>>Latest State Budget Forecast for Minnesota Released This Morning
(St. Paul, MN) — Today’s updated economic forecast will tell state lawmakers whether they must deal with a budget surplus or a deficit when they return to the Minnesota Capitol next month. The February forecast showed a 3.7-billion dollar surplus for 2024-25 but warned of a possible deficit in 2026-27 depending on how the economy does and how much the state spends. Governor Tim Walz says even if the budget forecast shows a deficit, “we can address it.” Tax collections for 2024 are nearly 500 million dollars more than projected in the last forecast, but whether lawmakers are faced with a budget surplus, or a deficit also depends on spending projections.
>>Family of 6-Year-Old Eli Hart Receives $2.25M in Wrongful Death Suit
(Dakota County, MN) — The family of six-year-old Eli Hart, a boy fatally shot by his mother in Mound in May 2022 , will receive $2.25 million total in a federal wrongful death suit against Dakota County. Julissa Thaler of Spring Park was convicted of shooting Eli multiple times and putting her son’s body in her vehicle’s trunk. Just 10 days before, Dakota County closed a child protection case against Thaler, who had failed drug tests and stalked Hart’s foster parents. Hart’s father will receive over $1 million, and three grandparents will receive nearly $25,000 each, the rest going to attorney fees. Thaler is serving life without parole for premeditated first- and second-degree murder.
>>Bloomington Police Have No Recorded Confession from OJ Simpson
(Bloomington, MN) — Bloomington police are shutting down the rumor that they have a “secret taped confession” from O-J Simpson. The late N-F-L star was acquitted of all charges in the June 1994 deaths of Nicole Simpson and Ronald Goldman. Police in Bloomington arrested a man in March of 2022 for assaulting and stabbing a woman. Los Angeles police contacted the Bloomington P-D this June about a media thumb drive of the suspect that allegedly had a recording of Simpson confessing to the two murders. A search warrant of the drive found “nothing of value” for Los Angeles investigators.
>>Search for Man and Dog in Cannon Falls Suspended Until Thursday
(Cannon Falls, MN) — Authorities in southeastern Minnesota are suspending the search until Thursday for a missing man and his dog in the Cannon Falls area. Police say the 60-year-old man had taken his dog for walk in the woods Monday night and vanished. Officers say the active search was postponed Tuesday night due to darkness, strong winds and falling temperatures and will not resume until Thursday. Investigators say they will be planning the next steps in the search today (Wed).
>>DNR Urges Caution on Thin Ice on Lakes, Ponds Following Several Rescues
(Undated) — The Department of Natural Resources is reminding Minnesota about the dangers of thin ice following several rescues across the state. The D-N-R’s Nicole Biagi says most of the water bodies around the state don’t have enough ice yet for walking or ice skating. She says the ice is variable, and people need to be very careful. The D-N-R recommends at least four inches of clear, solid ice before venturing out.
>>Man Charged for Holding Woman Against Her Will in Otter Tail County
(Dalton, MN) — A west central Minnesota man is charged with holding a woman against her will with a gun in Dalton. The Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office received a text message Monday night saying that the man was armed. Sheriff’s deputies went to the home and took 42-year-old Ryan Hamilton into custody. The woman wasn’t hurt. Hamilton made his first court appearance Tuesday for second-degree assault and domestic assault with a firearm.
>>Auction for Ruby Slippers Stolen from Garland Museum Ends Saturday
(Dallas, TX ) — Online bidding is underway for a pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the “Wizard of Oz.” The iconic slippers were stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids in 2005 which were on loan from a California collector. The F-B-I recovered the shoes in 2018. The Judy Garland Museum has been fundraising to try to buy the slippers back and put them on permanent display. The museum has secured support from the state of Minnesota, which set aside $100,000 to help with the purchase. The auction wraps up Saturday.
>>Gopher Men’s Basketball Hosting Michigan State in Big Ten Opener
(Minneapolis, MN) — The University of Minnesota men’s basketball team opens Big Ten play tonight (Wed 7:30pm) against 25th-ranked Michigan State at Williams Arena. The 6-and-3 Gophers are coming off a 79-62 win over Bethune-Cookman. The Spartans are 6-2 following last week’s upset of North Carolina. Gopher coach Ben Johnson says Michigan State is dangerous offensive team.
>>Timberwolves and Lynx Locker Room Liquidation Sale on Wednesday
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx are hosting the annual Locker Room Liquidation Sale today (Wed 9am-4pm) at Mayo Clinic Square. Fans can purchase discounted Wolves and Lynx gear including signed merchandise. There will be t-shirts, sweatshirts, pants, shorts, and a full range of apparel. Credit cards and Apple Pay will be accepted. No cash this year. Proceeds from the sale go to the Minnesota Fastbreak Foundation.
