>>Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments over Control of Minnesota House
(St. Paul, MN) — The state’s Supreme Court could decide whether 67 members is enough for the Minnesota House to conduct official business and elect a speaker. The justices heard oral arguments in a pair of lawsuits Thursday challenging Republicans’ temporary control of the chamber. Democrats argue the Minnesota Constitution designates a quorum as 68 members. GOP leaders claim their one-seat majority empowers them to run the House.
>>Winona Senator Miller Unveils Minnesota Sports Betting Act 3.0
(St. Paul, MN) — State Senator Jeremy Miller is sponsoring a new bill that would legalize gambling on sports in Minnesota. The Winona Republican’s proposal would allow the state’s 11 tribes to have a license for on-site and mobile sports betting and puts a 20-percent tax on license holders which is expected to generate 80 million dollars a year. Fifty percent of sports betting revenue would go to tax relief for charitable gambling, 25 percent would be used to bring major sporting events to Minnesota, 20 percent to enhance horse racing, 2.5 percent for mental health and problem gambling support, and 2.5 percent in grants for youth sports. Miller says the Minnesota Sports Betting Act 3.0 would build on the bipartisan momentum from last session.
>>Ranking Ag Committee Member Craig Continues Push for New Farm Bill
(Washington, DC) — Congresswoman Angie Craig continues to push for a new five-year Farm Bill as the ranking Democrat on the House Ag Committee. Craig told members Thursday she wants to work with the chairman on a bill that keeps farmers farming, and that builds up rural America and that supports those who rely on U-S-D-A programs. She said, “bipartisanship is the only way we get this done.” Craig also warned that proposed cuts to food benefits will jeopardize the bipartisan support it needs to pass. The House Ag committee officially organized Thursday for the new Congress.
>>Department of Heath Releases Study on Long-Term COVID
(St. Paul, MN) — A survey of nearly 1,300 Minnesotans shows almost 40% still deal with the long-term effects of COVID. The Department of Health’s Kate Murray says a few symptoms seemed to be most prevalent in people dealing with long COVID across all groups. She says they include tiredness and fatigue, shortness of breath, brain fog, and cough. Murray says a national survey finds it’s more likely that roughly 8% of Minnesotans have had long COVID, which would be about 365,000 people.
>>UnitedHealth Group Names New CEO to Replace Thompson
(Minnetonka, MN) — UnitedHealthcare has a new C-E-O more than a month after Brian Thompson was shot to death in New York City. Tim Noel was named the new chief executive officer after serving as UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare and Retirement C-E-O. Noel has been with the Minnesota-based health care giant since 2007. Fifty-year-old Thompson was fatally shot on December 4th by 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, who led police on a five-day manhunt and was ultimately arrested in Pennsylvania.
>>Ronald McDonald House Receives $250K From MN Foundation
(Rochester, MN) — A foundation located in southern Minnesota is making a significant contribution to the Ronald McDonald House Charities. The Austin-based Astrup Family Foundation announced a donation of $250,000 to the organization’s Midwest branch yesterday in Rochester. The president of the foundation shared that her mother was a strong supporter of Ronald McDonald House and its mission to assist families receiving medical treatment. Leaders of the Ronald McDonald House described the gift as “transformational” and noted that it is one of the largest individual donations they have ever received.
>>St. Paul Parents Charged with 2nd-Degree Manslaughter in Toddler OD
(St. Paul, MN) — A St. Paul couple faces second-degree manslaughter charges after their one-year-old child died from a fentanyl overdose on Christmas Day. Police were called to the home of Jasmine Ryan and Jeffrey Weidell on a report of an unresponsive toddler exposed to fentanyl. Officers found Weidell giving the child C-P-R, and Ryan said she had given NARCAN before they came. The toddler was brought to Regions Hospital and died due to fentanyl toxicity. Both Weidell and Ryan could face 10 years in prison if convicted.
>>14-Year-old Student Arrested for Making Reported Threat at Brainerd High School
(Brainerd, MN) — Police say a 14-year-old boy from Baxter is in juvenile detention for making a reported threat involving Brainerd High School. Investigators say a threatening video message was posted on social media and sent to large group of students but wasn’t directed toward anyone specific. Officers identified the suspect and took him into custody Thursday morning. The Brainerd Police Department hasn’t found any continued threats to the school, district, or staff. The Crow Wing County attorney will decide whether to file charges.
>>Benson Teacher Sentenced to 9 Years for Molesting Students
(Benson, MN) — A former Swift County teacher is sentenced to nine years in prison for sexually assaulting children. Sixty-two-year-old Roger Ebnet of Benson was arrested after a hidden camera captured him molesting boys who sat in his lap during class on November 30th and December 1st, 2022. Twelve victims abused by Ebnet came forward and gave impact statements before his sentencing Thursday. Ebnet taught at Northside Elementary since 1987. He pleaded guilty to four counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct last October.
>>No Settlement In Petersen Buggy Crash Case, June Trial Likely
(Preston, MN) — A woman accused of causing a buggy crash in southern Minnesota that resulted in the deaths of two children is expected to go to trial in June. A settlement conference for Samantha Petersen was held yesterday in Fillmore County, but no agreement was reached regarding a potential plea deal. Petersen faces over a dozen charges related to the 2023 crash, including criminal vehicular homicide. Additionally, Petersen’s sister, Sarah, is facing charges for allegedly attempting to cover up her identical twin sister’s involvement in the crash.
>>Woman Indicted in MD Crash That Killed Vikings Rookie Jackson
(Upper Marlboro, MD) — A woman is now charged with causing a July crash that killed Minnesota Vikings rookie Khyree Jackson in Maryland. Cori Clingman faces counts of vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence of alcohol related to the crash that killed 24-year-old Jackson and two of his former high school teammates, Isiah Hazel and Anthony Lytton Jr. Clingman could face a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. The Vikings honored Jackson throughout the season on and off the field, and his locker and number 31 jersey were left unused.
>>Bill Would End Daylight Saving Time in North Dakota
(Bismarck, ND) — A new state bill would end Daylight Saving Time in neighboring North Dakota. The proposed legislation would make the entire state exempt from the time change that happens twice a year in most parts of the country. Representative Roger Maki of Watford City said Thursday that he sees “no benefits of changing the clock besides making life miserable for myself.” There was no opposition to the bill, which has not been voted on yet. Clocks will “spring forward” March 9th.