>>Brooklyn Park Councilman Eriksen Announces Run for Hortman’s House Seat
(Brooklyn Park, MN) — A member of the Brooklyn Park City Council plans to run for the seat of the late Minnesota House Speaker Emeritus Melissa Hortman. Councilman Christian Eriksen announced Wednesday that he’s seeking the D-F-L nomination in House District 34-B. Eriksen said on Facebook, ” I know in our communities, this seat will endure as ‘Melissa’s Seat. It is with great respect to her legacy, as well as the legacy of all those whom have served before us, that I run for this office.” Governor Tim Walz says he anticipates calling a special election for Hortman’s seat sometime this fall.
>>House Legislative POCI Caucus Continues to Mourn Hortmans
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota House Legislative People of Color and Indigenous Caucus continues to mourn and honor Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. They issued a statement saying, “We continue to send our thoughts and prayers to the Hortman family and to the Hoffmans as they navigate their healing journey.” The statement goes on to say that Hortman supported their caucus and ensured that members had a seat at the decision-making table. The caucus includes nearly 20 House members.
>>Anti-Trump Budget Rally Outside Fischbach’s Moorhead Office
(Moorhead, MN) — People rallied against President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” Wednesday afternoon outside Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach’s office in Moorhead. Protesters were chanting, “”health care for all.” They’re asking for a meeting with Fischbach to address the bill’s tax breaks and budget cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs. Rachel Rennicke says, “it affects all citizens in our country to devastating lengths. It’s going to cost lives. “ She says Fischbach’s office has not responded to their request. Fischbach in a statement said the bill, “protects Medicaid for those who need it. Our goal is to cut out the waste, fraud and abuse.”
>>Attorney General Ellison Joins Strike in Stillwater
(Stillwater, MN) – Another political heavyweight will be joining striking health care workers on the picket line in Stillwater. Attorney General Keith Ellison will attend a rally this afternoon (1 pm) with HealthPartners Stillwater Medical Group workers for day three of their strike. The workers called a four-day unfair labor practice strike after negotiations broke down. The two sides remain apart on key issues like wages and benefits for their longtime employees. Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan rallied with striking workers on Wednesday.
>>Essentia Strike Continues in Duluth Area
(Duluth, MN) — On day two of the unfair labor practice strike in Duluth and Superior, nurses and healthcare professionals from all six Essentia Health bargaining units came to the negotiating table Wednesday ready to move talks forward- but they were met with rejection. Essentia Health refused to meet with most bargaining teams, sending them back to the picket lines and choosing to engage only with representatives from the Superior and Third Street Clinic units. Even then, no meaningful negotiations occurred, and no progress was made toward addressing the ongoing unfair labor practices.
>>MNA Strike Expands in Northern Minnesota
(Virginia, MN) – Another health care workers strike begins this morning (Thurs) in northern Minnesota. Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) advanced practice providers (APPs) with Essentia Health will hold a news conference in Virginia to mark the beginning of their unfair labor practice strike. This strike includes more than 400 workers. Earlier this week, nurses, and health care workers with Essentia went on strike in Duluth and Superior.
>>Suspect Shot After Pursuit in Becker and Otter Tail Counties
(Frazee, MN) – Authorities in northwest Minnesota say a domestic assault call Wednesday evening ended in a police shooting in Frazee. Becker County sheriff’s deputies say the suspect assaulted someone and stole a firearm before fleeing in a vehicle. The suspect vehicle was spotted in Detroit Lakes but fled and a pursuit began. Officers confronted the suspect at the Frazee rest stop in Otter Tail County and that’s when police shot him. He was given medical aid and taken to a Detroit Lakes hospital then transferred to Fargo. The suspect’s condition is unknown. All officers were wearing body cameras.
>>Wake and Funeral for Naytahwaush Teen Killed in Fireworks Accident
(Naytahwaush, MN) — An all-night wake service begins later today (Thurs) for the 13-year-old boy killed in a Fourth of July fireworks accident in Mahnomen County. Deputies say Michael Turner III of Naytahwaush (NAY’- tuh-wash) was holding a large firework when it shot through the bottom of a tube and hit him in the chest. The service for Turner begins with a ceremony from 5 to 7 pm and continues until his funeral at 11 am Friday at the Naytahwaush Sports Complex. Turner will be laid to rest tomorrow at St. Anne’s Catholic Cemetery.
>>Nevada Man Pleads Guilty to Voter Registration Fraud in Minnesota
(Minneapolis, MN) — A Nevada man is pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit voter registration fraud in Minnesota. Federal prosecutors say 58-year-old Ronnie Williams admitted to creating fake identities and bogus information on voter registration applications between 2021 and 2022. He submitted the forms to Foundation One, a group working on voter registration efforts in the state. That group then passed the applications along to county election offices across Minnesota. Investigators say Williams was paid for each application he submitted — and shared the money with a co-conspirator.
>>New Scam in St. Louis County
(Duluth, MN) — The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents of a new scam. Law enforcement says numerous citizens have called to say scammers are sending them invoices by email that claim to be from county planning and zoning demanding money. The sheriff’s office has determined these invoices are fraudulent. They remind residents the county will never ask that money be wired, sent via gift cards, or paid in any other unorthodox manner. If you get one of these emails, report it to law enforcement.
>>Minnesota Lynx Fall to Mercury in Phoenix
(Phoenix, AZ) — A rare loss for the Minnesota Lynx Wednesday afternoon in Phoenix. The Lynx fell to 17-and-3 after a 79-71 setback to the 14-and-6 Mercury. Phoenix outscored Minnesota 27-14 in the fourth quarter. Courtney Williams led the Lynx with 21 points and Napheesa Collier added 18. Minnesota plays again this afternoon (Thurs 2pm) at the Los Angeles Sparks.
>>Twins Top Cubs at Target Field, Lose Buxton to Hand Contusion
(Minneapolis, MN) – The Minnesota Twins are celebrating a 4-2 win over the Chicago Cubs Wednesday night at Target Field. Twins starter David Festa allowed two runs over five-and-a-third innings for his third victory of the season. Matt Wallner hit a solo home run for Minnesota. All-Star center fielder Byron Buxton left game with a hand contusion after being hit by a pitch. Twins pitcher Joe Ryan was named to his first All-Star Game and received a load ovation from the home crowd last night. Chris Paddack and the Twins go for a series sweep of the Cubs this afternoon (Thurs).
