>>Klobuchar and Smith Meeting with Poultry Producers on Bird Flu in Willmar
(Willmar, MN) — U-S Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith are meeting with poultry producers today (Tues 2:30pm) in Willmar to talk about the response to highly pathogenic avian influenza. The senators are also visiting a turkey barn impacted by bird flu and will discuss the U-S-D-A’s recent strategy rollout, ongoing biosecurity challenges, and the need for financial relief for affected farmers. Avian influenza in commercial turkeys in Minnesota has resulted in the loss of more than 6.6 million birds.
>>Governor Walz Visiting Eau Claire for Town Hall
(Eau Claire, WI) — Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will be in Eau Claire, Wisconsin tonight (Tues 6pm) for a town hall meeting. Walz launched a tour last week in Iowa to hear from people he says feel unheard by the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress. The event in Eau Claire will focus on the influence Trump advisor Elon Musk has on the Wisconsin Supreme Court race. More than a thousand people attended Walz’s first town hall in Des Moines. The 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee organized the tour in response to news that Republicans leaders told G-O-P members of Congress not to host town halls.
>>Bill to Return Budget Surplus Money to Minnesota Taxpayers Fails
(St. Paul, MN) — A Republican bill that would amend the state constitution to require a portion of budget surpluses be returned to taxpayers failed on the Minnesota House floor. The vote was 67-67 with 68 needed to pass. G-O-P Representative Wayne Johnson of Cottage Grove proposed when the surplus exceeded expenses by more than 105 percent, money would be returned to taxpayers. If it would have passed the legislature, the issue would have been on the general election ballot in 2026.
>>Senate GOP Highlights Wasteful Spending in Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) — Senate Republicans are highlighting 600 million dollars of what they call wasteful spending that could be cut from the state budget. Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson says their red pen found waste in transportation projects and spending on health care for non-citizens of Minnesota. Johnson says, ” we’re confident there’s more misprioritized spending and waste to be found and we can promise you that we will be looking into that.” Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy said, “it’s clear Republicans see programs that help people as waste, and their budget priorities are tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy.”
>>Lawmakers Continue to Debate Possible Changes to Paid Family Leave
(St. Paul, MN) — Lawmakers in the Minnesota House continue to debate changes to the state’s newly launched Paid Family and Medical Leave program. Republican Representative Dave Baker of Willmar is sponsoring legislation that would reduce the amount of time for paid leave from 12 weeks to six for businesses with 50 or fewer employees. Supporters say small businesses can’t handle losing employees for that long. A bill that would delay the program for one year was tabled in the House last week. The Paid Family and Medical Leave law takes effect January 1st, 2026.
>>U of M Extension Study Finds Ethanol Contributed $2.1 Billion to Economy
(Burnsville, MN) — An annual report by U of M Extension shows the state’s ethanol industry is big business. Brian Werner of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association says the study showed that the industry statewide provided a contribution of over 2 billion dollars to the state’s gross domestic product. That was based on 1.4 billion gallons of ethanol that was produced in 2024. Werner says ethanol generated 1.2 billion dollars in income for Minnesota residents and paid 157 million dollars in state and local taxes last year. About 18-thousand-400 jobs are based on ethanol in the state.
>>3-Year-Old Injured After Hit by Vehicle in Eagan
(Eagan, MN) — A three-year-old child has “unknown injuries” after being hit by a vehicle Monday in Eagan. Police say the child was riding a scooter when a car hit them around 4 p-m. Officers found the child trapped under the vehicle and brought the victim to Regions Hospital. No other information is available.
>>Police ID St. Cloud Man Killed in Stabbing
(St. Cloud, MN) — Police are identifying the man killed in a stabbing last Thursday as 36-year-old Shane Brunner of St. Cloud. Officers called to a fight found Brunner with a stab wound to the back. He was taken to St. Cloud Hospital and died there the next day. Charges are expected against the 25-year-old suspect arrested just hours later.
>>Rochester Man Charged with Fentanyl Distribution
(Rochester, MN) — A Rochester man faces one count of first-degree drug sales after a facilitated drug buy. Rochester police conducted three controlled buys with 49-year-old Philip Smith to purchase fentanyl. Smith sold a combined 17.7 grams of fentanyl between February and his arrest on Thursday. He’s held on a $200,000 bail and is scheduled to be in court later this month.
>>Timberwolves Fall to Pacers to End 8-Game Win Streak
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Timberwolves’ eight-game win streak is over after a 132-130 loss to the Indiana Pacers in overtime Monday night at Target Center. Julius Randle missed a game-tying shot at the buzzer in O-T. Anthony Edwards led the Wolves with 38 points and Naz Reid had 21. Minnesota will play the New Orleans Pelicans Wednesday night in downtown Minneapolis.
