>>Officials Provide First Month on Update on State Capitol Weapons Screening
(St. Paul, MN) — Officials are providing an update on the first month of weapons screening at the Minnesota State Capitol. The State Patrol reports just over 67 thousand people were screened, 28 banned items were turned away, and 283 permit-to-carry holders were verified. Capitol security officers say the process is working well and improving safety, and the feedback from visitors has been mostly positive. The screenings started on February 17th.
>>Bills in Response to Operation Metro Surge Get a Closer Look
(St. Paul, MN) — Several bills will start getting a closer look at the State Capitol this week following Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota. The Senate Judiciary Committee has passed 11 bills to protect the civil, human, and constitutional rights of Minnesotans from federal agents. The package includes protections for essential spaces like courts, schools, and hospitals, and would require the Minnesota B-C-A be involved in any investigation following a shooting by a federal agent. There is also legislation allowing Minnesotans the right to sue federal agents for violating their civil rights.
>>ICE Agents Being Deployed to US Airports
(Undated) — Starting today, ICE agents will begin deploying to airports across the country. A move ordered by President Trump as T-S-A staffing shortages continue during the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown. The administration says the agents will help keep security lines moving. What’s still unclear is which airports will receive those agents first. Minneapolis–St. Paul International has not had long wait times at T-S-A checkpoints like larger airports. M-S-P officials say the average wait time has been 30 minutes during the spring break period.
>>Authorities ID Five People Killed in Cottonwood County Crash
(Sanborn, MN) — The State Patrol is identifying the five people killed in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 71 in southwestern Minnesota’s Cottonwood County. Troopers say an S-U-V driven by 67-year-old Martin Hanson of Springfield and a van driven by 42-year-old Matthew Schultz of Lakefield collided head-on Friday afternoon. Hanson was killed in the crash and Schultz suffered non-life threatening injuries. Four of Schultz’s passengers died; 49-year-old Kelly Hargus of Jackson, 73-year-old Kathleen Johnson of Jackson, 73-year-old Richard Johnson of Jackson, and 47-year-old Lindsey Rossow of Lakefield. Nine others in the van were injured.
>>Wild/NHL Reporter Pierce, Three Kids Killed in White Bear Lake House Fire
(White Bear Lake, MN) — The four people who died in a White Bear Lake house fire Saturday morning were Minnesota Wild/N-H-L reporter Jessi Pierce and her three children. Their family dog also died. The Minnesota Wild said in a statement that Pierce was a kind, compassionate person that cared deeply about her family. The team called her a “dedicated ambassador” for the game of hockey. Neighbors reported flames coming through the roof and said that there were likely people inside. No word yet on what caused the fire.
>>St. Cloud Apartment Fire Displaces Dozens of People
(St. Cloud, MN) — More than 50 people are displaced after an apartment fire in St. Cloud early Saturday morning. Firefighters rescued several residents from balconies and inside their units. The fire was quickly extinguished, but the building was later deemed unsafe to occupy. No injuries were reported. The cause remains under investigation.
>>Minnesota Pet Organizations Celebrate National Puppy Day
(Princeton, MN) — Nonprofits and pet organizations in Minnesota are celebrating today’s (Mon) 20th annual National Puppy Day. Crystal Bowen of Ruff Start Rescue in Princeton says the event started on March 23rd, 2006 and the goal is celebrating the joy that puppies bring but also raising awareness about adoption and some of the downfalls and dangers of puppy mills. Bowen says there is an abundance of puppies in rescues and shelters in the state. Ruff Start currently has about 80 puppies in foster homes that are up for adoption.
>>Gopher Women’s Basketball Beats Ole Miss to Advance to Sweet 16
(Minneapolis, MN) — The University of Minnesota women’s basketball team is headed to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2005. The Golden Gophers beat Ole Miss 65-63 Sunday on a last second shot by Amaya Battle in the second round of the N-C-A-A Tournament at Williams Arena. Mara Braun led the U of M with 17 points, Battle added 14 and 11 rebounds, and Sophie Hart scored 10 points in the paint. Minnesota will face either top-seed U-C-L-A or Oklahoma State in the Sweet 16 matchup Friday in Sacramento.
>>U of M Promotes May to Head Gopher Women’s Hockey Coach
(Minneapolis, MN) — The University of Minnesota is promoting Greg “Boom” May from associate women’s hockey coach to head coach. Longtime Golden Gopher coach Brad Frost was fired last week after 19 seasons. May has been associate coach since 2023. He previously coached the Augsburg College men’s hockey team and was director of operations for the U of M men’s team from 2019 to 2021. May has also been the boy’s head hockey coach at Farmington High School and Blake.
