>>Governor Walz Begins Statewide Infrastructure Tour
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz begins touring the state today (Wed 12pm) to look at large projects that could benefit from a bonding bill. The governor’s first stop will be a water treatment plant. Walz has proposed an infrastructure plan of 907 million dollars to improve public safety, clean water, transportation, and housing across the state. Some lawmakers say the governor’s proposal is too low and would like to see a bonding bill of at least one billion dollars. Walz will be joined by labor advocates and workers on the tour.
>>Gun Bills Fail to Clear Minnesota House Committee
(St. Paul, MN) — Two bills aimed at preventing gun violence in Minnesota failed to clear the House Public Safety Committee. The proposals would have prohibited the manufacturing and possession of ghost guns and re-enacted the state’s ban on binary triggers and enhanced penalties for straw purchases of firearms. Both bills failed to get one Republican to cross the aisle. The votes were 10-10 in committee, meaning the bills have stalled and will not be moving on in the House.
>>Senate Legislation Would Raise Price of Meat Raffle Tickets
(St. Paul, MN) — A bill in the Minnesota Senate would raise the maximum price of a meat-raffle ticket from two dollars to five and increase the top prize value from 70 dollars to 200. Those limits haven’t changed in more than 30 years. Amanda Jackson with the Spring Lake Park Lions Club told lawmakers,” By allowing slightly higher ticket prices and prize limits, we can continue this great Minnesota tradition and bring back those thicker cuts of ribeyes and six-pound packs of ground beef we used to send home with our lucky winners.” Supporters say rising meat costs and inflation have made it harder for charities and local bars to put together an appealing meat package.
>>MDH Releases New Fish Consumption Guidelines
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Department of Health is rolling out new fish consumption guidelines aimed at reducing exposure to mercury and other contaminants. For the first time, the state is adding fish-length recommendations, encouraging anglers to eat smaller walleye and northern pike. In most waters, M-D-H recommends limiting walleye under 20 inches to one serving a month and avoiding northern pike longer than 28 inches. Stricter limits apply in northeast Minnesota. New PFAS (pee-foss) warnings are also in place for the Vermillion River.
>>Man Arrested for Threatening to Shoot Students at St. Cloud State
(St. Cloud, MN) — A 29-year-old man is accused of threatening to shoot students at St. Cloud State University. Police received a report about a student threatening others Monday afternoon on campus. Officers later located the suspect and said he was carrying a handgun and had a fake gun. The man was arrested pending charges. No one was injured at St. Cloud State.
>>Larson Excited to Lead University of Minnesota Men’s Hockey
(Minneapolis, MN) — New Golden Gopher men’s hockey coach Brett Larson says he’s excited about his new position. The former St. Cloud State coach replaces Bob Motzko at the University of Minnesota. Larson said, “This is the best opportunity in college hockey. It’s the best tradition, the best culture, it’s got the best the players, it’s got the best facilities. It’s the place you want to be as a coach.” Larson spent eight years coaching the Huskies and was an assistant at Minnesota Duluth. He agreed to a five-year contract with the U of M.
>>Minnesota Wild Blow Lead in Loss at Tampa Bay Lightning
(Tampa Bay, FL) — The Minnesota Wild had a 3-1 second-period lead before falling to the Lightning 6-3 Tuesday night in Tampa Bay. Mats Zuccarello, Brock Faber, and Vladimir Tarasenko lit the lamp for Minnesota. But the Lightning scored five answered goals to pick up the home victory. Tampa’s Eric Cernak got credit for the eventual winner with under three minutes left in regulation when Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson fumbled a puck off the end boards. Gustavsson suffered the loss on 19 saves. The Wild continue the three-game road trip Thursday night at the Florida Panthers.
