>>Vice President Harris to visit Twin Cities today
(Undated) — Vice President Kamala (KAH-muh-luh) Harris visits the Twin Cities today (Thurs), her third stop in Minnesota since she was elected. It’s part of the vice president’s “Fight for Reproductive Freedoms” tour, which began in January in neighboring Wisconsin. The White House says she’s criticizing proposals for a national abortion ban, plus “calling on Congress to restore the protections of Roe” and urging people to “stay engaged in the fight for fundamental freedoms.” Vice President Harris was last in Minnesota just over a year ago to visit an electric bus manufacturing plant in Saint Cloud. Before that, she spoke at a roundtable on reproductive rights in Saint Paul in October 2022.
>>Senate to Vote on Final Version of SRO Bill
(St. Paul, MN) — It’s expected the Minnesota Senate later today (Thurs 11am start) will pass what’s likely the final compromise to “fix” current state law on use-of-force by school-based resource officers. Senate negotiators agreed to the House version, which that chamber passed again yesterday (Wed). Governor Tim Walz calls the compromise bill a “good faith effort” by everyone involved. Backers say it keeps the limitation on the use of chokeholds for all peace officers in Minnesota and requires a statewide standard of basic training for school-based resource officers.
>>Tesla Ruled Out In Hit-And-Run Death In Milles Lacs
(Mille Lacs, MN) — A man who was under investigation for a deadly hit-and-run in Mille Lacs County has been cleared. Dr. Cathy Donovan was struck and killed while walking her dog back in November, and authorities had been looking at a Tesla as the vehicle that struck her, saying the driver may have had the car on autopilot. Authorities announced Wednesday that they’ve determined that the unidentified Edina man wasn’t involved in the incident. They’re still looking for the vehicle that fled the scene.
>>Woman gets probation for fentanyl overdose death of three-year-old son
(Hastings, MN) — A woman from (the Saint Paul suburb of) Maplewood has been sentenced to four years probation for the fentanyl overdose death of her three-year-son in West Saint Paul — a sentence the lead prosecutor says is too light. 36-year-old Queenetta McDaniel pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter in the December 2020 death of her son Amier. Prosecutors had asked for a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence, County Attorney Kathy Keena calling it “a tragic and senseless death” due to the negligence of the defendant.
>>Man Killed in Becker County Garage Fire Identified
(Detroit Lakes, MN) — Authorities have released the name of a man killed in a garage fire in Becker County earlier this week. The Becker County Sheriff’s Office says 56-year-old Kenneth Carrabou died in the Tuesday fire near Detroit Lakes. Investigators say the man was found inside the already burning garage by a neighbor and family members and pulled out before first responders arrived. He died after being airlifted to the Hennepin County Medical Center. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
>>Police Ask for Help Locating Woman Missing From Rochester
(Rochester, MN) — Police in Rochester are asking for help locating a woman who hasn’t been seen in more than a week. Thirty-four-year-old Alice Dobmeier left her home in southwest Rochester on March 3rd and has not been in contact with friends or family. Her cellphone was pinged at a Menard’s on March 4th but has not been located since then. Dobmeier is described as five feet, nine inches tall, weighing 160 pounds, with brown hair, blue eyes, and glasses.
>>St. Paul police arrest man, boy suspected of shooting at Ramsey County deputy during car chase
(St. Paul, MN) — Saint Paul police have arrested a 17-year-old boy and a 20-year-old man suspected of shooting at a Ramsey County deputy nearly two weeks ago during a car chase. The man, who’s the suspected shooter, was arrested early Wednesday morning as authorities executed a search warrant on the city’s East Side. The boy, who authorities believe was the driver, turned himself in hours later. Investigators say the two shot a rifle toward Ramsey County Deputy Joe Kill, which pierced his vehicle and struck his ballistic vest with debris or shrapnel.
>>DEED Opens Applications For $50M In Broadband Grants
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota has opened the application period for expanding broadband access projects. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development is offering 50 million dollars in grants to help cover the cost of broadband infrastructure. The state awarded funding to 24 broadband expansion projects through the program earlier this month. Applications will be accepted through May 10th.
