>>Trump and Biden Win Minnesota Presidential Primaries
(St. Paul, MN) — President Joe Biden and Republican Donald Trump are celebrating victories in their party’s primary in Minnesota’s “Super Tuesday” election. Trump topped Nikki Haley 69-percent to 29 — while Biden’s 70 percent victory was dampened by a 19-percent “uncommitted” vote. Minnesota D-F-L Party Chairman Ken Martin says that effort was driven by what’s happening in the Mideast right now and folks wanted to send a message…”and it was received and certainly heard by our president and vice president.” Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips got only about 8 percent of the Democratic votes in his home state. Turnout was about 16.5 percent, down significantly from over 22 percent in 2020’s primary.
>>Walz Administration Awards $50 Million in Broadband Grants
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development is awarding 50-million dollars in grants to expand broadband to nearly nine thousand homes and businesses. Twenty-four projects are receiving funding to expand high-speed broadband in 25 counties across the state. DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek says, “broadband is a significant equity issue, and as a greater Minnesota resident in rural Benton County, I hear firsthand from local businesses, students and neighbors about the impact broadband access has on their lives and livelihoods.” The list of grant recipients is on the DEED website.
>>43rd Annual MinnesotaFoodshare March Campaign Underway
(Minneapolis, MN) — The 43rd annual MinnesotaFoodshare March Campaign is in high gear. Spokeswoman Julia Strautman says it comes at a time when we continue to see increased demand. She says there were 7.5 million visits to food shelves in the state 2023, up 36 percent from the previous year and more than 100 percent from pre-pandemic times. Strautman says the grassroots operation has raised 18 million dollars that is distributed directly to food shelves statewide. You can donate to the March campaign through your local food shelf.
>>More Minnesota Veterans Eligible for VA Benefits
(St. Paul, MN) — Attention all Minnesota veterans. If you were exposed to toxins or other hazards during your service, you can now enroll directly in V-A health care without applying for V-A disability compensation benefits first. This applies to veterans who served in Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other combat zone after 9/11, as well as anyone who was exposed to hazardous materials during their training or active duty. To find out more about these benefits, please contact your county V-A office in Minnesota.
>>MDA Accepting Applications for Livestock Investment Grants
(Undated) — The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for its Livestock Investment Grant program. Funds can be used to purchase equipment and make physical improvements to help start, improve, or expand livestock operations in the state. M-D-A officials say up to 650 thousand dollars is being awarded this round of grants. Applications will be accepted until May 2nd.
>>Man Charged in Dinkytown Shooting That Left 2 Dead
(Minneapolis, MN) — Bail is set a two million dollars for a man accused in a deadly shooting near the University of Minnesota campus in December. Prosecutors say 25-year-old Maleek Conley is charged with two counts of second-degree murder in a shooting that left two men dead and one wounded at a Dinkytown tobacco shop. Police said a fight between groups of customers escalated to gunfire. A tobacco store employee suffered a non-life threatening injury.
>>200K Coming to Minneapolis for Big Ten Tourney, Other Events
(Minneapolis, MN) — Major events are expected to draw more than 200 thousand people to Minneapolis over the next week and a half. Meet Minneapolis C-E-O Melvin Tennant says the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament starts today (Wed) at Target Center and is sold out for the first time because of N-C-A-A all-time scoring leader Caitlin Clark of Iowa. An estimated 109 thousand fans are expected, and the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament is at Target Center next week. Tennant says the schedule of events will help restaurants, bars, hotels, and other attractions in Minneapolis.
>>Puck Drops on Minnesota Boys State Hockey Tournament
(St. Paul, MN) — The 2024 Minnesota State Boys High School Hockey Tournament gets underway today (Wed) at the Xcel Energy Center. Warroad and New Ulm face off in the first Class-A quarterfinal at 11 am, and St. Cloud Cathedral plays Northfield in the second game at 1 o’clock this afternoon. It’s Hermantown versus Alexandria at 6 pm and defending 1-A champion Mahtomedi (mah-tuh-MEE’-dye) takes on Orono (OAR’-uh-noh) in the late game at 8pm. The Class 2-A quarterfinals begin Thursday morning in St. Paul.
