>>Governor, Legislative Leaders Meet at Capitol
(St. Paul, MN) – After a day of meetings, still no special session called by Governor Tim Walz. In a briefing with reporters, the governor says the work is still being done on the final bills, the revisors are making their final edits, and negotiating continues with leaders about the order of the special session. The governor did not rule out the possibility that the special session could start on Saturday, and he’s confident it will be a one-day session. His next deadline is Monday when the governor will have to send out the next 28,000 layoff notices to state workers about a potential government shutdown on July 1st.
>>OCM Hosting Cannabis Business License Lotteries on Thursday
(St. Paul, MN) — This is a monumental day (6/5) for Minnesota’s adult-use cannabis industry. Eric Taubel of the Office of Cannabis Management says they will be awarding 249 cannabis business licenses through a series of lotteries. He says data will be uploaded into a Smartplay machine and it randomizes the order and then instantaneously draws out the right number of winners and pops them up on a screen. There will be four lotteries for social equity applicants at 11 am for cultivation, manufacturing, mezzobusinesses, and retail licenses. There are three business license lotteries this afternoon (Thurs 2pm) for the general applicants.
>>MN Ranks Low for Racial Inequality in Education
(St. Paul, MN) — A new study reveals that Minnesota ranks near the bottom in the U-S when it comes to racial equality in education. According to a WalletHub report, which examines graduation rates, test scores, and the number of college degrees earned by Black and white Americans across all 50 states, Wisconsin ranks lowest in educational equality. Minnesota and Connecticut follow closely in second and third place, respectively. In contrast, Wyoming and New Mexico rank as the most equitable states.
>>Roseville Man Accused of Trapping Parents in Basement, Setting Home on Fire
(Roseville, MN) — A Roseville man is facing attempted murder and arson charges for allegedly starting his parents’ house on fire. Ramsey County prosecutors say 29-year-old Andrew Alvarez is accused of trapping his parents in the basement Monday night before starting the fire. A police officer helped two residents and a dog escape through an egress window. Crews brought the fire under control in about 15 minutes. Fire investigators detected the presence of accelerants, indicating the fire was intentionally set. Alvarez was arrested at a nearby gas station. His parents weren’t hurt in the fire.
>>Thompson’s Brother Testifies Against Him in Fatal Minneapolis Crash Trial
(Minneapolis, MN) – The brother of Derrick Thompson, the Brooklyn Park man on trial for a Minneapolis crash in 2023 that killed five women, is testifying against his sibling. Thompson’s attorneys are working to say it can’t be proven that Derrick was behind the wheel during the crash, even suggesting his brother Damarco might have been instead. On Wednesday, Damarco told the court he did not drive the S-U-V, despite a hat and an extra set of keys being found in Thompson’s car. The state and defense both rested Wednesday and closing arguments begin today (Thurs).
>>Blaine Elementary Teacher Charged for Sending Video Looking Up Minor’s Dress
(Blaine, MN) – A Blaine teacher who looked up a student’s dress “for the thrill of it” is facing gross misdemeanor charges. Police say on June 2nd, the ex-wife of Jefferson Elementary School teacher Jason Bassett reported he sent a video to his daughter of himself pointing a camera up a young girl’s dress. Charges say Bassett showed his face on camera before asking the girl, who was 8-10 years old, to reach higher into a classroom cupboard, and getting video of her underwear. Bassett allegedly told police that he knew it was wrong. He is in the Anoka County Jail pending his first court appearance.
>>Steady Rise in Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault Reports Since Pandemic
(Fargo, ND) – The Fargo-Moorhead Rape and Abuse Crisis Center says it’s seen a steady increase in reports and those served since the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, the Center served nearly 4,000 people from both North Dakota and Minnesota, representing a 17.6% increase from the previous year. Chief Executive Officer Doctor Christopher Johnson says there’s a “very clear connection to the pandemic that showed the start of some troubling trends that have not subsided.”
>>No Serious Injuries in Double Semi Crash in Otter Tail County
(Otter Tail County, MN) – No one is seriously injured after two semi trucks collided in Otter Tail County on Wednesday. Deputies say both trucks were westbound on Interstate 94 when they crashed, forcing one truck off the road near County Road 10. One of the drivers was brought to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
>>Encourage Minnesota Kids to Spend Time Outdoors as Summer Arrives
(Minneapolis, MN) — With the school year ending and summer arriving, it’s important for Minnesota kids to still be spending time outdoors over the next couple of months. U of M School of Kinesiology lecturer Katie Schuver says increased access to screens has made it harder to get kids outside. Schuver says increased access to outdoor ties and trying new places like parks and trails can be ways to encourage kids to get outside. She says children and teens ages 6 to 17 should get at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily.
>>Twins Place Pablo Lopez on Injured List with Shoulder Strain
(Sacramento, CA) — Twins starting pitcher Pablo López is expected to miss eight to 12 weeks with a shoulder injury. The team says López has been diagnosed with a strain of the major muscle in his throwing shoulder. The Twins right-hander left Tuesday night’s game against the A’s with discomfort in his shoulder. Officials say the earliest he would begin a throwing program would be four weeks from now. Minnesota beat the Athletics 6-1 Wednesday night in Sacramento and Zebby Matthews earned his first win after holding the A’s to one run on four hits in five innings. The Twins go for the series sweep this afternoon (Thurs 2:35pm).
>>Napheesa Collier Named WNBA Player of Month for May
(Minneapolis, MN) — Another big honor for Minnesota Lynx All-Star forward Napheesa Collier. She was named the W-N-B-A Western Conference Player of the Month for May. Collier averaged nearly 27 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.4 blocks per game last month for the 8-and-0 Lynx. She was honored as Western Conference Player of the Week May 16th through the 25th after opening the season with four straight 20-point games. The Lynx next game is Sunday against Paige Bueckers and the Wings in Dallas.
