>>Walz: “Option is Always to Open” to Change Prosecution of State Trooper
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz says the “option is always open” to turn prosecution of the state trooper accused of murdering Ricky Cobb over to Attorney General Keith Ellison. But Walz adds that’s “a very serious step” in terms of the justice system. His comments come after court findings revealed that Hennepin County chief prosecutor Mary Moriarty stopped working with a use-of-force expert who initially concluded that a reasonable officer would have acted like Trooper Ryan Londregan (LON-druh-gan) to protect his partner. Governor Walz said Monday, “Why would you not listen to a use-of-force expert? Why would that not be central to something you would do? …And I will say, if there are allegations at this time, release documents and let us know.” Moriarty says they “would be happy to meet with the governor… to discuss any concerns… about the rules of criminal procedure – the same rules our office follows… in thousands of cases every year.”
>>Minnesota Farm Bureau Gathering at State Capitol for Day on the Hill
(St. Paul, MN) — There’s a tractor on the State Capitol lawn today (Tues) as the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation celebrates National Agriculture Day. More than 130 members from across the state are attending the annual ‘Day on the Hill’ to share their stories and meet with legislators. State Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen, Senate Ag Committee Chair Aric Putnam, and Minnesota Farm Bureau president Dan Glessing are scheduled to speak at a gathering on the Capitol steps (11:15 am).
>>Minnesota Ethanol Advocates Celebrate Record E-15 Sales in 2023
(Burnsville, MN) — Ethanol advocates are celebrating another record year for E-15 sales in the state. Minnesota retailers sold more than 127-and-a-half-million gallons in 2023 – compared to 105.5 million gallons in 2022. Brian Werner of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association says that is a 21 percent increase and that’s more than double the amount of sales from five years ago. Werner says Minnesota is a top ethanol producing state and these numbers show we’re also leading the way on consumption. He notes that E-15 is an average of 16 cents cheaper per gallon than regular unleaded gasoline.
>>Minneapolis Post Office Renamed in Honor of Late Congressman Sabo
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minneapolis Main Post Office is now being called the “Representative Martin Olav Sabo (SAY’-boh) Post Office.” The downtown building was officially re-named in honor of the late 5th District congressman during a ceremony Monday. Sabo represented the Minneapolis area in the U-S House for nearly 30 years and helped secure funding for major projects including the V-A Medical Center and Hiawatha light rail line. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar said, “May this post office, where my dad worked for nearly 20 years, continue to serve the public in the spirit of the Congressman.” Senator Amy Klobuchar and U-S Representative Betty McCollum also spoke at the event.
>>Authorities ID 2 Victims Killed in Le Sueur County Crash
(Kasota Township, MN) — Authorities are identifying the two victims of a deadly crash Sunday afternoon in south central Minnesota’s Le Sueur County. The State Patrol says an S-U-V driven by 53-year-old Michael Hoffman of Mankato collided with a car driven by 20-year-old Dwan Long of Jordan on Highway 22 in Kasota Township. The report shows both drivers died at the scene and that alcohol was not involved.
>>Victim of Fatal Fire in Moorhead Identified
(Moorhead, MN) — Investigators are releasing the name of the man who died in house fire in Moorhead. Officials say 73-year-old Steven Timmer was found dead in his home Thursday morning. The preliminary autopsy report says Timmer died from soot and smoke inhalation. The fire appears to be an accident and likely started in the kitchen. Firefighters rescued two dogs from the home.
>>Woman Charged Following Red Lake Amber Alert Friday
(Red Lake, MN) — A criminal complaint in Todd County reveals chilling details about the abduction of a toddler Friday that briefly sparked an Amber Alert in northern Minnesota’s Red Lake Tribal Nation. It says 36-year-old Jennifer Stately was taken into custody during a traffic stop and officers located the boy in the backseat, claiming they could see scabs covering his entire body. They also reported Ethan had open sores, some of them actively bleeding, covering the majority of his face, and had a “very strong” body odor, “as if he had not been washed or changed in a few days.” Stately is facing four felony charges, including third-degree assault of a victim under age four, child torture, malicious punishment of a child, and child neglect resulting in substantial harm.
>>MDA Awards $150K in Grants to Combat Noxious Weeds
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is awarding $150,000 in grants to combat noxious weeds and invasive plants in the state. Noxious weeds are plants with the potential or are known to be harmful to humans or animals, the environment, crops, public roads, livestock, or other property. The money awarded 11 communities, including cities, counties, townships, conservation districts, and tribal nations can be used to purchase equipment and supplies, conduct mapping and outreach activities, and hire private applicators to manage noxious weeds.
>>Minnesota Lynx to Retire Maya Moore’s Jersey in August
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Lynx plan to retire the jersey of four-time W-N-B-A champion Maya Moore this summer. The team says Moore’s number 23 jersey will be hoisted to the Target Center rafters on August 24th prior to a game against the Indiana Fever. Moore was a six-time All-Star for the Lynx before retiring at age 33. She was drafted number-one overall in 2011 and averaged more than 18 points, six rebounds and three assists during her eight seasons in Minnesota.
>>Joann Fabric Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
(Undated) — Joann Fabric, which has 22 stores in Minnesota, is filing for bankruptcy as it struggles to recover from pandemic losses and a change in customer spending habits. All of its 850 stores across the country will remain open during Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. Company officials say Joann customers won’t see any disruption of service, and it remains focused on providing customers with quality products and services that inspire their creativity.
Joann has stores in the following Minnesota locations:
Alexandria
Apple Valley
Bemidji
Brainerd
Coon Rapids
Duluth
Edina
Elk River
Faribault
Hibbing
Hutchinson
Mankato
Maple Grove
Maplewood
Minnetonka
Red Wing
Rochester
Roseville
Saint Cloud
Shakopee
Willmar
Woodbury
