>>Minnesota Voters Picking Presidential Candidates in Primary Election
(Chanhassen, MN) — The only names on Minnesota’s Super Tuesday primary ballot today (Tues) are the major party presidential candidates. Minnesota voters must choose either a Republican, Democratic or Legal Marijuana Now party ballot. The state switched from a caucus system to a presidential primary election in 2020. The Democratic ballot includes President Joe Biden, Congressman Dean Phillips and author Marianne Williamson. The G-O-P ballot features Ex-President Donald Trump, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and several candidates who already dropped out of the race. Polls are open until 8 pm.
>>Secretary of State: Most Voters Wait to Cast Ballot on Super Tuesday
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota is among the 15 states participating in today’s ‘Super Tuesday’ presidential primary. Secretary of State Steve Simon says even though early voting has been open for weeks, most Minnesotans have waited until today to cast their votes due to the number of candidates dropping out of the race. Simon says that has happened in this presidential nominating contest, “So, as a result, understandably, voters seem to be waiting, even those who have ordered absentee ballots. So, I think people are hedging their bets.” 2020 was the first year of a presidential primary election in Minnesota.
>>Rally Against New Minnesota Flag at State Capitol Tuesday
(St. Paul, MN) — Opponents of the new Minnesota state flag are rallying today (Tues 12-1:30 pm) on the steps of the State Capitol. Organizers are encouraging Minnesotans to let elected officials know the public should have a final say on replacing or keeping the current flag. Republican lawmakers are hosting a news conference at 2pm to discuss legislation they say would make corrections to the new state seal and give Minnesotans the right to vote on the new flag. Secretary of State Steve Simon said in December that such a statewide vote would be unconstitutional because we are not an “initiative and referendum” state.
>>Minnesota House Passes Bipartisan School Resource Officer Bill
(St. Paul, MN) — A strong bipartisan vote when the Minnesota House late Monday afternoon passed a compromise bill to “fix” a law on use-of-force by school resource officers, but how many Republicans support it in the Senate remains to be seen. House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth (DAY-muth) says Republicans have been asking for action since August and she’s grateful they finally took a vote on it. Representative Cedrick Frazier from New Hope says the bill he sponsored, “it creates a framework for the entire state now. There’ll be transparency. There’ll be accountability, if necessary.” Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson says Republicans will take a look at the companion bill when it’s sent over by the House.
>>Fosston City Council to Give Update on Essentia Health Labor & Delivery Dispute
(Fosston, MN) — The Fosston City Council is expected to update the public this evening (Tues 5pm) about its dispute with Essentia Health over ending baby deliveries at the local hospital. City Administrator Cassie Heide told a Minnesota House committee that the city is working towards arbitration with Essentia in July. She says they intend gain local control back of First Care Medical Services which is the city’s nonprofit that holds the license to the Fosston hospital. A new governing board will operate the hospital if the city ends its agreement with Essentia Health.
>>Authorities ID Rochester Woman Found Dead Lying in Snow
(Rochester, MN) — Authorities are identifying the woman found dead lying in the snow last week in Rochester. The Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner’s Office says the body of 57-year-old Pamela Anne Keeler was recovered February 28th near the Rochester Math and Science Academy. No word yet on Keeler’s cause or manner of death. Officers said they believed she was homeless. Police also discovered an injured man lying next to her in the snow. He is said to be recovering.
>>Missing Burnsville Man with Dementia found at Wisconsin Dells
(Wisconsin Dells, WI) — The Minnesota B-C-A says the endangered missing person alert is cancelled for a Burnsville man with dementia. Officers say 85-year-old Jack Kilby was located safely early this morning (Tues) in the Wisconsin Dells area. Police reported that Kilby left his home in Burnsville Monday morning and never returned. Authorities say Kilby purchased gas in Lakeville Monday afternoon and put more gas in his S-U-V around 6:30 pm in Woodville, Wisconsin.
>>Fire in Waseca Contained After Burning Nearly 2K Acres
(Waseca, MN) — Authorities in Waseca County are working to extinguish lingering hotspots from a wildfire that caused injuries to three people. The fire started on Sunday in the northeast region of Waseca and rapidly spread due to dry and windy conditions. An update reveals that the fire burned nearly two thousand acres and did not cause any damage to homes or buildings, despite earlier reports indicating otherwise. Two firefighters and a resident received treatment for their injuries. The firefighters were treated and released. Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the wildfire.
>>Indian Burial Ground Discovered at Big Kandiyohi County Park East
(Lake Lillian, MN) — The future of Big Kandiyohi County Park East near Lake Lillian is uncertain following the recent discovery of an Indian burial ground. Administrator Kelsey Baker says the next step is working with the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council (MIAC/MY’-ack) on a maintenance agreement. She says they will respect the land, notify them if we are going to make any arrangements or changes. And when we get back to the DNR grant that is something run through MIAC in case we’re hindering any of the land.” Baker says they planned to use a 234-thousand-dollar grant to build a new ADA-compliant shelter and bathhouse and some camper cabins before the Native American artifacts were found.
