>>Brooklyn Park Police Not Participating in Federal Immigration Enforcement Raids
(Brooklyn Park, MN) — Police in Brooklyn Park say they generally do not get involved in enforcement of federal immigration laws. Police Chief Mark Bruhley says when they do traffic stops or respond to calls an officer will not ask the immigration status of community members. He says that’s important because residents need to know that they can report crimes and not be fearful of their immigration status. Bruhley says they are not participating in ICE raids. About a quarter of Brooklyn Park’s 84 thousand residents were born outside the U-S.
>>Senate Democrats Sound Alarm over Trump’s Plan to Dismantle Department of Education
(St. Paul, MN) — Democrats on the Minnesota Senate Education Finance Committee are warning it would be a huge blow to the state budget if President Trump eliminates the Department of Education. Senator Mary Kunesh of New Brighton says federal funding covers ten percent of the state education budget or about a billion dollars. She says, “schools have already spent money and they’re expecting reimbursement for that. That is money they’re already out of pocket for. ” D-F-L members are calling on state Republicans to join them and try to persuade Washington, D-C that this is a bad idea.
>>School Safety Discussion Planned at State Capitol
(St. Paul, MN) — School safety will take center stage today (Wed 12:30pm) at the State Capitol. Minnesota Educators and administrators will discuss school safety at a Senate Education Committee hearing. Legislation will be introduced to protect students from violent school incidents and the reporting of school fights among other topics.
>>Robbinsdale Assistant Principal Not Charged with Felony Obstruction
(Golden Valley, MN) — A Robbinsdale Area Schools assistant principal will not be charged after being accused of hiding brass knuckles from a student fight. Golden Valley Police asked the Robbinsdale-Academy Highview school teacher to face felony obstruction charges. He allegedly hid the weapon used by one student to attack another in late November. The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office says the charges aren’t appropriate.
>>Winter Walk to School Day in Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) — More than 50 schools in the state are participating in today’s (Wed) Winter Walk to School Day in Minnesota. The annual event encourages students to walk to class while enjoying winter and increasing their physical activity. Hundreds of Minnesota students are expected to walk to and from school. MnDOT is asking drivers to stop for kids crossing at every corner especially during school arrival and dismissal times.
>>Anoka County, Former Jail Inmate Settle for $2.75M
(Anoka County, MN) — Anoka County and a former jail inmate have settled a lawsuit. The county will pay Deyonta Green $2.75 million for being denied care while incarcerated. Green was 25 years old when booked on February 5th, 2022. Struggling with opioid addiction, the lawsuit said the prison would not give him his prescribed medication to manage withdrawal symptoms. Green was brought to a hospital days later after being found unresponsive on his cell floor. Green’s lawyer says the denial of care has led to long-lasting symptoms.
>>Hutchinson VFW Post 906 Donates $80K to State Veterans Homes
(Hutchinson, MN) — The Charles McLaughlin V-F-W Post 906 in Hutchinson is donating 80-thousand dollars to Minnesota’s State Veterans Homes. The homes in Bemidji, Fergus Falls, Hastings, Luverne, Minneapolis, Montevideo, Preston and Silver Bay will each receive 10-thousand dollars. The funding will be used to create a memorial wall on the grounds of the three newest locations, to develop new resident activities and enhance existing programs, and purchase new equipment. This is the third straight year that Post 906 provided a donation to the eight veterans homes.
>>Woman Suspected of Arson in Austin Duplex Fire
(Austin, MN) — Fire officials in southern Minnesota say a suspect is under arrest in connection with a house fire Tuesday in Austin. Crews battled flames on one side of a duplex for several hours and the home is a considered a total loss. A neighbor told police that a man jumped from a second story window and appeared to suffer a broken leg. Officers say a woman was taken into custody and could face arson charges. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is assisting local investigators.
>>Man Injured in Machete Attack at Rochester Home
(Rochester, MN) — Police in Rochester say a man took a machete to the neck Monday in a home. Officers say a verbal dispute began between two men that ended with one swinging a machete at the other. The victim drove to another home after being cut and then was brought to St. Mary’s Hospital. His condition is unknown. No arrests have been made, and both men are cooperating.
>>Melrose Man Hurt in St. Louis County Snowmobile Crash
(Orr, MN) — A man from Melrose is hospitalized with a head injury suffered in a snowmobile crash Tuesday afternoon near Orr in northeastern Minnesota. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says the 48-year-old rider veered off a snowmobile trail and struck a tree. The victim was taken by helicopter to a hospital. Deputies say the man showed no signs of impairment and the cause of the crash is still under investigation.
>>Gopher Men’s Hoops Gets Big Ten Road Win at Penn State
(University Park, PA) — The University of Minnesota men’s basketball team snapped a two-game skid with a 69-61 Big Ten road win at Penn State. The Golden Gophers outscored the Nittany Lions 48-36 in the second half last (Tues) night. Dawson Garcia led Minnesota with 19 points and 14 rebounds, and Brennan Rigsby went six-for-six from the floor and finished with 14 points. The Gophers are back home Saturday night to face 23rd-ranked Illinois.
