>>Ted Mondale to Read Eulogy at President Carter’s Funeral in Washington, DC
(Golden Valley, MN) — The son of former Vice President Walter Mondale will speak Thursday at the funeral for President Jimmy Carter. Ted Mondale says he will deliver a eulogy for President Carter that was written by his father nearly a decade ago. The Carter Center asked Ted to represent the Mondale family at the state funeral. Mondale says the eulogy touches on Carter’s faith, principles and policies, including his dedication to improving human rights and to fight climate change.
>>Judge Approves Media Coverage for Mitchell Burglary Trial
(Detroit Lakes, MN) — A judge in Becker County is granting a request for media coverage of the burglary trial of state Senator Nicole Mitchell of Woodbury. The order issued Monday says audio and video coverage of the trial is appropriate due to Mitchell’s position as an elected official. However, the judge denied requests to broadcast the trial live and instructed media outlets not to show the jury in their coverage. Mitchell was arrested last year for an alleged break-in at her stepmother’s home in Detroit Lakes. The trial is set to begin January 27th.
>>Secretary of State Will Determine if Minnesota House Quorum
(St. Paul, MN) — Secretary of State Steve Simon will determine whether the Minnesota House can swear in its members and elect officers on the first day of the session. Carleton College political analyst Steven Schier says the key question is what constitutes a quorum in the House. He says, “It’s not specified by number in the State Constitution. And how Simon decides the quorum will decide whether the one-seat majority that is temporary can operate in the House without the Democrats being present.” D-F-L leaders have threatened not to show up on day one if Republicans don’t honor the previously agreed to power sharing agreement. The G-O-P will have the majority at least until a January 28th special election in House District 40-B.
>>House GOP Leader Demuth Blasts State Agencies for Not Reporting
(St. Paul, MN) — House G-O-P Leader Lisa Demuth says she’s demanding answers following a Republican request of state agencies to report on costs, remote workers and employee numbers. On December 9th, committee chairs sent a letter to each state agency and commissioner to report back with their numbers. This was following the economic forecast that showed a looming deficit in the state budget by the end of the decade. Demuth set a January 6th for deadline for the information and her office reports not one agency has followed through. Demuth said, “It is deeply concerning that every state agency has refused to provide transparency on critical issues affecting Minnesotans.”
>>Senate Committee Hearing on Legalized Sports Betting Wednesday Morning
(St. Paul, MN) — Online sports betting will take center stage at the Minnesota Capitol this morning (Wed) during a Senate Finance Committee hearing. It will focus on the concerns of addiction and bankruptcy that can happen with legalized sports gambling. Bill author Senator Matt Klein of Mendota Height says sports betting is a lot like cannabis, and it’s better under a watchful eye. After almost crossing the finish line last session, Klein is hopeful it can pass this upcoming session, but he admits opposition from both parties is the hurdle to clear.
>>Home Care Workers to Rally at State Capitol
(St. Paul, MN) — Home care workers with S-E-I-U Healthcare Minnesota and Iowa plan to hold a rally this morning (Wed 10:30am) at the State Capitol Rotunda. The rally comes ahead of a January 10th deadline to reach a tentative agreement with the state of Minnesota. The union representing more than 35-thousand workers is focusing on wages, retirement security and healthcare costs as the top issues to address the workforce shortage. The workers will be joined by people they take care of including seniors and people living with disabilities.
>>State Regulators Pause Gas Pipeline near Pipestone National Monument
(Pipestone, MN) — Minnesota regulators are pausing a gas pipeline near the Pipestone National Monument. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission Tuesday rescinded a permit for the pipeline and ordered cultural and archeological surveys on two potential routes after backlash from tribes who say the area is foundational to their religious beliefs. Back in September, the P-U-C voted 3-2 to approve a 13.1 mile route that was farther from the monument than the pipeline company wanted. The P-U-C’s vote Tuesday to take back the permit was unanimous. The P-U-C could eventually approve one of the two routes after the surveys.
>>Study Finds ATV Riders Contribute $36 Million to Northeast MN Economy
(Duluth, MN) — New research shows A-T-V riders have a significant impact on the local economy in northeastern Minnesota. The study by the University of Minnesota Extension finds riders contributed 36 million dollars in economic activity in St. Louis, Lake, and Koochiching counties in 2023. Lead Researcher Brigid Tuck says, “the influx of visitors who ride and explore the region’s A-T-V trails is helping sustain small businesses and creating jobs.” Hotels, restaurants, gas stations and equipment shops are seeing increases in revenue thanks to the growing number of A-T-V riders.
>>Trial Begins for Ex-Rochester Police Officer Accused of Sexual Assault
(Rochester, MN) — The trial of former Rochester police officer Timothy Morgenstern is underway in Olmsted County. Morgenstern is charged with engaging in a sexual relationship with a minor. In 2022, he worked as a part-time speech coach at John Marshall High School, where the victim was a member of the speech team. He’s accused of using his position of authority to develop an inappropriate relationship with the 16-year-old girl. Morgenstern is on trial for criminal sexual conduct and of using a minor in a sexual performance.
>>Reported Kidnapping in St. Paul Prompts SWAT Response
(St. Paul, MN) — A reported kidnapping in St. Paul turned into a SWAT response resulting in the arrest of three people. Police were called to an east St. Paul home around 2 pm Tuesday. The kidnapping tip was deemed valid, and the SWAT team was called. The three suspects left the home peacefully, and a fourth person, believed to be the victim, was brought to a hospital for treatment. No other information is known.
>>Cooking Advocacy Group Sues MPCA for PFAs Ban
(Undated) –Eight days after Minnesota’s ban on PFAs, also known as forever chemicals, went into effect a cooking advocacy group is suing the M-P-C-A’s commissioner. Cookware Sustainability Alliance says the PFAs used in non-stick cookware are safe for cooking and should not be held to the same standards. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) says they believe the law is legally sound and will protect Minnesotans from adverse health effects.
>>Minnesota Wild Rally Past St. Louis Blues at the X
(Saint Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Wild are on a four-game win streak following a 6-4 comeback victory over the St. Louis Blues Tuesday night in St. Paul. The Wild scored four answered goals after the Blues took a 4-2 lead in the second period. Joel Eriksson Ek, Jake Middleton, Matt Boldy, and Marcus Johansson netted goals during the rally. Minnesota lost defenseman Brock Faber to an upper body injury earlier in the game. The Wild host the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night.
