>>Walz, Ellison to Address Impact of Federal Detention of Children
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and others are going to talk this afternoon (Tues) about the federal detention of children in Minnesota. The governor’s office says they plan to address the impact it is having on kids and families in the state. ICE agents have detained at least four students from the Columbia Heights District this winter. Neighboring Fridley Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Lewis is scheduled to be part of today’s news conference.
>>DHS Secretary Noem Calls for Body Cams on ICE Agents in Minnesota
(Washington, DC) — Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says all immigration agents in Minnesota will start wearing body-worn cameras. President Donald Trump told reporters he supports Noem’s move, saying, “I think they generally tend to be good for law enforcement because people can’t lie about what’s happening.” Governor Tim Walz said on social media about federal agent body cams,” This should have been the case long before they killed two Americans.” Noem hopes to expand body cams to agents nationwide when Congress provides additional funding.
>>Hennepin County Attorney Issues ‘Touhy’ Demand in Good Investigation
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office is formally demanding federal records as part of its investigation into the January 7th killing of Renee Good by federal agent Jonathan Ross. The office submitted two “Touhy” letters, which are official requests for federal evidence, seeking information from the U-S Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security. The federal agencies have been given a February 17th deadline. The state investigation is being led by the Hennepin County attorney with support from the B-C-A and the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office.
>>Minnesota Republicans Sponsor Voter Integrity Act of 2026
(Washington, DC) — Minnesota’s Republican congressional delegation is sponsoring the “Minnesota Voter Integrity Act of 2026.” Congressman Tom Emmer’s office says the bill would require the state to provide information to the feds on voter records, including same-day voter registration. The legislation was drafted by Congressman Pete Stauber and co-sponsored by Emmer, and G-O-P Representatives Michelle Fischbach and Brad Finstad. It would require Minnesota to follow this request to continue to receive federal funding through the Help America Vote Act of 2002.
>>Secretary of State Simon Calls GOP Voter Integrity Bill ‘Irresponsible Stunt’
(St. Paul, MN) — Secretary of State Steve Simon is calling congressional Republicans’ Minnesota Voter Integrity Act an, “irresponsible stunt.” Simon says in a statement that it would actively damage the security of our elections by threatening to starve Minnesota of critical federal funds that help protect our election infrastructure from harm or attack. He argues that surrendering personal and private information on millions of Minnesota voters violates state and federal law. Minnesota is one of 32 states that have rebuffed the U-S Department of Justice’s demand for voter data.
>>Minnesota DHS launches “Minnesota Revalidate” to combat Medicaid fraud
(St. Paul, MN) — State health officials are launching a new effort called “Minnesota Revalidate” to crack down on Medicaid fraud. The Department of Human Services plans to re-screen every one of the more than 5,800 Medicaid providers in 13 high-risk programs by the end of May. Deputy Commissioner John Connolly says D-H-S is calling on 168 state employees to help conduct unannounced site visits, with training beginning this month and inspections starting soon after. He also says the state is working with federal Medicaid officials after concerns that outdated federal reports could put up to two-billion dollars in funding at risk.
>>St. Louis County Jail Death Under Investigation
(St. Louis County, MN) — The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says a 35-year-old man died after being found unresponsive in a jail cell last week. Darrin Tiessen was found unresponsive during a welfare check around 1 a-m on January 27th. Despite C-P-R and lifesaving efforts, Tiessen died at Aspirus St. Luke’s Hospital on January 30th. At the request of the Sheriff’s Office, the Minnesota B-C-A is conducting an independent investigation to ensure transparency. Tiessen was booked into the jail on January 25th for an active warrant tied to a missed court hearing.
>>Authorities Seeking More Information on Abduction of Zimmerman Girl
(Zimmerman, MN) — Authorities in Sherburne County are seeking more information about the man accused of abducting a seven-year-old girl in Zimmerman. Twenty-eight-year-old Joseph Bragg is charged with kidnapping and sexual assault for the January 21st incident. Investigators say he communicated with parents on social media offering to provide nanny or daycare services. Anyone who employed Bragg to watch their children is asked to contact the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension(BCA).
>>St. Louis County Authorities Investigating ATM Theft on Iron Range
(Iron Range, MN) — Authorities are investigating the theft of cash from an A-T-M early Monday on the Iron Range. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says security video shows a four-door sedan near the scene with two people inside. Investigators haven’t disclosed the location of the A-T-M or how much cash was stolen. Anyone with information should contact the sheriff’s office.
>>Kaprizov, Wild Top Canadiens in Overtime
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Wild topped the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 in overtime Monday night at Grand Casino Arena. Kirill Kaprizov’s second goal of the night was the game-winner in O-T. Brock Faber scored the game-tying goal in the third period and Joel Eriksson-Ek also lit the lamp for Minnesota. Filip Gustavsson made 17 saves for the win. The Wild play their last game before the Olympic break Wednesday at Nashville.
