>>No New Power Sharing Agreement in Minnesota House
(St. Paul, MN) — There’s still no new power sharing agreement between Republicans and Democrats in the Minnesota House. D-F-L Speaker-designate Melissa Hortman said she was ready to negotiate Friday after the Supreme Court ruled the G-O-P did not have the required 68 members for a quorum. Hortman told reporters, “we can come up with an agreement that respects both sides, comes up with a win-win and gets us all working together back at the Capitol very soon.” House Democrats want Republicans to accept a power sharing agreement and seat Representative Brad Tabke of Shakopee before they end their two-plus week boycott. The G-O-P holds a 67-66 majority pending a special election in the Roseville area.
>>House Fraud Prevention Committee’s First Meeting Canceled
(St. Paul, MN) — A new Minnesota House committee aimed at tackling fraud in the state was scheduled to hold its first meeting this morning (Mon), but that is now canceled. In fact, all House committee hearings have been canceled for the week. We don’t know if it’s connected, but this comes just days after the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in favor of Democrats and said Republicans do not have enough members in the House to conduct business. G-O-P members of the fraud committee are hosting a news conference to talk about the work they plan to do to stop fraud, and release whistleblower complaints received so far.
>>AG Ellison to Announce Major Development in Insulin Manufacturer Lawsuit
(St. Paul, MN) — Attorney General Keith Ellison says he will announce a major development in his lawsuit against the three largest insulin manufacturers today (Mon 10:30 am) at the State Capitol. The A-G’s Office sued the insulin makers in 2018 alleging they deceptively priced their products and required Minnesotans to pay high out-of-pocket costs for the drugs. Nicole Smith-Holt is joining Ellison at the news conference. Her son Alec died of diabetic ketoacidosis after having to ration his insulin due to its 13-hundred-dollar monthly cost.
>>Minnesota Senator Dibble Rips Target for Scaling Back or Ending DEI Initiatives
(Minneapolis, MN) — A Minnesota lawmaker is criticizing Target for rolling back or ending several of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The move came days after President Trump announced he’s ending federal D-E-I initiatives. D-F-L Senator Scott Dibble of Minneapolis says in a statement, “Target has made itself clear. They believe that accommodating President Trump’s politics of cruelty, fear, and resentment is more valuable than the dignity and well-being of many of their customers and employees.” Twin Cities Pride announced this week that it was removing Target as a sponsor of its L-G-B-T-Q-plus festival this summer.
>>Remains of Fallen US Border Patrol Agent Maland Escorted to Funeral Home
(Minneapolis, MN) — The remains of a U-S Border Patrol agent killed in Vermont are now back in his home state of Minnesota. Forty-four-year-old Agent David “Chris” Maland from Blue Earth was fatally shot in an exchange of gunfire during an immigration vehicle inspection near the Canadian border last Monday. The Minneapolis Police Department joined a procession led by M-S-P Airport police as they escorted Maland to a Twin Cities funeral home on Friday night. There was a procession earlier in the day to the airport in Vermont before Maland’s flight home. A Go Fund Me page for his family has raised 49 thousand dollars of its 65-thousand-dollar goal.
>>Border Patrol Agents Rescue Person Having Diabetic Attack on Lake of the Woods
(Warroad, MN) — The U-S Border Patrol is crediting agents in Warroad for helping rescue an unconscious elderly person on Lake of the Woods. Officials say the person was found January 19th experiencing a severe diabetic emergency. Agents and the Warroad Area Rescue Unit helped provide medical aid and transport. They say the patient made a full recovery due to the rapid treatment and actions of first responders.
>>Minnesota Woman Killed in Skydiving Accident in Arizona
(Eloy, AZ) — A Minnesota woman is the victim of a deadly skydiving accident over the weekend in Arizona. The Eloy Police Department said firefighters and officers were called to ‘Skydive Arizona’ on Friday following the report of a parachutist experiencing complications during descent. First responders located the woman and tried to save her, but she died at the scene. The parachutist was identified as 55-year-old Ann Wick from Stillwater, Minnesota. The F-A-A and local authorities are still investigating the incident. Skydive Arizona bills itself as the largest skydiving center in the world.
>>St. Paul Man Sentenced to 16 Years for Hiding Son’s Murder Victims in Wisconsin
(Menomonie, WI) — A St. Paul man is sentenced to 16 years in a Wisconsin prison for dumping four bodies in Dunn County after their murders in 2021. A jury convicted 59-year-old Darren Osborne in October of helping hide the bodies of four people killed by his son, Antoine Suggs. Investigators said the victims were shot by Suggs in St. Paul and their bodies were found inside an S-U-V in a cornfield in Sheridan, Wisconsin. Suggs is serving 101 years in prison. Osborne will have to serve eight years of extended release when he gets out prison.
>>Essentia Deer River Union Employees End 49-Day Strike
(Deer River, MN) — An almost 50-day unfair labor practice (ULP) strike is over for 70 Essentia Deer River employees in Itasca County. The 49-day strike ended Sunday afternoon for S-E-I-U nursing home and long-term care facility employees with a contract garnering 92% support. Key agreements include 12% across-the-board raises, new language to prevent wage “leap-frogging,” and increased bonuses for workers who return to work with less than 10 hours between shifts. All workers will return this week with the agreement in place.
>>Western Minnesota Man Arrested for Alleged Arson Fire in Fargo Apartment
(Fargo, ND) — A western Minnesota man is jailed in connection with a suspected arson fire in Fargo, North Dakota. Police say 42-year-old Adrian Banks of Wendell was arrested by the Grant County Sherif’s Office on suspicion of arson and burglary. Banks is accused of starting a fire inside an apartment on January 15th in south Fargo. Investigators say security camera footage shows a man breaking into an apartment and pouring accelerant on furniture. No one was hurt in the fire.
>>Brainerd Chosen for Hockey Day Minnesota 2027
(Shakopee, MN) — Following another successful year for Hockey Day Minnesota in Shakopee, organizers say the 2027 event will be held in Brainerd. The host location will be the Brainerd International Raceway. The dates, teams and additional details will be announced later. Next year’s Hockey Day Minnesota will be held in Hastings at the United Heroes League outdoor rink. The 2025 games were played Saturday at Valley Fair amusement park.