>>Another Bitterly Cold Morning Across Minnesota
(Chanhassen, MN) — The entire state of Minnesota is under an extreme cold warning through late this morning (Tues). Temperatures were double digits below zero statewide at 4 am today. The mercury fell to negative 40 again this morning in Cook in northeastern Minnesota and minus 30 in Park Rapids. It was 24 below in Willmar, negative 21 at Owatonna, and minus 15 in the Twin Cities and Duluth. The National Weather Service says high temperatures will struggle to rise above zero this afternoon.
>>GOP Leaders to Announce New Ethics Complaint Against Senator Mitchell
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Senate Republicans say they plan to announce updated and new ethics complaints today (Tues 1:30pm) against D-F-L Senator Nicole Mitchell of Woodbury. G-O-P Minority Leader Mark Johnson has called on Democratic leaders to let voters in Mitchell’s district to pick a new senator. Mitchell is accused of breaking into her stepmother’s home in Detroit Lakes last April. Becker County prosecutors added a new felony charge of possession of burglary or theft tools last week. Investigators say Mitchell had a crowbar and flashlight when she was arrested. A judge delayed Mitchell’s trial until after the legislative session.
>>DFL Lawmakers Call on Republicans to Oppose Federal Cuts to Medical Research
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Democrats are calling on Republicans to join them in standing up to the Trump administration’s federal cuts to medical research. Senator Liz Boldon of Rochester warned about the proposed cuts to the National Institutes of Health. Boldon says, “When we stall research, we stall progress. When we cut funding, we cut lives short. N-I-H funding must be restored and the deeply dangerous and unpopular policies of the Trump administration in D-C and our G-O-P counterparts right here in Minnesota must be stopped.” Boldon is a member of the Minnesota Reproductive Freedom Caucus.
>>Application Window Opens for Cannabis Business License Lottery
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management begins accepting applications today (2/18) for the cannabis business license lottery. O-C-M interim director Eric Taubel says they’re accepting applications from verified social equity applicants and general applicants. He says the application deadline is March 14th and the lottery will likely be in May or June. Officials are hoping licensed cannabis retailers can open later this year.
>>Public Safety Memorial Day in Burnsville Honors Fallen First Responders
(Burnsville, MN) — The three first responders killed in the line of duty one year ago today (Tues 2/18) are being honored as heroes in Burnsville. The city council dedicated February 18th to Officers Paul Elmstrand, Matthew Ruge and Firefighter/Paramedic Adam Finseth as Public Safety Memorial Day. Deputy Fire Chief Neal Dwyer says three wreaths are on display for 24 hours at city hall, city flags are flying at half-mast, and buildings will be lit in red and blue tonight. He says the public is invited to pay their respects to the three heroes and city leaders will speak about Elmstrand, Ruge and Finseth during a 2 o’clock program.
>>Investigation Continues into Delta Plane from MSP Crashing in Toronto
(Toronto, ON) — Authorities are still investigating after a Delta Air Lines flight from Minneapolis crash-landed Monday at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The plane turned completely over before coming to a stop upside down on the runway. Investigators say 18 people were hospitalized, but no fatalities have been reported. The flight was operated by Endeavor Air, a wholly owned regional subsidiary of Delta that is based in M-S-P Airport. In a post on social media Governor Walz said he has been in touch with Delta and is grateful for first responders and professionals on the scene. It’s unclear at this time what led to the crash but there were strong winds at the time.
>>Gopher Men’s Basketball at UCLA
(Los Angeles, CA) — The University of Minnesota men’s basketball team goes for a Southern California sweep tonight (Tues 9:30pm) at U-C-L-A. The Golden Gophers won at U-S-C 69-66 on Saturday afternoon thanks to a career-high 25 points from La’Cye Patterson of Minneapolis. It will be tougher matchup tonight against the Bruins, who have won eight of their last nine games. This is the first meeting between the two schools since Minnesota topped U-C-L-A in the 2013 N-C-A-A Tournament. The Gophers have never played at Pauley Pavilion.
