>>WCCO Analyst Reports Governor Walz Could End Bid for Re-Election
(St. Paul, MN) — One political analyst in Minnesota is reporting Governor Tim Walz could end his bid for a third term. W-C-C-O Radio’s Blois Olson says he learned Walz will likely drop out of the governor’s race today (Mon). His office says Governor Walz is holding a media availability at 11 a-m to take questions and discuss news of the day. Olson says Walz met with U-S Senator Amy Klobuchar about his political future. Republicans and the White House have been blaming Walz for the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme and other fraud in Medicaid and Department of Human services programs.
>>Partisan Support for Trump’s Invasion of Venezuela from Minnesota Delegation
(Undated) — Minnesota Republicans are cheering the U-S attacks on Venezuela and the removal of its president and his wife. Congressman Tom Emmer said on social media, “The President of Peace, Donald J. Trump, has just made the United States, the region, and the world a safer place through his decisive action.” Representative Brad Finstad posted, “Maduro’s drug trafficking networks have fueled violence across our hemisphere and are responsible for the deaths of thousands of Americans.” U-S Senator Amy Klobuchar says she strongly opposed sending American forces into harm’s way in Venezuela without authorization from Congress. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar called Trump’s invasion of Venezuela, “blatantly illegal” and “unconstitutional.”
>>$12 Billion Farm Package Won’t Cover Minnesota Soybean Losses
(Thief River Falls, MN) — Struggling producers in the state will receive payments in late February from the U-S-D-A’s 12-billlion-dollar Farmer Bridge Assistance Program. Minnesota Soybean Growers Association secretary Kyle Jore of Thief River Falls says many farmers sold at record-low prices. He says, “they experienced a much significant, greater loss than that payment would cover. So, we’re by no means put back on par. Does it help. Yeah, it helps.” Jore says soybean farmers were hit hard by the Chinese purchase disruption. The F-B-A payment limit is 155 thousand dollars.
>>Inauguration Day for Minneapolis Mayor, City Council
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minneapolis city government promises a “new era” with today’s (Mon) inauguration of Mayor Jacob Frey for his third term and all 13 City Council members. The ceremony starts at 11 a-m at the Pantages Theatre and will also include oaths for two people on the Board of Estimate and Taxation and nine for the Parks and Recreation Board. The new term officially kicks off at the 2 p-m organizational meeting to elect leadership and set committee structures.
>>Another GOP Candidate Announces Run for Secretary of State
(Oronoco, MN) — Another Republican candidate is jumping into the race for the Minnesota Secretary of State’s position. Longtime business owner and advocate Wendy Phillips of Oronoco says she will seek the Republican endorsement for the state’s top election official. Phillips says her platform will include pushing for voter identification, cleaning the voter rolls, and shutting down businesses that are ripping off taxpayers. Phillips will run against Tad Jude for the Republican nomination. Current Secretary of State Steve Simon is seeking his fourth term next year.
>>Authorities ID Drivers Killed in Stearns County Head-on Collision
(Elrosa, MN) — The Minnesota State Patrol is identifying the two drivers killed in a crash Friday in Stearns County near Elrosa. The report says an S-U-V driven by 55-year-old Paul Matthys of Osakis collided head-on with a vehicle driven by 63-year-old Linda Erickson of Sauk Centre at an intersection on Highway 71. Troopers say Matthys and Erickson both died at the scene. The roadway was dry at the time.
>>Woman Killed in Hopkins Shooting on Saturday
(Hopkins, MN) — Police in the Minneapolis suburb of Hopkins are investigating a deadly weekend shooting. Officers say they located a woman with a gunshot wound Saturday afternoon and she died of her injuries. Investigators say a male suspect was taken into custody and is there no threat to the community. The victim’s identity has not been released.
>>Northstar Commuter Trains End Service After 16 Years
(St. Paul, MN) — Monday morning commuters in the north metro will have to rely on bus service for the first time in 16 years. The Northstar Commuter Trains made their final runs Sunday following the Vikings-Packers game. Last summer, Metro Transit announced the trains would stop running due to low ridership. Before the pandemic, the Northstar had nearly 3,000 weekday riders. In 2024, the numbers dropped to around 400 riders. A new enhanced bus service starts today (Monday) covering Coon Rapids, Fridley, Anoka, and Elk River.
>>Vikings Beat Packers in Regular Season Finale for 5th Straight Win
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Vikings beat the Packers 16-3 Sunday for their fifth straight win and finish the season 9-8. Quarterback J-J McCarthy threw for 182 yards before leaving in the third quarter with a sore hand. Jefferson caught eight passes for 101 yards and became the third receiver in N-F-L history to start his career with six straight one-thousand-yard seasons. C-J Ham had a rushing touchdown in possibly his last game in Purple. Harrison Smith also played what many believe is the final game of his 14-year career. The Vikings will pick 18th in the 2026 N-F-L Draft.
>>Wolves Roll Over Wizards in Washington DC
(Washington, DC) — The Minnesota Timberwolves routed the Wizards 141-115 Sunday in Washington, DC. The Wolves scored 72 points in the first half and built a 37-point lead. Anthony Edwards had 35 points, Julius Randle added 22, and Rudy Gobert finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Minnesota improved to 23-13 and is back home tomorrow to host the Heat. The Wolves beat Miami 125-115 Saturday night in South Florida.
