>>Authorities ID Officers, Firefighter Killed in Burnsville Domestic Shooting
(Burnsville, MN) — Authorities are releasing more information about a domestic shooting incident that left two police officers and a firefighter dead early Sunday in Burnsville. The victims are 27-year-old Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge and 40-year-old SWAT paramedic Adam Finseth. Minnesota B-C-A Superintendent Drew Evans says it happened when an armed man was barricaded inside a home with seven children. Evans told reporters, “At one point during that barricaded situation the subject opened fire on the officers in the home and Officers Elmstrand, Ruge and Finseth from the fire department were killed by the gunman during their response.” Sergeant Adam Medlicott was also shot but is expected to survive. Evans says the suspect was found dead in the home several hours later and all the kids got out safely.
>>Flags Lowered in Honor of Officers, Firefighter Killed in Burnsville
(St. Paul, MN) — Flags are flying at half-staff in Minnesota by order of Governor Tim Walz, to honor the two Burnsville police officers and the firefighter/paramedic who lost their lives in the line of duty. The governor says his heart is with the grieving families and “the State of Minnesota stands ready to support in any way we can.” The five state legislators representing the Burnsville area say their hearts ache for “three of our neighbors who dedicated their lives to… keeping our community safe.” Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy says “we must never take for granted the sacrifices our police officers and first responders make” and Minority Leader Mark Johnson says he’s praying for the families, and “the full and speedy recovery of other law enforcement who may have been injured and impacted.” Congresswoman Angie Craig says “we must do everything in our power to prevent tragedies like these… and hold violent criminals accountable.”
>>2nd Week of Legislative Session at State Capitol
(St. Paul, MN) — A second hearing in state Senate committee today (Mon 1230pm) on a bill that aims to clarify when on-site school resource officers are allowed to use force — as behind-the-scenes negotiations continue in the House on a stalled bill with a hearing scheduled tomorrow. A bill in House committee would put repealed F-C-C rules on “net neutrality” into Minnesota law and prohibit paid prioritization of traffic by those providing Internet service to people in the state. Another bill before the same panel would require local telecom carriers to give customers an immediate 25-dollar credit if their repair tech doesn’t show up at the scheduled appointment time and location. And a Senate panel considers a proposal for a working group to examine what some call confusing and complex language in Minnesota’s driver’s license examination process.
>>Rep. Phillips Announces Layoffs for Presidential Campaign Staff
(Lansing, MI) — U-S Representative and 2024 presidential candidate Dean Phillips says he’s laying off a large amount of his campaign staff. In a social media post, Phillips attributed the layoffs to funding troubles, finding it “impossible to raise enough to do the campaign the way I want.” Minnesota’s 3rd District congressman says he’s continuing his campaign despite the layoffs. Phillips is challenging President Biden for the Democratic nomination. He has campaign events planned today(Mon) in Michigan and is on the state’s February 27th primary ballot.
>>Post Offices, Public Agencies, Some Banks & Schools Closed for Presidents Day
(Undated) — Today is Presidents’ Day, a national holiday. The post office, libraries, most banks, and local, state, and federal offices will be closed. Some local schools will also be closed, including in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Mass transit, groceries, and malls will be open.
>>Minnesota Housing Market Continues to Rebound in 2024
(Redwood Falls, MN) — The state’s housing market continues to show signs of improvement in the new year. Minnesota Realtors’ President Geri Theis (JAIR’-ee TICE) of Redwood Falls says there were a lot more homes on the market in January and people are buying. New listings were up 17.9 percent, pending sales increased 7.7 percent and closed sales rose for the time in two years. The January report shows the Detroit Lakes, Alexandria and Grand Rapids regions says the largest gains in new listings while pending sales increased the most in the St. Cloud, Willmar, and Bemidji areas. Theis says realtors are optimistic about the market in 2024.
>>New Brighton Couple Killed in Multi-Vehicle Crash on Interstate 694
(Arden Hills, MN) — A couple from New Brighton are identified as the victims of a multiple-vehicle fatal crash that closed Interstate 694 in Arden Hills on Friday. The Minnesota State Patrol says 76-year-old Curtis O’Connor and 74-year-old Karin O’Connor died at the scene. The report says an S-U-V swerved from right lane to the left shoulder and spun out, striking the O’Connor’s car and forcing it into the left lane. A semi then struck the driver’s side door of their car. Troopers say the S-U-V driver suffered non-life threatening injuries and that alcohol was involved.
>>Winona Teacher Accused of Sexual Misconduct
(Winona, MN) — A southeast Minnesota high school teacher is accused of having sexual relationships with three students. Court documents say three Winona Senior High School students, between 16 and 18 years old, confided in 29-year-old Eric Birth while struggling with personal issues. The sexual encounters span from 2016 to at least 2023. Court records say law enforcement asked a student about their relationship with Birth, a P-E teacher and track coach at the school. The student first denied it, but in January 2024, told officers she lied. Birth is on administrative leave and is still listed in the staff directory as of this morning.
>>KAT Scores 50 But West Falls to East in NBA All-Star Game
(Indianapolis, IN) — The Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns scored 50 points, but the West fell to the East team 211-186 in the N-B-A All-Star Game in Indiana. KAT made 23 shots and added eight rebounds and three assists in 28 minutes Sunday night. Teammate Anthony Edwards had four points in 13 minutes. Bucks guard Damian Lillard scored 39 for the East and was named M-V-P. The Wolves’ Chris Finch and his staff coached the West team because 39-and-16 Minnesota has the best record in the conference.