>>Fraud Concerns Emerge in Minnesota’s New Paid Leave Program
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota’s new Paid Leave program opened for applications just days ago, and already, concerns about fraud are surfacing. Republican House Fraud Prevention Chair Kristin Robbins tells MNN that she has received whistleblower reports since the program launched. “I’m very concerned that DHS does not have adequate safeguards in place. I’ve already had whistleblower reports, and the program is less than a week old, talking about how people are trying to skim the system,” Robbins said. The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) acknowledges the risk but says protections are in place. Deputy Commissioner Evan Rowe says they’re confident in their approach. “We’ve found that people, process, and technology are reinforcing each other, helping us ensure this program runs with the high level of integrity Minnesotans expect,” Rowe said. He adds that the first payments go out today and, so far, no fraud has penetrated the system.
>>Noem: More Federal Agents Headed to Minnesota
(Washington, D.C.) — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says hundreds of additional federal agents are being deployed to Minnesota following a weekend of nationwide protests over a deadly ICE shooting in Minneapolis. Noem said the reinforcements will help ensure ICE and Border Patrol officers can continue operations safely in the Twin Cities. She made the remarks during appearances on Sunday news talk shows. The secretary also criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, accusing them of “inflaming” public tensions after the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good. Noem claimed the two leaders have politicized the incident and spoken about it inappropriately.
>>Osterholm Warns Against Ignoring Child Vaccinations
(St. Paul, MN) — The University of Minnesota’s Dr. Michael Osterholm is urging parents to disregard the CDC’s new recommendations that remove six childhood vaccines from its list, calling the move “dangerous.” “All of the actions that the federal government has taken over the past nine to ten months are surely going to lead us to an increased number of cases of vaccine-preventable diseases, and with that, there’ll be new deaths. And that is a real tragedy right now because these are really preventable,” Osterholm emphasized that the public should consult their health care providers rather than follow the new federal guidelines, which he says are driven by politics, not science. Among the vaccines no longer recommended for children are those for influenza and hepatitis. Osterholm warns that rolling back these protections could lead to outbreaks and unnecessary fatalities.
>>Homicide Suspect Arrested After High-Speed Chase in Duluth
(Duluth, MN) — A Ramsey County homicide suspect was taken into custody Saturday morning after a pursuit that began in Duluth’s Lakeside neighborhood and ended with a crash north of the city. According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, deputies received information around 8:30 a.m. about a suspect possibly driving a stolen vehicle toward Lake County. Approximately 30 minutes later, deputies located the vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The driver fled and eventually crashed. The suspect fled on foot but was quickly apprehended by law enforcement. One deputy sustained minor injuries in a collision during the pursuit and was treated and released. The suspect is now in the custody of St. Anthony Police in Ramsey County.
>>Deadly Rochester House Fire Under Investigation
(Rochester, MN) — Officials continue to investigate a house fire in Rochester on Friday night that left two people dead. The Rochester Fire Department says crews battled flames from inside and outside the house. Firefighters found two adult victims in the garage during a search. First responders tried to save them, but they both died at the scene. The Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner’s Office is working to determine their cause of the death. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is helping local investigators determine the cause.
>>Minnesota’s Sun Country Airlines Being Acquired by Allegiant in $1.5B Deal
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota’s Sun Country Airlines is being acquired by Allegiant in a one-point-five-billion-dollar deal. On Sunday, Allegiant announced the deal and a pledge to maintain a significant presence at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. CEOs of both companies said the acquisition would ultimately benefit air travelers and Minnesota. If approved by regulators and investors, the Twin Cities will be without a scheduled service commercial airline for the first time since the Great Depression.
>>Man Arrested for Vandalism to Minneapolis Businesses’
(Minneapolis, MN) — Minneapolis Police arrested a man Saturday night after he allegedly spray-painted multiple businesses along Lake Street. Officers spotted the suspect tagging a Metro Transit bus during a march around 7 p.m. and later saw him vandalizing a theater, church, school building, healthcare facility, and Target. Officers tracked him using camera monitors and arrested him after a brief foot chase. Police say the damage impacts the heart of Minneapolis’ immigrant community. 24-year-old Francis Steinhauer was booked into Hennepin County Jail for property damage.
>>MN Frost Crush WA Torrent, Move Into Second Place
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Frost lit up the scoreboard Sunday, beating the Seattle Torrent 6 to 2 at Grand Casino Arena. Grace Zumwinkle and Katy Knoll each scored twice, while Taylor Heise and Sidney Morin added three points apiece. Minnesota outshot Seattle 45 to 26 and became the first team this season to score six goals in a game. Maddie Rooney made 24 saves for the Frost, who now sit in second place in the P-W-H-L standings with 19 points. Minnesota hits the road Friday to face the New York Sirens.
>>Wolves, Edwards Rally Past Spurs at Target Center
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Timberwolves rallied past the San Antonio Spurs 104-103 Sunday at Target Center. The Wolves trailed 69-50 in the third quarter before storming back to tie it. Anthony Edwards hit the go-ahead basket with 16 seconds remaining and finished with 23 points. Donte DiVincenzo had 19, Naz Reid scored 17 points, and Julius Randle added 15. Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 29. Minnesota plays Tuesday night in Milwaukee.
