>>Governor Walz to Announce A-I Fraud Detection Package, Create BCA Fraud Unit
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz plans to announce a new legislative package later this morning (Fri) aimed at stopping fraud in state government. The governor’s proposal will use artificial intelligence to enhance fraud detection and create tighter controls on spending. His office says Walz will also sign an executive order creating a state fraud investigations unit within the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
>>Scott County Election Officials Deny Duplicate Votes Claim in House 54 A Race
(Shakopee, MN) — Election officials in Scott County say no one voted more than once in the Minnesota House District 54-A election in the Shakopee area. Two Republican lawmakers claimed that 30 people cast duplicate votes in the race D-F-L Representative Brad Tabke won by 14 votes. Scott County election manager Julie Hanson said that elections staff checked the alleged discrepancies and can verify that there was only one vote per person. Republican candidate Aaron Paul filed a lawsuit challenging the election results because 21 absentee ballots were unaccounted for and likely thrown out.
>>Crosslake to Host 2025 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz says the 77th Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener will be held in Crosslake on May 9th and 10th, 2025. This marks the first time the event will take place in the Crosslake area, which is home to the 14 interconnected lakes of the Whitefish Chain. The Governor’s Fishing Opener has been a cherished tradition in Minnesota since 1948.
>>Minnesota Department of Health Reports 6 More Flu-Related Deaths
(St. Paul, MN) — The latest data from the Minnesota Department of Health show there were six flu-related deaths the last week in December. M-D-H Epidemiologist Melissa McMahon says the “flu season definitely has arrived” after a fairly slow start. She says they see a lot of activity pick up during and after the holidays. McMahon expects the increased flu activity is expected to continue for the next couple weeks. Influenza is blamed for nine deaths this season. She says it’s not too late to get the flu shot.
>>Wastewater Surveillance Show Increases in COVID-19 Cases in Minnesota
(Minneapolis, MN) — COVID-19 cases are rising in Minnesota. The U-of-M’s “Minnesota Wastewater Surveillance Study” tracks pathogens and viruses present in wastewater from treatment plants throughout the state. During the week leading up to Christmas, COVID-19 was detected in wastewater at a rate 26.4% higher than the previous week, and 39.6% higher over the two weeks before Christmas. Virus levels have not been this high since September. Health officials say COVID hospitalizations are at their highest since early October.
>>Feds Give Monticello Nuclear Plant 20-Year Extension of Operating License
(Monticello, MN) — The U-S Nuclear Regulatory Commission is extending the operating license of the Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant for an additional 20 years. Xcel Energy regional president Ryan Long says this is a “big deal.” He says as they transition away from coal and continue to invest in renewables, nuclear is going to be the new backbone of the system. Long says the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission already approved extending operations at Monticello through 2040 and they will ask the P-U-C for another ten years.
>>Bois Forte Band of Chippewa Chair Chavers Announces Retirement
(Nett Lake, MN) — Cathy Chavers, the chair of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, plans to resign at the end of the month. She expressed her desire to retire to take some time for self-care. After nearly 50 years of service to the tribe, Chavers cited the demands of tribal government and politics as having taken a toll on her mental health. Her last day in office will be January 31st.
>>Authorities ID Man Who Died in Fall from Mankato Parking Ramp
(Mankato, MN) — The Mankato Department of Public Safety is identifying the man who died in a fall from a downtown parking ramp on New Year’s Day. Officers say they do not suspect foul play in the death of 53-year-old Hans Christian Gunderson. Police received a report of a person possibly falling from the Civic Center ramp around 4:15 p-m Wednesday. First responders say Gunderson was dead when they arrived a few minutes later. The incident is still under investigation.
>>Maplewood Man Pleads Guilty to Dismembering Ex-Girlfriends, Storing Remains
(St. Paul, MN) — A Maplewood man is pleading guilty to killing and dismembering two women and then hiding their remains in separate storage units. Joseph Jorgenson pleaded guilty Thursday to two counts of second-degree murder in Ramsey County. Investigators say Jorgenson killed then girlfriend Manijeh Starren in 2023, taking her remains to a storage unit in Woodbury. That led to the discovery of a second storage unit in Coon Rapids with the remains of Fanta Xayavong, who also dated Jorgenson and disappeared in 2021. His sentencing hearing is set for February 28th.
>>Minnesota Wild Win Shootout at Washington Capitals
(Washington, DC) — The Minnesota Wild topped the Capitals 4-3 in a shootout Thursday night in Washington, D-C. Marco Rossi scored midway through the third period to force overtime and Matt Boldy netted the lone shootout goal for the victory. Wild goaltender Marc Andre Fleury stopped Alex Ovechkin on the final attempt for Washington. Ryan Hartman had a goal and an assist in Minnesota’s second win in a row. The Wild play the Hurricanes Saturday night in North Carolina.
