>>New ‘Red Flag’ Law Takes Effect in Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota’s still-controversial “red flag” law takes effect today (Mon 1/1/24). It allows household members, law enforcement, prosecutors, or a guardian to ask the court for an “extreme risk protection order”, banning someone from possessing firearms for up to a year if they’re judged a danger to themselves or others. New Hope Democrat Cedrick Frazier, during House floor debate said it does not confiscate guns without due process. He says, “the reality of this is, we’re trying to save lives here. We’re trying to prevent more mass shootings in our communities.” Pennington Republican Matt Bliss warned law enforcement will confiscate the firearms, however, “They’re gonna leave that person in the house with this person that they’re saying is a danger to themselves or others, with hammers, knives, fists.” Republicans unsuccessfully argued a 72-hour mental health hold is a better way.
>>New State Law Requires School Districts Provide Free Menstrual Products
(St. Paul, MN) — All Minnesota school districts must provide access to menstrual products at no charge this year under a new state law. The bill sponsored by Representatives Cheryl Youakim (YOO’-uh-kim), Sandra Feist and Senator Mary Kunesh (KOO’-nish) states products are required to be available in restrooms regularly used by female and male students in grades four through 12. Republicans attempted to change the law’s verbiage to just “female restrooms,” but this was rejected. About $2 per pupil will be added to the 2024-2025 education finance bill to fund the free menstrual products.
>>January is Radon Action Month in Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Department of Health is making its annual push to get people to test their homes for radon (RAY’-dahn) in January. Dan Trantner of the M-D-H Indoor Air program says it is a type of radiation that comes from our soil and can seep into our homes. He adds, “And we want all Minnesotans to learn about this gas – and to know – the good news is that we have reliable methods to test for it and to fix your home, so.” Trantner says January is an ideal time to test because our homes are closed up and furnaces are running. You can get a radon test kit for low or no cost through a city or county health department in Minnesota, or at a hardware store.
>>Minnesota Millionaire Raffle Drawing Posted Today
(Roseville, MN) — The winning numbers in the Minnesota Millionaire Raffle are now posted (Mon) on the Minnesota Lottery’s website. Lottery officials say the two one-million-dollar winning tickets were sold at Coborn’s in Delano and Kwik Trip in Dundas. Five new 50-thousand-dollar prizes were added this year and one-hundred-fifty new 250-dollar prizes. Last year’s one-million-dollar prizes were won in St. Louis Park and Oak Park Heights.
>>Vehicle Restrictions on Upper Red Lake Ice After Multiple Incidents
(Upper Red Lake, MN) — Authorities in Beltrami County are restricting vehicle access on Upper Red Lake due to anglers becoming stranded on and breaking through the ice. A large ice floe broke off from shore Friday afternoon and a total of 122 people had to be rescued. The sheriff’s office says snowmobiles, A-T-Vs and all motor vehicles are barred from going on the ice. Officials say they will monitor the ice conditions and when practical the sheriff will lift the restrictions.
>>2 Men Rescued from Lake Ann in Sherburne County
(Zimmerman, MN) — Two men are okay after falling into the water and being rescued from Lake Ann on Friday night near Zimmerman. The Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office says firefighters saved a 59-year-old man, and a 63-year-old man. Sheriff Joel Brott says the brothers pushed a flat-bottom boat about 70 yards from shore, broke through the ice, put it back in open water and started fishing. They fell into water while trying to get their boat back onto the ice and a man walking his dog called for help. Deputies say both men were taken to the hospital to be checked out.
>>Winter Trout Fishing Season Begins in Southeastern Minnesota
(Lanesboro, MN) — The winter trout fishing season opens today (Mon) on a number of streams in the southeast corner of Minnesota. Fishing is “catch-and-release” only on designated trout streams in Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Wabasha and Winona counties. The D-N-R says area streams hold brown trout, brook trout and rainbow trout, and many are at or near all-time high fish populations. Anglers can also try to hook a trout in Beaver Creek Valley, Forestville and Whitewater state parks.
>>Authorities ID Man Fatally Shot near U of M Campus
(Minneapolis, MN) — A man from the Detroit area is the victim of a deadly weekend shooting near the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis. The medical examiner says 40-year-old Kenneth Maurice Johnson of Wayne, Michigan died of a gunshot wound to the torso early Saturday. Officers say Johnson was shot during fight between a group of people in front of the Santana grocery store on University Avenue. Paramedics tried to save him, but Johnson died in the hospital. Minneapolis police haven’t reported an any arrests in the case.
>>2 Injuries Reported in Grant County Apartment Explosion
(Hoffman ,MN) — Two people are recovering from injuries suffered in an apartment complex explosion Friday morning in the west-central Minnesota town of Hoffman. The Grant County Sheriff’s Office says it happened at North Star Manor Apartments. All tenants were evacuated, and two people were taken to a hospital. The Red Cross is providing support to those affected and the State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating.
>>Packers Rout Vikings on New Year’s Eve at Home
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Green Bay Packers spoiled the Minnesota Vikings’ New Year’s Eve celebration with a 33-10 win at U-S Bank Stadium. The Vikings fall to 7-and-9 and are now a longshot to make the playoffs. The Packers improve to 8-and-8 and can clinch a postseason berth with a victory over the Bears at home. Minnesota wraps up the season at Detroit and would need a win and a lot of help from other N-F-C teams to sneak into the playoffs. Rookie quarterback Jaren Hall started for the Purple but was replaced by Nick Mullens in the second half.
