>>Senator Hauschild Cheers Extended Unemployment Benefits for Laid-Off Miners
(St. Paul, MN) — The new state budget includes an extension of unemployment benefits for more than 600 mine workers laid off on the Iron Range. Senator Grant Hauschild of Hermantown says this gives the families some peace of mind. He says, “I think this makes sure that they can at least have some certainty going into the year. What we know is that in particular is that Minorca is being weatherized which indicates to the workers that it’s possible that this mine could be closed into next winter.” The extended benefits are for an additional 26 weeks and are scheduled to last until next summer.
>>Big Spike in Proposed Health Insurance Rates for 2026 Plans
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesotans and small businesses could be paying significantly more for health insurance coverage next year. State Department of Commerce deputy Commissioner Julia Dryer says health insurers recently submitted their proposed rates for 2026 plans. She says increases in the individual market average a little over seven percent up to 26 percent and increases in the small group market are between seven percent and around 17 percent. Dryer says changes in the federal budget reconciliation bill could result in fewer tax credits available for people to use toward monthly health insurance premiums. There’s more information about the proposed rates for 2026 plans on the Minnesota Department of Commerce website.
>>Former Member of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Arrested in St. Paul
(St. Paul, MN) — A former member of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard is in custody in Minnesota. The Department of Homeland Security says 56-year-old Mehran Saheli was arrested by ICE agents Sunday in St. Paul. Saheli was convicted of being a felon illegally possessing a firearm in Minneapolis and sentenced to 15 months in prison. They also claim he stayed in the U-S illegally after a judge ordered him to be removed in June 2022, and that he’s a former member of a group with admitted connections to Hezbollah. Saheli is one of 11 Iranian nationals arrested Sunday in eight states. He remains in the Sherburne County jail in Elk River.
>>Hennepin County Officials Search for Man Who Fled After Sentence Hearing
(Minneapolis, MN) — A man sentenced to five years in prison for illegal weapon possession in Minneapolis on Tuesday is at large. The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office is searching for Jerel Martin, who fled the courtroom without a shirt or shoes after sentencing hearing. Officials say a woman in support of Martin handed him a cell phone, despite being told not to. This started a struggle between Martin and deputies after which Martin fled. He’s described as Black, five feet seven inches tall, weighs around 135 pounds and has black hair.
>>Tire Explosion Kills 1, Injures Another in Lake City
(Lake City, MN) — The Wabasha County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a man reportedly killed in an explosion. Deputies were called to rural Lake City on Tuesday on a report of a tire exploding while being worked on. Officials say 34-year-old Joshua Moechnig Junior died at the scene. His father, Joshua Moechnig Senior, was brought to St. Mary’s with facial injuries. His condition is unknown.
>>U of M Professor Recommends Parents Keep an Eye on Kids’ Summer Screen Time
(Minneapolis, MN) — School is out, and summer is here, which means Minnesota parents need to keep an eye on their teenagers’ screen time. U of M Department of Family Social Science Professor Jodi Dworkin says it’s quite the adjustment for kids as they have more time to spend on social media without school. Dworkin says talking to teens about online citizenship, being clear about what’s unsafe to post, and paying attention to behavioral changes can all help kids develop healthy social media habits. More tips on helping kids deal with screen time can be found on the U of M extension website.
>>NBA Board of Governors Approves Sale of Timberwolves to A-Rod, Lore
(Minneapolis, MN) — Alex Rodriguez and Mark Lore officially have the green light to become majority owners of the Minnesota Timberwolves organization. The N-B-A Board of Governors unanimously approved the one-point-five-billion-dollar sale Tuesday from Wolves owner Glen Taylor. The deal is expected to close this week. Lore will serve as governor of the Timberwolves and Rodriguez will act as governor of the Lynx. Glenn and Becky Taylor thanked Minnesota fans and said owning the team has been the honor of their lives.
>>Minnesota Lynx Lose at Washington Mystics Without Collier
(Washington, DC) — The Minnesota Lynx fall to 12-and-2 after a 68-64 loss to the Mystics Tuesday night in Washington, D-C. The Lynx scored just nine points in the fourth quarter and committed 19 turnovers in the game. Alanna Smith had a career-high 26 points, six blocks, and five rebounds for Minnesota and Jessica Shepard added 12 points and 15 boards. All-Star forward Napheesa Collier missed her second game in a row with a sore back. The Lynx play the Dream Friday night in Atlanta.
