>>Senate GOP to Roll Out Bills to Prevent Fraud and Waste in State Government
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Senate Republicans are introducing several bills this morning (Wed 10am) to combat fraud, waste, and abuse in state government. G-O-P Minority Leader Mark Johnson from East Grand Forks says the problems of the past could have been stopped before it was too late. He says, “You look at how Feeding Our Future went down or the childcare agencies and what happened there and those problems. It was really a lack of oversight on the grants that being were given out.” Republicans in the Minnesota House are asking the U-S Justice Department to investigate fraud in state government under the Walz administration.
>> New Senate Bill Could Eliminate Burial Fees for Veterans’ Families
(St. Paul, MN) — A new bill proposed in the Senate could eliminate burial fees in Minnesota State Veterans Cemeteries for spouses and children of our veterans. It was introduced in the Senate Veterans Subcommittee by Senator Bill Lieske of Lonsdale. He says this would remove a financial burden on military families so their loved ones can be laid to rest together. The legislation would also expand the ways Minnesota’s ‘Support Our Troops’ funds could be used to help with these expenses.
>>Craig Continues Push for New Farm Bill in House Ag Committee
(Washington, DC) — The U-S House Agriculture Committee is looking for ways to help struggling farmers. Ranking member Angie Craig spoke during Tuesday’s hearing titled, “examining the economic crisis in farm country.” Craig told the committee, “My Minnesota farmers tell me every day. High input costs, low prices, stubborn inflation, bird flu, droughts, floods, changes in consumer behavior, and general market volatility, have made it increasingly difficult for America’s family farmers.” Craig says Congress must do its part and pass a bi-partisan Farm Bill that strengthens the farm safety net, cuts red tape, and provides new opportunities for new and beginning farmers.
>>Pork Congress Underway in Mankato
(Mankato, MN) — Minnesota pork producers are in Mankato to address issues impacting their businesses. The annual Pork Congress at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center attracts over a thousand attendees, seeking ways to enhance production and maintain animal health. A significant topic of discussion at this year’s congress is the potential international tariffs that could affect pork exports and reduce profitability. The event is scheduled to conclude later today (Wed).
>>MPD Chief O’Hara Comments on “Brazen” Crime Spree Tuesday Morning
(Minneapolis, MN) — Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara is providing more details about an early Tuesday morning crime spree that he called “brazen.” O’Hara said, “between 5:00 and 6:50 am, the Minneapolis Police Department responded to six separate incidents, including aggravated robbery, burglary, carjacking and two shootings.” Witnesses reported that the suspects, three to four males were all traveling in a white sedan. Officers have recovered the sedan and the vehicle stolen in the carjacking. Anyone with information about the suspects is asked to contact the M-P-D or leave a tip with Crimestoppers online.
>>8 Winning Names in MnDOT’s ‘Name a Snowplow’ Contest Unveiled Today
(Roseville, MN) – The winners of the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s fifth annual ‘Name a Snowplow’ contest are being announced later this morning (Wed 11am) at a Twin Cities truck station. Governor Tim Walz and MnDOT Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger will unveil the eight winning names. They will become the names of snowplows in all eight of the MnDOT districts in the state. More than 73 hundred names were submitted, and the list was narrowed down to 50 finalists. The final voting ended last Friday.
>>MPCA Fines MnDOT, Construction Company for Discharging Sediment-Laden Water
(Eden Prairie, MN) — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is fining MnDOT and Stahl Construction for discharging sediment-laden water into a creek in Eden Prairie. M-P-C-A officials say the discharges happened twice during construction of MnDOT’s truck facility last summer. MnDOT was fined 19 thousand dollars and Stahl must pay more than 17 thousand. Investigators say the project failed to maintain best management practices for erosion and sediment control and a lack of inspections contributed to the pollution of Nine Mile Creek.
>>Funeral for Mahtomedi Native Killed in Plane vs. Helicopter Crash near Washington DC
(Mahtomedi, MN) — There’s a funeral in Mahtomedi today (Wed) for a Minnesota native killed in the crash between a passenger plane and Army helicopter near Washington, D-C last month. Thirty-five-year-old Wendy Jo Shafer was one of the 67 victims in the deadly January 29th midair collision over the Potomac River. The service for Shafer is at 11 am at St. Jude of the Lake Catholic Church in Mahtomedi. A celebration of life will follow from 3 to 7 pm at J-X Venue in Stillwater. Shafer grew up in Mahtomedi and later lived in Charlotte, North Carolina.
>>Fastenal Founder Kierlin Dies in Winona
(Winona, MN) — A man who transformed a small fastener business in southeastern Minnesota into a global brand will be laid to rest this weekend. Fastenal founder Bob Kierlin died Monday at Winona Health. In 1967, Kierlin and three partners founded Fastenal, which has since become the largest fastening distributor in North America. He served as C-E-O from 1968 to 2002 and remained on the company’s board until 2014. At 85 years old, Kierlin was also recognized for his philanthropy; he funded the construction of the Minnesota Marine Art Museum and supported various community projects. His funeral is Saturday in Winona.
>>Nebraska Truck Driver Dies in Crash in Hutchinson
(Hutchinson, MN) — A Nebraska man is the victim of a deadly crash in McLeod County. The Minnesota State Patrol says the 67-year-old was driving his semi-truck on Highway 15 in Hutchinson early Tuesday when he lost control while navigating a curve. The rig veered off the road, rolled over, and struck a tree. Troopers say the man from Lincoln, Nebraska died at the scene. The report says there was snow and ice on the highway at the time of the crash.
>>Minnesota Man Sets World Record for Fastest Round of Disc Golf
(Fridley, MN) — A man from Minnesota has a new world record for completing the fastest round of disc golf. Guinness World Records announced Tuesday that Jonathan Wolfrath finished 18 holes at a disc golf course in Fridley in just under five minutes. The previous record was approximately seven and a half minutes. Wolfrath says he also intends to pursue the record for the most disc golf holes played in 24 hours.
>>Minnesota Timberwolves Play the Milwaukee Bucks at Target Center
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Timberwolves are back home tonight (Wed 7pm) to face the Milwaukee Bucks at Target Center. The Wolves fell to the Cavaliers 128-107 Monday in Cleveland. Anthony Edwards had 44 points in the loss to the Cavs and has scored 40 or more points in three straight games. Edwards is listed as questionable against Milwaukee with a sore hip. He missed Saturday’s win over Portland due to concern over the injury. Minnesota will host the Oklahoma City Thunder tomorrow night (Thurs 7pm) in the final game before the N-B-A All-Star break.
