>>New Minnesota Veterans Home Opening in Montevideo
(Montevideo, MN) — The state’s sixth veterans home opens today (Mon) in western Minnesota’s Chippewa County. Administrator Ashley Bormann says the Minnesota Veterans Home in Montevideo has the capacity to serve 72 veterans and they’re all private rooms with private bathrooms with showers. Bormann says the project has been in the works for 16 years and they are grateful to be part of the Montevideo community. This is move-in day (Mon) and ten residents are scheduled to move in by the end of this week.
>>Walz Talks Abortion Rights on 51st Anniversary of Roe v Wade
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz says the fight for reproductive rights continues on this 51st anniversary (1/22) of the U-S Supreme Court’s Roe vs. Wade decision. Walz says the overturning of that decision nearly two years has created so-called “health care deserts” for women in some states. He says Minnesota has seen a 30 percent increase in need for reproductive and healthcare services at Planned Parenthood. The governor says,” the most over-utilized clinics right now border Iowa and the Dakotas because they are coming across the border to try and use our facilities.” Walz was the first governor to sign a bill into law last January that ensures residents have access to reproductive health care. Republican leaders claimed it went too far and called it “an extreme law.”
>>Department of Education Looking for Summer Meals Sponsors
(St. Paul, MN) — The state Education Department is looking for schools, local governments and nonprofits to sponsor the federally-funded “summer meals for children” program in areas of Minnesota not currently served. Emily Honer (HOE-ner) with the Minnesota Department of Education says, “we know so many of our children get their healthy meals, get their interaction with other kids, from that school environment. And so (in) the summer, they might not have that.” Honer says sponsor organizations receive government funding and are allowed to serve children up to two meals daily at each site. Parents who want to locate the closest summer meal site should get the “Free Meals for Kids” app in the Google or Apple stores.
>>Queer Caucus Opposes Removal of Pride, Puerto Rican Flags in Worthington Schools
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Queer Legislators Caucus is speaking out after the Worthington School District removed an L-G-B-T-Q-plus and a Puerto Rican flag from a teacher’s classroom. The lawmakers say in a statement the move, “sends a “chilling message to marginalized groups within the school’s predominantly Latino student body.” The Queer Caucus called the decision to remove these flags, “a shameful act of queer censorship and structural racism.” The Worthington School Board voted to only allow U-S and Minnesota flags in classrooms moving forward.
>>5-Year-Old Girls Dies from Injuries Suffered in Crash in Lake Elmo
(Lake Elmo, MN) — A five-year-old girl is dead after a crash on Highway 36 Saturday night in Washington County. The Minnesota State Patrol says a car driven by 43-year-old Christopher Peterson of St. Paul was stalled in the left lane of traffic in Lake Elmo when an S-U-V rear-ended him at highway speeds. Troopers say Peterson and his ten-year-old son suffered non-life threatening injuries and his five-year-old daughter, Morgan, was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. A Go Fund Me page says Morgan died in the hospital Sunday. The family says the S-U-V driver was drunk when he rear-ended their car. The report says it is “unknown” whether the 47-year-old St. Paul man was under the influence of alcohol.
>>Redwood County Authorities ID Man Killed in Crash on Minnesota River
(Bellview, MN) — The Redwood County Sheriff’s Office is naming the man who died when his car crashed onto the Minnesota River Friday near Bellview. Deputies say they found 30-year-old Thaddeus Lorenz of New Auburn dead inside the vehicle. His car did not break through the ice and has been removed from the river. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine his official cause and manner of death.
>>State Troopers Say Fatal Crash in Edina Stemmed from Medical Situation
(Edina, MN) — Authorities believe that a medical situation led to a fatal crash Sunday morning in Edina. The State Patrol says a car was traveling on Highway 62 when it left the road, struck the median barrier and ended up in the left lane. The 42-year-old driver from Lester Prairie died at the scene. The roadway was dry at the time. Troopers plan to release more information about the crash later today (Mon).
>>Becker County Sherriff’s Office Warns of Phone Number Scam
(Detroit Lakes, MN) — The Becker County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents of a possible scam using their phone number. Deputies say after an individual answers the call, they’re told they’ve missed court in Becker County and now have an arrest warrant issued. The scammer will tell the person they can stop the warrant by paying immediately and only over the phone. Officials say they will never ask for payment over the phone; and if you find yourself in this situation, hang up and report the scam call to your local law enforcement.
