>>Governor Walz Not Interested in Running for President
(Undated) — Minnesota Governor Tim Walz says he has no intention of running for president in 2028. In a podcast episode released Thursday, Walz told former D-N-C Chair Jaime Harrison that a White House bid “hasn’t crossed his mind.” Speaking on ‘At Our Table,’ Walz emphasized his focus on strengthening the Democratic Party and supporting its eventual nominee, adding “I’m doing all I can to help build the party and make sure whoever that person is wins.” The 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee hasn’t announced whether he’ll seek a third term as governor next year.
>>Senator Mitchell’s Burglary Trial Continues in Detroit Lakes
(Detroit Lakes, MN) – The burglary trial of state Senator Nicole Mitchell continues this morning (Fri) in Becker County. The D-F-L senator from Woodbury was on the witness stand for nearly five hours on Thursday. Mitchell admitted she lied to police, repeatedly claiming she was there to retrieve her late father’s belongings. She said the real reason she broke into her stepmother’s home last April was to check on her well-being because she suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. Closing arguments are expected today.
>>House Republicans Send Rescission Package to President Trump
(Washington, DC) — A bill that rescinds nine-billion dollars in spending on foreign aid and public broadcasting passed the U-S House and is on its way to President Trump. Minnesota Republican Brad Finstad in a statement said, “I’m proud to vote for this legislation, and I will continue to work in Congress in support of initiatives that let Americans keep more of their hard-earned money.” Finstad called it, “wasteful spending.” Congresswoman Ilhan Omar said, “The fact that Republicans are canceling funds that Congress already approved and were signed into law reaches a new low.” The Minnesota Democrat warns these cuts will mean huge setbacks to address diseases like malaria, T-B, and polio, and that emergency food sites and shelters will be shut down.
>>Morrison Introduces Small Business Legislation
(Washington, DC) — A bill introduced by Congresswoman Kelly Morrison will encourage more small business owners to engage in research and development. Morrison’s hope is that these businesses will get behind American innovation, scientific achievement and entrepreneurship. Her bill is called the Application Assistance Act. This is part of the Small Business Innovation Research program, which has funded more than $160 million dollars for Minnesota small businesses to start and grow since 1982. Morrison says the plan is with this process, more small businesses will benefit.
>>OCM Hosting Another Cannabis Retailer License Lottery Next Tuesday
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management is hosting another retailer license lottery next Tuesday for combined social equity and general applicants. Social equity applicants who were not selected in the June 5th lottery will join general applicants in this round. O-C-M officials will use the same procedures and controls to draw the numbers in this lottery. Some cannabis businesses selected have received their licenses from the state and hope to open this summer or fall.
>>Minnesota Board of Animal Health Wants to Prevent Spread of Screwworm
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Board of Animal Health wants to prevent the New World Screwworm from coming to our state. State Veterinarian Doctor Brian Hoefs says the destructive parasite is in Mexico and can move quickly and unintentionally on animals. He says, “We’re seeing a lot people that bring their dogs with them when they’re headed to a vacation spot in Mexico or other places. And your pets are pets are susceptible to this parasite as well.” Hoefs says New World Screwworm larvae feed on living tissue and are looking for warm-blooded creatures. The U-S-D-A closed imports of cattle and horses from Mexico to stop the spread.
>>Federal Charges Filed in 900 Pound Meth Bust in Twin Cities
(St. Paul, MN) — The two men busted with nearly 900 pounds of methamphetamine in the Twin Cities are now looking at federal charges. Forty-six-year-old Joel Casas-Santiago and 44-year-old Guillermo Mercado-Chaparro face one count each of conspiracy to distribute meth, and Mercado-Chaparro is also charged with illegal re-entry by a removed alien. Authorities say they had more than 250 pounds of meth in a Jeep, and 639 pounds in the bed of a pickup. Investigators believe both men have ties for Mexican drug trafficking organizations.
>>Redwood County Authorities ID Man Killed in Grain Bin Accident
(Milroy, MN) – Authorities are identifying the man killed in a grain bin accident near Milroy in southwestern Minnesota. The Redwood County Sheriff’s Office says first responders were called to the report of a man trapped in grain bin Wednesday morning. Deputies say paramedics tried to save 61-year-old Melvin Welu of Milroy, but he died at the scene. No further information is being released.
>>Minnesota Seeing Drastic Die-off in Bee Population
(Minneapolis, MN) — Minnesota’s bee population has seen a significant die off in recent years, worrying beekeepers and experts alike. U of M Extension Coordinator Rebecca Masterman says in 1988, Minnesota produced over 20 million pounds of honey, but last year they produced less than 7 million. Masterman says there’s great concern that this drastic bee die-off will cause commercial beekeepers to leave the business. Nationwide, between June 2024 and March 2025, commercial beekeepers lost an average of 62% of their colonies, the largest U.S. die-off on record. Minnesota is the nation’s fifth largest honey producer.
>>Former Vikings Defensive End Everson Griffen Removed from Delta Flight
(Chicago, IL) — Delta Air Lines is confirming former Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen was removed from a Wednesday flight departing Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Delta cited its “zero tolerance policy for unruly behavior” as the reason Griffen was kicked off the flight bound for Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. There is video of Griffen being escorted off the plane. Investigators say he reportedly tried to smoke in the bathroom shortly after takeoff, prompting the plane to return to the airport. Griffen has a history of run-ins with police and mental health challenges.
