>>DFL Senator Klein to Introduce Sports Wagering Legislation

(St. Paul, MN) — D-F-L Senator Matt Klein of Mendota Heights is introducing legislation today (Thurs) that would allow and regulate sports wagering in Minnesota.   Klein says his bill unites key stakeholders including all 11 tribal nations, the state’s two horse racing tracks, professional sports teams, bipartisan legislators, and public support.   It has protections against problem and underage gambling and prohibits ads that target minors.   Republican Senator Jeremy Miller of Winona is also sponsoring a sports betting bill that puts a 20-percent tax on license holders and is expected to generate 80 million dollars a year.

 

>>Stalemate in Minnesota House Over Power Sharing Agreement Continues

(St. Paul, MN) — The stalemate over the power sharing agreement in the Minnesota House enters another day.   The only wrinkle Wednesday seemed to be the silence between the two sides.   Republican leader Lisa Demuth says she had no discussions with D-F-L leader Melissa Hortman.   Demuth did issue an invitation to any Democrat who would like to join the Republicans on the House floor.   Democratic leaders did not talk to Capitol reporters yesterday.   The G-O-P has a temporary 67-66 majority in the House, but the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that does not constitute a quorum needed to conduct official business.

 

>>Rochester Restaurant Owner Pleads Guilty in Feeding our Future Fraud Scheme

(Minneapolis, MN) — A Rochester man is latest defendant to plead guilty to federal wire fraud and money laundering charges in the 250-million-dollar Feeding our Future fraud scheme.   Prosecutors say 37-year-old Sharmake Jama knowingly defrauded a federal child nutrition program for 4.3 million dollars from October 2020 through January 2022.   Jama claimed his Brava Restaurant served more than 1.7 million meals in the Rochester area which was substantially higher than the actual number of meals served.   Jama admitted that he and other co-defendants intentionally submitted inflated meal counts.   He used the money to purchase vehicles and property in Rochester and Rosemount.

 

>>Musk Might Sue Governor Walz Over Nazi Salute Claim

(St. Paul, MN) — Elon Musk may be contemplating a lawsuit against Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.   The billionaire businessman was giving a speech during President Trump’s inauguration celebration earlier this month when he made a gesture that was later compared to a Nazi salute.   Walz appeared on MSNBC Tuesday night and expressed his firm belief that Musk did indeed make a Nazi salute.   In response to Walz’s comment, Musk mentioned in a social media post that he might sue.   He also referred to the governor as “creepy” and added a clown emoji to his statement.

 

>>6.9 Percent Increase in Passengers at MSP Airport in 2024

(Minneapolis, MN) — Passenger numbers are up for the fourth straight year at Minneapolis-St.Paul International Airport.   M-S-P’s Jeff Lea (lee) says more than 37 million passengers passed through the gates in 2024, which is a seven percent increase from 2023.   He says three-and-a-half million international travelers used M-S-P, which is nearly a 20-percent increase from 2023.   Terminal 2 saw 12 percent more passengers last year.

 

>>Minnesota Gets A’s, B an F’s in American Lung Association Report

(Duluth, MN) — The American Lung Association is out with its annual “State of Tobacco Control” report.   Minnesota spokeswoman Pat McKone says our smoke-free air law gets an “A,” and our access to services that help people stop smoking also gets an “A,” and the tobacco tax received a “B.”   Minnesota received failing grades for funding state tobacco prevention programs, and ending the sale of all flavored tobacco products.

 

>>Man Pleads Guilty in Fatal 2023 Nudieland Shooting in Minneapolis

(Minneapolis, MN) — One of the men charged in the 2023 Nudieland shooting in Minneapolis is pleading guilty.   The shooting at an LGBTQ+ house music venue killed 35-year-old Nicholas “August” Golden and injured six others.   Dominic Burris, now 18 years old, pleaded guilty to two counts of aiding and abetting second-degree intentional murder and first-degree assault.   He will face over 23 years in prison bars.   The other suspect, 18-year-old Cyrell Boyd, accepted a plea deal in November, keeping him out of jail.   Burris will be sentenced on March 24th.

 

>>MN BCA Searches for Missing Brooklyn Center Teen

(Brooklyn Center, MN) — The Minnesota B-C-A is looking for an endangered, missing teen.   Agents say 17-year-old Rosa Tinklenberg ran away from a Brooklyn Center shelter on January 2nd.   She messaged her social worker the same day, saying she was at the Minneapolis Central Library and would be going to a friend’s home.   Rosa is believed to be homeless in the metro area.   She’s described as Native American, 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighs around 175 pounds and has pink hair and brown eyes.   Rosa has a tattoo of a heart above her cheek and a rose above the opposite eyebrow.

 

>>St. Cloud Police Search for Runaway Teen

(St. Cloud, MN) — Police in St. Cloud are searching for a runaway teenager.   Seventeen-year-old Sulaih Netzer ran away from home on December 11th, 2024.  Officers say she’s Black, 5 feet 4 inches tall, aroudn120 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.   Sulaih was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, black leggings, and white and blue Nike Air Max shoes.   It’s unknown where she would be staying as she recently moved to the area.

 

>>Report Indicates Painting Bought at MN Yard Sale Could be a Van Gogh

(New York, NY) — A group of experts believes that a painting purchased at a Minnesota yard sale several years ago may be the work of Vincent van Gogh.   According to Art-News.com, a panel of about 20 experts examined the painting, comparing it to other works by van Gogh and testing the canvas and paint.   They now believe that the painting was created between 1889 and 1890 while the famous artist was staying at a mental institution in France.   The painting was bought for approximately $50 at the yard sale, but the experts estimate its worth could be as much as $15 million.

 

>>Timberwolves Beat Suns in Phoenix for 4th Straight Victory

(Phoenix, AZ) — The Minnesota Timberwolves are on a four-game win streak following a 121-113 victory over the Suns Wednesday night in Phoenix.   Anthony Edwards scored 33 points, Julius Randle added 28, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker finished with 23 points.   The Wolves rallied back from a 12-point deficit and coach Chris Finch was ejected in the second half for arguing with officials.   Minnesota plays the Utah Jazz tonight (Thurs 8pm) in Salt Lake City.

 

 

 

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