>>Senate Committee Hearing on Anti-Israel Incidents at University of Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) — There’s an informational hearing in the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee today (Tues 12:30pm) on an alleged pattern of anti-Israel and anti-Jewish incidents at the University of Minnesota. The U of M administration has been criticized for its handling of these incidents and issues related to the Minnesota Human Rights Act, First Amendment freedom of speech protections, academic freedom, and the security of Jewish students and faculty. Interim President Jeff Ettinger, administrators, U of M law professors, student leaders and community members have been invited to testify.
>>Governor Walz Appoints Tribal Leaders to Minnesota Racing Commission
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz’s appointment of tribal leaders of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and Prairie Island Indian Community to the Minnesota Racing Commission, is sparking concerns from the state’s horse-racing tracks. Canterbury Park and Running Aces viewed the tribal leaders’ casino operations as competitors and expressed worries about their lack of horse racing experience and potential conflicts of interest. Despite objections from the tracks, Walz defended the appointments, emphasizing the appointees’ understanding of gambling regulation. This appointment comes amid ongoing debates over sports betting legislation and the role of the Racing Commission in regulating the industry.
>>Klobuchar and Finstad Tour Flooded Minnesota River in Mankato
(Mankato, MN) — U-S Senator Amy Klobuchar Congressman Brad Finstad toured parts of the Minnesota River and addressed the condition of Rapidan Dam during a press conference Monday at Sibley Park in Mankato. Finstad said, “In this day and age of politics that is so poisonous it’s events like this really point us to the American spirit of what it takes to serve each other and to serve one another, and we see it happening on all levels. Klobuchar added, “these rivers don’t divide us. They actually bring us together, and we’re going to beat this. They are asking counties to keep track of flood damage costs. The state could qualify for federal disaster assistance if the damage tops 10-and-a-half-million dollars.
>>North Mankato Issues Flood Emergency Declaration
(North Mankato, MN) — Officials in North Mankato have declared a flood emergency. City crews started building a temporary earth levee early Monday to protect the city from expected flooding from the Blue Earth River. The levee was constructed to a height just above 34 feet, and city staff are keeping an eye on the river level and the status of the Rapidan Dam. The city has not issued any evacuation orders but is urging residents to stay updated through social media and the city’s emergency notification system for further updates.
>>Highway 1 Last State Highway Closed in Northeastern Minnesota
(Duluth, MN) – MnDOT says only one state highway remains closed due to flooding in northeastern Minnesota. Officials say Highway 1 washed out six miles east of Ely and a detour is still in place. There are also two temporary gravel fixes along Highway 1 in St. Louis County. Five state highways were closed in the northeast following heavy rains last Tuesday. Crews have made repairs on Highways 1, 169, 53 and 61.
>>BCA, Minneapolis PD Investigating Body Found in Vehicle in Olmsted County
(Eyota, MN) — The Minnesota B-C-A and Minneapolis Police Department are now investigating the discovery of a body inside a vehicle in Olmsted County. Deputies arrested a 32-year-old woman Saturday after she crashed her car on Interstate 90 and they located the body of a 35-year-old woman in the backseat. Investigators say B-C-A agents did a welfare check on the dead woman’s home in Minneapolis and found a scene indicating violence inside. The victim hasn’t been identified. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Minnesota CrimeStoppers (1-800-222-TIPS or CrimeStoppersMN.org).
>>Woodbury Man Indicted on Federal Charges in Child Sextortion Scheme
(St. Paul, MN) — Federal prosecutors say a Woodbury man has been indicted for producing and possessing child pornography and coercing minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct. Court documents say 37-year-old Timothy Gebhart coerced two minors, a 16- and 14-year-old, to engage in sexual acts to make pornography between July 2021and March 2022. After doing this, Gebhart distributed the videos via computer and cell phone. He also used the images and videos to extort money and other items from the 16-year-old.
>>Prince to Get Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2025
(Hollywood, CA) — A Minnesota music legend will posthumously get his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame next year. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and former band mate Jimmy Jam announced that Prince is a member of the class of 2025 Monday at a news conference. Jam said, “And the iconic, my junior high school classmate in Minneapolis, Prince is going on the Walk of Fame.” Prince is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the U-K Music Hall of Fame, and the National R & B Hall of Fame. The date for Prince’s star ceremony hasn’t been scheduled. There was a 40th anniversary celebration of Purple Rain in Minneapolis last weekend and two sold-out shows by Prince’s former band, The Revolution, at First Avenue.
>>Minnesota Timberwolves Sign Coach Finch to 4-Year Extension
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Timberwolves are rewarding head coach Chris Finch with a four-year contract extension. Finch led the Wolves to a 56-and-26 record last season and their first trip to the Western Conference Finals in 20 years. Finch said in a statement, “I’m proud of the way we’ve been able to establish a great culture here with the Timberwolves and I look forward to continuing to lead this organization and make our fans proud.” The Timberwolves had the number-one ranked defense in the N-B-A. Financial terms of Finch’s extension were not disclosed.
