>>Governor Walz to Answer Questions on Decision Not to Run for Third Term
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is expected to talk more about his political future today (Tues). Walz read a prepared statement about his decision not to seek a third term on Monday at the State Capitol. The governor said he would answer questions at today’s news conference on Paid Leave. Small business owners will join Walz to talk about the rollout of the program.
>>Lt. Governor Flanagan Not Interested in Governor Walz’s Job
(Osseo, MN) — Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan is bringing her U-S Senate tour to 38 Minnesota cities before the February 3rd precinct caucuses. Flanagan said during a stop in Osseo Monday night that she’s not interested in Governor Tim Walz’s job. She says she’s very focused on running for the U-S Senate and has been on the campaign trail for almost a year building a statewide coalition. Flanagan got emotional talking about the governor ending his bid for a third term. She teared up while saying, “I am so grateful to Governor Walz,” and received a round of applause.
>>Wisconsin’s Governor Reacts to Walz Not Seeking Re-election
(Madison, WI) — Wisconsin Democratic Governor Tony Evers is reacting to Governor Tim Walz end his bid for a third term. Walz announced Monday he won’t seek reelection after initially entering the race. His administration has been under scrutiny by the Trump administration’s Department of Justice for how it’s handled fraud in multiple state departments. Evers says Walz has always been a good friend and neighbor and he looks forward to working with him over the coming months to get things done for the people of their states.
>>Homeland Security Deploying More ICE Agents, Investigators to Minnesota
(Minneapolis, MN) — More than two thousand federal agents are being deployed to Minnesota as part of the Trump administration’s illegal immigration crackdown. The surge includes around 15-hundred ICE agents and 600 Homeland Security Investigators. The move comes after a You Tube video alleging fraud in Twin Cities Somali child care centers. Local officials say the vast majority of Somalis in Minnesota are citizens.
>>Lakeville Hotel Cancels ICE Reservations
(Lakeville, MN) — The U-S Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says a Hampton Inn in Lakeville canceled reservations for ICE agents. D-H-S says ICE officers booked rooms using official government emails and rates, but the hotel later refused to allow agents to stay. Screenshots show emails from the property citing an influx of government reservations linked to D-H-S. Hilton Worldwide says the hotel is independently owned and is investigating, adding that its properties aim to remain open and welcoming to all.
>>One Dead, One Hurt in Wadena County Crash
(Wadena County, MN) — The Minnesota State Patrol says one person is dead and another injured in a car-pickup collision Monday morning in Wadena County. Investigators say an 87-year-old Sebeka man driving a car veered into the northbound lane of Highway 71 and hit a pickup. The car’s driver died at the scene. The 60-year-old pickup driver from Hewitt was hurt. Conditions were snowy and icy at the time of the crash.
>>Ex-Iron Range Teacher Sentenced to 18 Years for Sexually Abusing Minor
(Virginia, MN) — The sentence is 18 years in prison for a former Iron Range teacher who pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a child. St. Louis County prosecutors say 44-year-old Ryan Denzer-Johnson of Embarrass received the maximum sentence under state guidelines. Denzer-Johnson admitted in November to sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl between March of 2023 and July 2024. He used to teach at Mesabi East High School.
>>Little Falls Manufacturing Facility to Close, Eliminating 50 Jobs
(Little Falls, MN) — Wabash National’s manufacturing facility in Little Falls will shut down on April 17th, resulting in the loss of more than 50 jobs. Positions affected include assemblers, machine operators, laminators, production coordinators, welders, and a human resources manager. Wabash National, a leading manufacturer in the transportation and logistics industry, began producing semi-trailers and has since expanded into products such as refrigerated vans.
>>Minnesota Wild Lose Second Straight Game at LA Kings
(Los Angeles, CA) — The Minnesota Wild are on a two-game losing streak to the L-A Kings. The Wild fell to the Kings 4-2 Monday night at Crypto-dot-com Arena. Jared Spurgeon and Ryan Hartman scored for Minnesota and Filip Gustavsson made 29 saves. L-A beat the Wild 5-4 in a shootout on Saturday night. The team wraps up its seven-game road trip Thursday night in Seattle.
