>>US Senator Smith Rallies with US Postal Workers in St. Paul
(St. Paul, MN) — U-S Senator Tina Smith is telling President Trump and Elon Musk they need to “stay the hell away” from the U-S Postal Service. Smith joined around 200 letter carriers Sunday in St. Paul to protest the Trump administration’s efforts to privatize the U-S-P-S. Smith says postal workers provide an essential constitutional service, ensuring that folks have their medicine, bills and paychecks on time. Smith told the crowd, “I’m on the side of the postal workers.” President Trump said he wants to dismantle the Postal Service and move it under the U-S Department of Commerce.
>>Senator Hauschild Opposes Proposal to Move US Hockey Hall of Fame to St. Paul
(St. Paul, MN) — The U-S Hockey Hall of Fame’s executive committee is exploring a potential move from Eveleth to the Xcel Energy Center. Senator Grant Hauschild of Hermantown says relocating the museum would be a slap in the face to the Iron Range and hockey legends like John Mariucci. He says, “We should look for opportunities to improve the U-S Hockey Hall of Fame where it is and make it a destination for people to visit just like other hall of fames.” Supporters of the move say the museum in Eveleth only attracts about nine thousand visitors a year while hundreds of thousands of hockey fans would come to St. Paul.
>>Significant Snowfall Sunday in Parts of Northern, Northeastern Minnesota
(Duluth, MN) — Some parts of northeastern and northern Minnesota are getting spring snowfall. The National Weather Service in Duluth is reporting nine inches near Hovland along the North Shore, seven at International Falls, five inches in Federal Dam in Cass County, four-and-a-half inches near Finland, four at Hackensack , three inches in Silver Bay, and couple inches in Ely and Chisholm. It is still snowing this morning in some areas up north.
>>Xcel Energy Working to Bring Monticello Nuclear Plant Back to Full Operation
(Monticello, MN) — The Monticello Nuclear Plant is temporarily shut down following an issue with a control valve last week. Xcel Energy officials say they are working to bring the plant back to full operation. The reactor was automatically taken offline on Wednesday. They say the shutdown is not impacting electrical service to customers.
>>Department of Ag Grant Funding Available for Minnesota Meat Processors
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has grant funding available to help small to medium sized meat processors train and retain employees. Program administrator Maya Benedict says partner organizations will be awarded the funding, who will then work local processors. Benedict says small to mid-sized meat processors are a crucial part of Minnesota’s ag economy. There’s $350,000 available during this round of funding, and more info is available on the Department of Ag’s website.
>>Kids Playing with Matches Blamed for Large Brush Fire in Shoreview
(Shoreview, MN) — Investigators are blaming kids playing with matches for causing a brush fire that burned more than 20 acres in Shoreview. The Lake Johanna Fire Department responded to the growing fire Saturday night and called in firefighters from 11 other agencies for help. Officials say the flames were threatening homes and it took them several hours to extinguish the fire. No damage or injuries were reported. Lake Johanna Fire and E-M-S covers Arden Hills, North Oaks, and Shoreview.
>>Anoka Man Crash Into Light Pole, Dies in Champlin
(Champlin, MN) — A man from Anoka is dead after crashing into a light pole on Highway 169 early Sunday morning in Champlin. Police say a car driven by 35-year-old Adonis Turner was heading north on 169 when he left the roadway and hit a light pole at the intersection of West River Road. Turner was ejected from his vehicle and despite life-saving treatment, he died at the scene. Investigators say it’s unknown if alcohol was a factor.
>>Mora Woman Charged with Criminal Vehicular Homicide of 4-Year-Old
(Center City, MN) — A Mora woman faces criminal vehicular homicide charges after causing a March 14th crash near Rush City that killed a four-year-old boy. Chisago County authorities say 36-year-old Ashlee Klapperick was heading north with two children in the car when she crossed the center line. Klapperick hit a minivan with a woman and three children inside. A 4-year-old boy in Klapperick’s car was brought to a hospital and died on Thursday. Klapperick told deputies she had used methamphetamine in the last 24 hours, impairing her during the crash. She’s due in court on April 4th.
>>Gopher Men’s Hockey Opens NCAA Tournament vs. UMass in Fargo
(Minneapolis, MN) — The University of Minnesota men’s hockey team will open the N-C-A-A Tournament Thursday night against U-Mass in Fargo, North Dakota. The Golden Gophers are the number-two seed in the region and the Minutemen are the third seed. The winner will face either number-four seed Minnesota State-Mankato or top-seed Western Michigan Sunday for a trip to the Frozen Four. Minnesota went 25-10-and-4 and won a share of the Big Ten regular season championship.
