>> Governor Walz Unveils Anti-Fraud Bill
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz is rolling out a new anti-fraud bill. Walz announced the proposal Thursday at the Capitol, one day after the White House halted more than 259 million dollars in Medicaid payments to the state. The bill includes three major components: stronger oversight, higher criminal penalties, and enhanced enforcement measures. Walz criticized the federal action, calling it a “ransom note” that he says will harm vulnerable Minnesotans. He went further, describing the funding pause as “targeted retribution against a state that the president doesn’t like.”
>>BCA Identifies Man, Officers in Brooklyn Center Fatal Shooting
(Brooklyn Center, MN) — Authorities are identifying the man killed in an incident on Monday in Brooklyn Center as 23-year-old Eddie Duncan of Minneapolis. The B-C-A (Bureau of Criminal Apprehension) has also named the three officers who fired their weapons: Christian Lausen, with four years of experience; Francisco Martinez, with three years; and Wahid Gul, with five years. All have been placed on critical incident leave. Investigators say officers responded to reports of a man waving a handgun in a parking lot. Officials say Duncan fired toward officers, striking a squad car, and officers returned fire, hitting Duncan. He was taken to a hospital, where he died. No officers were hurt.
>>Federal Judge Orders ICE Officials to Appear in Court
(St. Paul, MN) — A federal judge has ordered ICE and Department of Justice officials to appear in court to explain why they shouldn’t be held in contempt for repeatedly failing to return property seized from immigrants illegally detained during Operation Metro Surge. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Bryan issued the order Thursday, directing U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen and ICE representatives to a March 3rd hearing in St. Paul. The order covers 28 cases in which immigrants were detained unlawfully and released without their belongings, including cash, phones, IDs, work permits, passports, and other critical documents.
>>State Senator Calls for Boost to Minnesota’s Beginning Farmer Tax Credit
(St. Paul, MN) – Minnesotans interested in starting their own farms may soon get a better chance under a Minnesota plan. Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Aric Putnam (DFL-St. Cloud) is calling for the annual Beginner’s Farmer Tax Credit to be increased. The tax credit allows more farmers to access land, livestock, equipment, and other assets to build their own successful farm. This tax credit lowers the financial barriers blocking many new farmers. The legislature reauthorized the tax credit in 2023, but the program saw a decrease in the funding cap in 2025. For the first time in the program’s history, that year saw fewer than half of the applicants able to access the credit.
>>Bill to Double the Number of Fishing Lines Anglers Can Use
(St. Paul, MN) – Minnesota lawmakers are considering a bill that would let anglers use two fishing lines instead of one. Author Chris Swedzinski says the change would boost fish stocking funds by encouraging more wildlife stamp sales and give anglers—especially younger ones—a better chance at success. The Department of Natural Resources does have concerns. Deputy Director Pat Rivers warns that more lines could increase fish mortality and push some lakes beyond sustainable harvest levels. The department is also weighing a separate change that would lower the daily walleye limit from six to four starting in March of 2027.
>>Four Dead, One Critically Injured in Head-On Crash on Highway 169
(Mille Lacs County, MN) — Here’s an update on a deadly head-on crash in Mille Lacs County. Four people were killed, and another suffered life-threatening injuries in a head-on crash on Wednesday night. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the crash happened around 7 p.m. on Highway 169 near Onamia. Investigators say a northbound car, driven by 21-year-old Samantha Ajax of Isle, crossed the center line and struck a southbound vehicle. Ajax and the other driver, 53-year-old Michelle Rock of Minneapolis, died at the scene. Three passengers were riding with Rock. Two of them, 41-year-old Christopher Boswell of Onamia and 51-year-old James Ortley of Minneapolis, were also killed. The third passenger, 25-year-old Jessica Mitchell of Onamia, was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
>>Woman Dies in Douglas County Detached Garage Fire
(Miltona, MN) — Authorities in west central Minnesota are investigating a deadly fire on Thursday, north of Alexandria. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a fire in the living quarters of a detached garage in Miltona Township. Deputies say a woman pulled from the garage was not responsive or breathing, and paramedics tried to save her, but she died at the scene. Crews from Miltona and Parkers Prairies put out the fire. Investigators are working to determine the cause.
>>Executive Director of Suicide Prevention Organization Charged with Swindling
(Monticello, MN) — Prosecutors say the executive director of a Minnesota suicide prevention nonprofit stole nearly $220,000 from the organization. 46-year-old Ryan Obermoller of Monticello is charged in Sherburne County with two felony counts of theft by swindling. In August, leaders of Dylan’s Hope Foundation, created after the 2013 death of Becker High School student Dylan Aaseby, reported concerns to law enforcement. After a fundraising discrepancy surfaced, Obermoller admitted to taking more than $170,000 since 2020 and said he had repaid $22,000. An investigation later found the total loss was just under $220,000. Records show Obermoller wrote checks to himself and then altered the payee in QuickBooks to make it appear the money went elsewhere.
>> Mpls Nonprofit Hiring Former St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter
(St. Paul, MN) — A Minneapolis nonprofit is bringing former St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter on board. He’s been hired as an interim senior adviser for the GroundBreak Coalition, a group focused on closing racial gaps in homeownership and building wealth. This comes nearly four months after Carter lost his bid for a third term to now-Mayor Kaohly(KUH’-lee) Her. GroundBreak launched in 2022 to raise more than five billion dollars to expand economic opportunity. It brought in its first billion in just one year. In his new role, Carter will help shape the coalition’s policy agenda, work with business leaders, assist with fundraising, and boost the organization’s visibility.
>>Gopher Men’s Hockey Upsets # 2 Michigan in Ann Arbor
(Ann Arbor, MI) — The University of Minnesota men’s hockey team upset second-ranked Michigan 4-2 last (Thurs) night in Ann Arbor. Brodie Ziemer had a pair of goals, and L-J Mooney and Tanner Ludke also scored for the Golden Gophers. Minnesota goaltender Luca Di Pasquo made 35 saves for the win. The Gophers and Wolverines face off again tonight at Yost Ice Arena.
