>>Governor Walz Weighs in on Battle for Control of Minnesota House
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz is weighing in on the battle over control of the Minnesota House. The Republicans used their temporary one-vote majority to swear in members and elect a House speaker with no Democrats present. Walz says, “this is a short-term issue that will be corrected on the 29th.” That is the day after a special election in District 40-B which is expected to be won by the D-F-L candidate and would return to the House to a 67-67 tie. The governor added, “trying to use this vacancy to create a two-year majority that doesn’t exist is not the way to go about it.” House Democrats have boycotted the first three days of the session and filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court.
>>MN Bar Association Opposes Expanding Sales Tax to Legal Services
(Minneapolis, MN) — Minnesota lawyers and the legal community are speaking out against Governor Walz’s proposed sales tax on their services. A statement from the Minnesota Bar Associations says, “Minnesotans often need to hire lawyers when they are vulnerable and suffering, including situations involving bankruptcy, eviction, foreclosure, child custody, criminal accusations, personal injury, and domestic violence. ” The governor’s budget proposal would extend the state’s sales tax to legal, accounting, trust, and other financial services.
>>Attorney General Ellison Suing Vape Company for Marketing E-Cigarettes to Children
(St. Paul, MN) — Attorney General Keith Ellison is suing High Light Vapes for violating state laws against deceptive tobacco marketing, marketing to children, and consumer fraud. The A-G’s office says the company makes e-cigarette products that mimic highlighter pens and are designed to be easily concealable and usable by school-age children. The vapes also come in a variety of fruity, minty, or dessert flavors. Ellison said in a statement, “I will not allow any corporation to illegally manufacture, market, and sell dangerous and addictive e-cigarette products to Minnesota youth.”
>>Flu-Related Deaths and Hospitalizations Keep Rising in Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) — Flu-related deaths and hospitalizations in Minnesota continue to rise. The state Department of Health reported 27 more deaths the week ending January 11th, increasing the total to 50 this flu season. Influenza complications sent 742 people to the hospital last week. There were ten flu outbreaks in public schools and 14 in long-term care facilities. Health officials say it’s never too late to get vaccinated. Wisconsin reported its first pediatric flu death Thursday. No children have died from influenza in Minnesota this season.
>>Minnesota Seeing Big Uptick in Norovirus Cases
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota is experiencing a significant rise in norovirus cases this winter. The state Department of Health reported 76 outbreaks last month, affecting over 1,500 people. This number is more than double the usual cases reported. So far this month, there have been 26 additional outbreaks. Health officials remind anyone experiencing norovirus symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhea, to avoid contact with others, as the illness is highly contagious.
>>Burnsville Fire, Ambulances First in Minnesota to Carry Whole Blood
(Burnsville, MN) — Burnsville ambulances are Minnesota’s first to be equipped with whole-blood products for patients with extreme blood loss. Fire Chief B-J Jungmann says they’ve been working on this for four years, and the launch timing just felt right. Jungmann said, “We’re still in the year of memory, kind of marked by loss. But as we work toward 2025, really healing and light became a commitment in the strength of our community and our support to do this.” Burnsville lost three first responders in a domestic shooting last February. Jungmann encourages others who want to get involved in the project’s success to donate blood. January is critical as donations drop during the winter.
>>Bitter Cold Arrives in Minnesota This Weekend, Below Zero Temps for 3 Days
(Chanhassen, MN) — The entire state of Minnesota is heading into the deep freeze this weekend. National Weather Service Meteorologist Joe Calderon says it will be dangerously cold for several days in a row. He says Saturday night all the way through Tuesday morning we’re looking at temperatures below zero to well below zero. Temps without windchill on those mornings will be minus 15 to minus 25. Calderon says extreme cold watches and warnings will likely be issued during this cold snap.
>>Minnesota DNR Urging Snowmobile Safety
(St. Paul, MN) –Although there is currently a lack of snow across most of Minnesota, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds snowmobilers to take precautions ahead of the long holiday weekend. Riders have been active on lakes and in ditches instead of the trails. Conservation officers advise exercising caution on the ice, especially this year when pressure ridges have been common Additionally, riders should monitor their speed and stay to the right when using trails or riding in ditches. They say speed and alcohol are the two leading factors in fatal snowmobile accidents.
>>Operations at Ardent Mills in Mankato Come to An End
(Mankato, MN) — A mill that has been operating in southern Minnesota for over 100 years is officially closed. The Ardent Mills facility in Mankato shut its doors for good on Wednesday. The company had announced the closure in November, which will impact nearly four dozen employees. Ardent Mills is currently collaborating with the City of Mankato to explore potential future uses for the site.
>>Garcia, Gopher Men’s Basketball Upsets #20 Michigan in OT
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Golden Gopher men’s basketball team upset number 20 Michigan 84-81 in overtime Thursday night at Williams Arena. Dawson Garcia hit the game-winning, three-pointer from just inside midcourt at the buzzer. The Wolverines had just tied the game with seven seconds remaining in O-T. This is Minnesota’s first Big Ten victory of the season. The Gophers play the Hawkeyes Tuesday in Iowa City.