>>Minnesota House Committee Approves Shield Act
(St. Paul, MN) — Making schools safer is the idea behind the Shield Act in the Minnesota House. The bill sponsored by Representative Elliott Engen of White Bear Township would provide funding for schools to set up security plans using technology like bullet-proof windows and doors, lockdown systems, and direct communication with law enforcement. Engen says, “what we want to do is give them the tools and resources they need to be safe if the worst case scenario did occur. And with nine critical incidents on average in each school district across the state, this is an issue that’s glaring.” Engen wants the grants to be available to all school districts in Minnesota. The bill now heads to the House Public Safety, Finance and Policy committee.
>> House Lawmakers Look for Ways to Make Childcare More Affordable in Minnesota
(St.Paul, MN) — A Republican authored House bill would change certain regulations for the childcare industry, a move they argue would lower childcare costs in Minnesota. Hanska Representative Paul Torkelson says the bill isn’t perfect but does help address issues facing childcare in the state. Maria Harms is the owner of Snug as a Bug Child Care in Redwood Falls and says current regulatory standards continue to cause harm to the childcare industry. The bill would change the qualifications needed to work or volunteer in a licensed childcare center and modify center staffing patterns.
>> Minnesota House Bills Proposes Tax Credit for Homebuilding Construction Materials
(St. Paul, MN) — A pair of bills moving through the Minnesota House look to give homebuyers a tax break on construction materials used to build the home. Republican Representative Andrew Myers of Tonka Bay says first-time homebuyers would be exempt from paying sales tax on the first $165,000 of construction. D-F-L Representative Michael Howard of Richfield says he’s not sure how the bill will incentivize building more starter homes if the credit goes to the buyer instead of the builder, and the state could be looking at a hefty price tag. The bills are now on their way to the House Taxes Committee.
>>Newsweek Ranks Mayo Clinic as #1 Hospital in the World Again
(Rochester, MN) — The Mayo Clinic in Rochester is ranked number one on Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals List for the seventh year in a row. Mayo President and C-E-O Gianrico Farrugia said in a statement, “this is just another tribute to the dedicated staff who consistently deliver unparalleled, compassionate care to our patients.” Mayo Clinic ranked first or second on many of the metrics used by Newsweek to measure hospitals from 30 different nations. The Cleveland Clinic is ranked second for the seventh straight year.
>>Supreme Court Rules Charter School Can be Sued for Hiring Teacher Found Guilty of Sex Abuse
(St. Paul, MN) — A Minneapolis charter school can be held accountable for hiring a former teacher who was later convicted of sexually abusing his students—the latest ruling from the Minnesota Supreme Court. The ruling came down Wednesday that Harvest Best Academy can be sued for hiring Aaron Hjermstad in 2016 as a basketball coach and teacher. In 2015, Hjermstad’s contract with another charter school, Excell Academy, was not renewed due to a sexual abuse case investigation. Hjermstad told Harvest Best Academy he was let go due to “budget cuts,” and the school didn’t investigate further. The case now goes to district court.
>>Woman Dies from Stabbing in St. Paul
(St. Paul, MN) — A fatal stabbing marks St. Paul’s first homicide of the year. Police were called to a home Wednesday afternoon after a man reported someone had killed his wife. Officers say the man was covered in blood and a woman was suffering from a stab wound. She died of her injuries at Regions Hospital. The husband was taken to police headquarters for questioning. Investigators say a baby and another adult in the home were not harmed.
>>Girl Dead, 5 Injured in Hennepin County Crash near Independence
(Independence, MN) — An 11-year-old girl is dead, and five others are injured after a crash Wednesday near Independence. West Hennepin Public Safety officials say a car with a family of six was stopped at a four-way stop sign when it was hit by another vehicle that failed to stop. Officers say the driver, a 41-year-old woman, a 43-year-old male passenger, and their three boys, ages 4, 15, and 15, suffered moderate to serious injuries. Their 11-year-old daughter had life-threatening injuries and later died at Children’s Minnesota. It’s unknown if the 18-year-old man driving the other car was injured.
>>Judge Sentences Man for Grabbing Officer’s Taser in Otter Tail County
(Fergus Falls, MN) — A man that took a police officer’s weapon during a domestic incident is sentenced to three months in jail and five years of probation as part of a plea agreement. Otter Tail County prosecutors say 28-year-old Cole Franzen of Pelican Rapids was arrested in December for assaulting law enforcement while he was being arrested for domestic assault. At one point, Officers say Franzen was on top of an Otter Tail County deputy and was Tased by a Pelican Rapids police officer. When the taser appeared to have no effect, the officer set it down to assist the deputy, at which point Franzen grabbed the weapon and used it on the deputy. Franzen continued to struggle with the officers but was eventually secured and taken into custody.
>>Teacher of the Year Candidates Narrowed Down to 31 Semifinalists
(St. Paul, MN) — There are now 31 semifinalists for 2025 Minnesota Teacher of the Year. Education Minnesota says an independent panel picked the semifinalists from a field of 142 candidates. The panel will do further review of the 31 semifinalists in mid-March and chose ten finalists from the group. The 2024 Minnesota Teacher of the Year, Minneapolis Washburn High School English teacher Tracy Byrd, will announce the winner at the annual banquet May 4th in St. Paul.
>>CentraCare Offering Free Colon Cancer Screening Kits in March
(St. Cloud, MN) — In Support of March being Colon Cancer Awareness Month, CentraCare is offering free colon cancer screening kits. While supplies last, people aged 45 or older can pick up a free kit at 17 CentraCare locations throughout March. Colon and rectal cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women, even though it is one of the most preventable. Here’s the list off all 17 locations where you can pick up a free kit:
Baxter Clinic Registration Desk
Becker Clinic Registration Desk
Benson Hospital Registration Desk
Big Lake Clinic Registration Desk
Clearwater Clinic Registration Desk
Coborn Healing Center, in CentraCare Plaza, St. Cloud
Eden Valley Clinic Laboratory
Family Health Center
Long Prairie Clinic Information Desk
Melrose Clinic Registration Desk
Monticello Specialty Clinic (2nd Floor)
Paynesville Laboratory
Redwood Registration Desk
Richmond Clinic Laboratory
Sauk Centre Hospital Registration Desk
St. Cloud Hospital Pharmacy Drive-up Window
Willmar Cancer Center
