>>Legislative Working Group Reaches Agreement on K-12 Education Funding
(St. Paul, MN) — Another piece of the state budget puzzle is done. D-F-L Representative Cheryl Youakim of Hopkins says the Education working group avoided cuts to K-12 funding the first two years. Youakim said, “We kept most of the cuts out of the classroom that were needed to make the budget target and with this bill we’ll be able to continue to fund our schools for the next two years.” But Republican Representative Ron Kresha of Little Falls says,” there’s trouble ahead when you look at the rapid deceleration of funds available, you look at declining enrollment, you look at the special ed costs coming up.” Still no word when the special legislative session will be called.
>>Advocates Concerned About Closing of CDC Office on Smoking and Health
(St. Paul, MN) — The Trump administration’s closing of the C-D-C’s Office on Smoking and Health could undermine progress being made to prevent youth tobacco use and help adults quit. Emily Myatt of the American Cancer Society in Minnesota says there is no more federal funding for tobacco prevention and cessation programs. She says, “states are ending their state-based tobacco prevention programs because the funding is gone. They’re closing the quit lines.” Myatt says Minnesota dedicated millions of dollars from the 2023 settlement with e-cig maker Juul to tobacco prevention and treatment. Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in the U-S.
>>MPCA Extends Air Quality Alert for All of Minnesota to Wednesday
(Undated) — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is extending an air quality alert for all of Minnesota until noon Wednesday. M-P-C-A Meteorologist Matt Taraldsen says you can stay safe by wearing an N-95 mask, staying indoors where there’s good filtration, and limiting your exertion outdoors. Taraldsen says dangers range from “unhealthy” for sensitive groups to “hazardous.” It’s the first time the agency has ever issued a “hazardous” alert and only the second time they’ve issued a “very unhealthy” alert. Visit the M-P-C-A website for up-to-date information.
>>Armed Suspect Fatally Shot by Police in Paynesville
(Paynesville, MN) — The Minnesota B-C-A is investigating deadly police shooting Monday night in Paynesville. Authorities were called to a domestic dispute involving a woman and man armed with a gun. Officers were able to get the woman out safely. Investigators say the man was locked in the basement and shots were fired as officers tried to take him into custody. Paramedics treated the suspect, but he died at the scene. The police report says a gun was recovered and the officers were using body-worn cameras. The female victim had minor head and neck injuries.
>>Coon Rapids Man Charged in Mariucci Arena Shooting
(Minneapolis, MN) — A Coon Rapids man is charged with felony counts of first- and second-degree assault and owning a machine gun for a shooting outside Mariucci Arena on the U of M campus. Police say 20-year-old Hamza Said shot and injured two people after the Wayzata High School graduation on Friday night. Said was quickly arrested, and officers found his black hoodie, black face mask, and a Glock handgun nearby. Both victims, men aged 19 and 49 , have been discharged from the hospital. The 49-year-old victim was shot in the head.
>>Minneapolis Man Gets 11 Years in Prison for Armed Robberies of Letter Carriers
(St. Paul, MN) — A Minneapolis man will serve 11 years in federal prison for two armed robberies of U-S Postal Service employees in November of 2023. Twenty-seven-year-old Rubin Adams pleaded guilty to holding letter carriers at gunpoint in Edina and Brooklyn Center. Prosecutors say Adams stole keys from one of the victims and used his access to secure mail collection boxes to carry out a check fraud scheme. He was also ordered to pay 78 thousand dollars in restitution.
>>Rochester Day Care Worker Charged with Child Abuse
(Rochester, MN) — A day care worker in Rochester is facing felony charges for allegedly abusing two infants. Twenty-five-year-old Alexis Kemp has been charged with two counts of malicious punishment of a child. Kemp works at New Horizons Academy. According to the complaint, investigators observed two incidents of abuse while reviewing footage recorded on May 29th.
>>Nickelodeon Universe MOA Visitors Might’ve Been Exposed to Measles
(Bloomington, MN) — Visitors to the Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America may have been exposed to measles. A child in Dakota County infected with measles visited the theme park in late May, according to state health officials. The Minnesota Department of Health stated that anyone at the theme park on May 24th between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. may have been exposed and should be vigilant for symptoms. Minnesota recorded 70 cases of measles in 2024, the highest amount since 2017.
>>MNA Nurses Hold Metro-Wide Pickets
(Undated) — Thousands of Minnesota Nurses Association’s (MNA) members will picket across the Twin Cities tomorrow (Wed) to make demands. M-N-A nurses are advocating for increased staffing to meet hospital needs, reduce job-related injuries and violence, and retain experienced nurses at the bedside. This comes as the state sends out layoff notices, with state nurses being the first to receive them. It also follows informational pickets held by Allina Health members today (TUES), who make similar demands.
>>Willmar Police Search for Missing Teen Last Seen in Rochester
(Willmar, MN) — Willmar police are searching for a missing sixteen-year-old who was last seen in Rochester on Wednesday. The Minnesota B-C-A describes Angel Perez-Ortiz as Hispanic with a light complexion, five feet seven inches tall, weighs 170 pounds, and has dark brown curly hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing dark pants and a black True Religion hoodie. Perez-Ortiz was believed to have been with a fifteen-year-old girl who has since been found safe.
>>Buxton Knocks in 5 RBI for Twins in Series Opening Win at A’s
(Sacramento, CA) — Byron Buxton drove in five runs in the Twins’ 10-4 win over the A’s in the series opener Monday night in Sacramento. Minnesota’s center fielder hit a two-run double in the second inning, a two-run single in the sixth, and a sacrifice fly in the ninth. Ty France had three hits and two R-B-I’s. Twins starter Joe Ryan allowed four runs over five innings for his sixth win of the season. Pablo Lopez starts for Minnesota tonight (Tues 9pm) against A’s left-hander Jacob Lopez.
