democratic members of the Minnesota House Health Committee will begin hosting listening sessions focused on rural healthcare affordability this week. The first session is Thursday night in Red Wing. The House members want to hear the concerns of rural Minnesotans about the costs of healthcare and the potential closings of rural clinics and how it will impact them. These listening sessions will be held through the end of the year.
>>Chauvin Seeks to Overturn Murder Conviction in George Floyd Case
(Minneapolis, MN) — Ex-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is asking a court to overturn his second-degree murder conviction in the death of George Floyd. Chauvin filed a new petition for post-conviction relief in Hennepin County District Court. In the filing, Chauvin argues his conviction should be vacated, requesting either a new trial or an evidentiary hearing. He claims the original case included faulty testimony regarding Floyd’s death. Chauvin was convicted in 2021 and is serving a 22-and-a-half-year sentence. The whole world watched him kneel on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes on Memorial Day 2020.
>>Minnesota BCA Identifies Suspect Shot by Police in Plymouth
(Plymouth, MN) — The Minnesota B-C-A is releasing more information about the police shooting of an armed suspect last Tuesday in Plymouth. Investigators say 44-year-old Atanas Hristev of Champlin was shot by Plymouth Officer Jacob Coopet following a domestic disturbance call. The report says Hristev pointed a handgun at Officer Coopet and he fired back, striking Hristev. He was taken to a hospital and remains in stable condition. A squad car camera recorded video of the incident.
>>Stevens County Woman Convicted of Felony Child Endangerment
(Morris, MN) — A Stevens County woman is pleading guilty to felony child endangerment after an infant suffered a severe brain injury in her care. Officials say Crystal Searle waited 45 minutes to seek help when a two-month-old infant needed emergency care in March 2022. The child was later rushed to the hospital with a subdural hematoma and underwent brain surgery but survived after weeks in intensive care. Attorney General Keith Ellison says Searle’s failure to act was “every parent’s worst nightmare.” The conviction followed a referral from the Stevens County Attorney’s Office.
>>17-Year-Old Boy Hurt in Fall from Fergus Falls Bridge
(Fergus Falls, MN) — A 17-year-old boy is recovering from injuries suffered in a fall from a bridge in Fergus Falls. Police and firefighters located the teen Tuesday morning on the shoreline of the Otter Tail River. Officers say the boy was experiencing cold weather exposure and was injured in the fall from Veterans Bridge. He was taken to the Fergus Falls hospital for treatment.
>>Minnesota DNR Unveils New EagleCam
(Undated) — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is unveiling its new and improved EagleCam. It shows the nesting behavior of a breeding pair of bald eagles, featuring the same active nest as last season. However, this season viewers will enjoy an improved view of the nest, as the camera has been repositioned and an antenna has been added to offer a sharper image. The previous EagleCam is also live and continues to display the territory once occupied by the original nest. Both cams can be viewed on the D-N-R’s website and YouTube page.
>>Minnesota Wild, Wallstedt Shut Out Oilers in Edmonton
(Edmonton, AB) — The Minnesota Wild opened a four-game road trip with a 1-0 shutout win Tuesday night in Edmonton. Jesper Wallstedt stopped all 32 Oilers’ shots for his fourth shutout in his last six starts. Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin scored the lone goal on a long slapshot in the first period. Minnesota is 10-0-and-2 in its last 12 games. The Wild play the Flames tomorrow night in Calgary.
>>Timberwolves Need Overtime to Top Pelicans in New Orleans
(New Orleans, LA) — The Minnesota Timberwolves needed overtime to beat the short-handed Pelicans 149-142 last night in New Orleans. Anthony Edwards made a layup with two seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to send the game to O-T. Ant finished with 44 points and Rudy Gobert had 26 and 13 rebounds. Trey Murphy led New Orleans with 33 points. The Wolves and Pelicans play again Thursday night at Smoothie King Center.
