>>Kaohly Her to Be Sworn in as St. Paul’s First Woman & Hmong Mayor
(St.Paul, MN) — Former state Representative Kaohly Her of St. Paul will be sworn in this afternoon (Fri)as mayor of Minnesota’s capital city. Her begins a three-year term after her upset victory over two-term incumbent Mayor Melvin Carter in November. She makes history as St. Paul’s first female and first Hmong American mayor. Her campaigned on speeding up business permitting and licensing and said she’s meeting with local business leaders about investing in the city. She praised outgoing Mayor Carter’s response on immigration and says she will continue building trust between community groups and law enforcement.
>>GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Jensen says Paid Leave Costs Too Much
(Chaska, MN) — Most Minnesota Republicans do not support the state’s new Paid Leave law. G-O-P candidate for governor Scott Jensen says the program costs too much. He says, “I don’t think people realize that in order for that program to be administered the state of Minnesota is hiring approximately 400 full-time employees. That’s all government funded.” Jensen says less than two percent of Minnesota businesses have 400 or more workers. Minnesota workers can take paid leave to be with their baby, recover from an illness and surgery, or care for a loved one.
>>USDA Announces Commodity Payment Rates for Farm Aid Package
(Washington, DC) — The U-S-D-A is announcing the per-acre payment rates for the $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program. Eleven billion dollars is targeted to row crop producers. Eligible corn farmers will receive just over $44 per acre, soybean farmers will receive just over $30 per acre, wheat farmers will receive just over $39 per acre, and sorghum farmers will receive just over $48 per acre. F-B-A payments are based on 2025 planted acres, Economic Research Service cost of production, and the World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimate Report. Minnesota soybean farmers were hit especially hard by tariffs and the trade war with China. Farm payments are expected by the end of February.
>>Number of Abortions Increase 15.5 % in Minnesota in 2024
(St. Paul, MN) — The annual report from the Minnesota Department of Health shows a 15-and-a-half percent increase in abortions in 2024. The number of abortions rose in the state from just over 14 thousand in 2023 to more than 16-thousand-300. That total is the highest in Minnesota since 1990. More than three thousand non-residents came to the state for an abortion. Planned Parenthood performed a record 10-thousand-600 procedures in Minnesota.
>>Flu Cases and Hospitalizations Rising in Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) — Health officials are seeing a rise in flu cases in Minnesota and two dozen other states. The Minnesota Department of Health is reporting nearly two thousand flu-related hospitalizations. There have been 31 influenza outbreaks in long-term care facilities and 176 in schools before the holiday break. The most common strain making Minnesotans sick is influenza type-A H-3-N-2. Doctors are encouraging everyone to get the flu vaccine.
>>Man Dead After Shooting in Wilkin County
(Wolverton, MN) — One man is dead after a shooting near Wolverton along the Minnesota-North Dakota border. The Wilkin County Sheriff’s Office says deputies were called around 12:45 New Year’s morning for a man who had been shot. The victim was found with gunshot wounds and died at the scene. A suspect was arrested and was brought to the Wilkin County Detention Center. Investigators say the suspect and victim knew each other. The Minnesota B-C-A is investigating.
>>Driver of Car Killed in Train Crash in Coon Rapids
(Coon Rapids, MN) — Authorities in Anoka County are investigating deadly New Year’s Day train crash in Coon Rapids. Police say a vehicle with one occupant was hit by a B-N-S-F freight train around 3:35 Thursday afternoon. Officers say the female driver was extricated from the vehicle and taken to the hospital where she died. Officials say the rail crossing has gates, flashing lights and bells. The victim hasn’t been identified.
>>Burnsville Police Investigating Park Trail Assault
(Burnsville, MN) — Burnsville police are investigating an assault reported on a park trail New Year’s Day morning. Officers say a woman was approached from behind by a man who claimed he had a weapon. The suspect is described as a light-skinned Black male in his 30s, about 5-foot-7 inches tall, wearing dark clothing and a gray vest. The victim fought him off and called 9-1-1. Police ask that residents in the 11 Crystal Lake West area review home surveillance footage and report information promptly.
>>Team USA Plays Finland in World Juniors Quarterfinal
(St. Paul, MN) — Team U-S-A hockey takes on Finland later today (Fri 5pm) in the quarterfinals of the World Junior Championship in St. Paul. The Americans lost their final preliminary game to Sweden 6-3 on Wednesday at Grand Casino Arena. The Fins fells to Canada 7-4 on New Year’s Eve on the U of M campus. The Canadians play Slovakia in another quarterfinal at Mariucci Arena tonight (Fri 7:30pm).
