>>Housing Advocates Rallying at Minnesota State Capitol
(St. Paul, MN) — Hundreds of Minnesotans are gathering at the State Capitol this morning (Tues ) for the annual Start with Home Rally. Elizabeth Glidden of the Minnesota Housing Partnership says they’re calling on lawmakers to prioritize investments in housing. She says, “we know this is a tough budget year, but it’s also a tough budget year for those who need housing and housing supports throughout the state of Minnesota.” Glidden says the state made important investments in public housing and workforce housing last session and needs to build on those programs this year.
>>Dozens of Minnesota School Districts Closed Due to Extreme Cold
(St. Paul, MN) — Due to frigid temperatures, dozens of Minnesota school districts are canceling or delaying classes today (Tues), while others are implementing an e-learning day. Most of the state is under an extreme cold warning this morning with temperatures below zero statewide. Temps are expected to improve heading into Wednesday.
>>Health Officials Recommend Dressing Properly to Avoid Frostbite in Minnesota
(St. Cloud, MN) — Health experts are reminding Minnesotans to dress properly if you’re heading out into the extreme cold. Jason McDonald with CentraCare says when wind chills get to be 30 or 40 degrees below zero, frostbite can set in as quickly as 10 to 12 minutes. He recommends wearing insulated gloves, a hat, and boots and to cover up as much skin as possible. You should see a doctor right away if you start to experience swelling or blisters.
>>No Charges for Crookston Police Officer Who Killed Suspect
(Crookston, MN) — A Crookston police officer will not face charges for the shooting death of a homeless man last summer. The Crow Wing County Attorney’s Office determined that Officer Nick Fladland was justified in using deadly force against 44-year-old Christopher Junkin. Junkin was shot and killed by Officer Fladland on June 30th at the Care and Share homeless shelter in Crookston. Investigators say officers tried using non-lethal force to stop Junkin from advancing toward them, and Fladland fired his handgun when those efforts failed. Prosecutors say Fladland was justified because the officers were at risk of suffering “great bodily harm.”
>>2 People Seriously Hurt in Washington County Police Chase and Crash
(Maplewood, MN) — Two people are seriously injured after a police chase and crash that started in Maplewood and ended in St. Paul. A Washington County sheriff’s sergeant pulled over a car Monday and the driver provided a fake name before it was learned he was wanted on felony warrants. Officers say the man refused to get out of his vehicle and sped off while a deputy was standing by an open car door. The suspect led deputies on a chase and later crashed into another vehicle in St. Paul. The suspect and driver of the other car were taken to the hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.
>>Thousands of Chickens Perish in Wright County Egg Barn Fire
(Howard Lake, MN) — Tens of thousands of chickens are dead following a fire at a commercial egg production farm near Howard Lake on Monday morning. The Wright County Sheriff’s Office says seven fire departments were dispatched to Forsman Farms. The fire was contained to one of the five barns on the property. No injuries were reported. This same farm experienced a massive fire in May 2022, which resulted in the death of an estimated 200 thousand chickens.
>>Superior National Forest to Begin Accepting BWCA Permit Applications
(Duluth, MN) — Minnesotans looking to visit the Boundary Waters Canoe Area this year should prepare to apply for permits. The Superior National Forest will start accepting permit applications next Wednesday. Officials advise that applicants should only request dates they are certain they can use, allowing others a fair opportunity to secure a permit. Applications will be accepted online and over the phone.
>>Twins Winter Caravan Kicks Off Today
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Twins are beginning their annual Winter Caravan today (Tues). Twins’ players, staff, and broadcasters will participate in the caravan, which consists of three segments. Leg One has stops in Rochester; La Crosse, Wisconsin and Welch. Leg Two heads to Willmar and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. There are more details about the Winter Caravan on the Twins’ website.
>>Minnesota Wild Skate Past Avs in Colorado on MLK Day
(Denver, CO) — The Minnesota Wild snapped a three-game skid with a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche in a Martin Luther King Day matinee in Denver. Yakov Trenin and Brock Faber scored early in the third period to put Minnesota ahead. Jake Middleton had a first-period goal and Marc Andre Fleury made 26 saves for the win. The Wild return to the Xcel Energy Thursday night to face the Utah Hockey Club.