>>Women’s Basketball, Sweet 16: UCLA 80, Minnesota 56
(Sacramento, CA) — The season is now over for the University of Minnesota women’s basketball team after an 80-56 loss to second-ranked U-C-L-A last night in the Sweet 16 in Sacramento. The Golden Gophers trailed by only five points at halftime, but were outscored in the second half 46-27. Minnesota was led by Grace Grocholski (gruh-HULL-skee), who scored 12 points. The Gophers commited 15 turnovers in the game. Minnesota was making its first appearance in the Sweet 16 in 21 years. The Bruins improved to 34-1 behind Kiki Rice’s 21 points. Minnesota finished the season 24-9.
>>Minnesota-Duluth Men’s Hockey Beats Penn State in NCAA Tournament
(Albany, NY) — The Minnesota-Duluth men’s hockey team skated past Penn State in the opening round of the N-C-A-A Tournament last night in Albany, New York. The final score was 3-1. Bulldogs freshman forward Hunter Anderson scored the game-deciding goal for with just more than five-minutes to play. Sophomore defenseman Ty Hanson of Hermantown added an empty-net goal with under two-seconds left to finish it off. Sophomore forward Max Plante of Hermantown scored the first U-M-D goal of the game, tying the contest at 1-1 in the first period. Bulldogs goaltender Adam Gajan (GUY-on) made 29 saves. Minnesota-Duluth will play against top-seeded Michigan tomorrow for a Frozen Four berth. The Bulldogs are now 24-14-and-1, while the Wolverines improved to 30-7-and-1 after dispatching Bentley (MA) last night. Tomorrow’s game will face off at 4:30 P-M.
>>Minnesota State-Mankato Falls in NCAA Tournament
(Loveland, CO) — The Minnesota State-Mankato men’s hockey team saw their season come to an end yesterday in Loveland, Colorado. For the second straight season the Mavericks finished with a loss in the first round of the N-C-A-A Tournament to Western Michigan. The final yesterday was 3-1. Minnesota State-Mankato trailed 2-0 heading into the third period before sophomore forward Alex Zetterberg scored a goal to bring the Mavs to within one goal. The game remained 2-1 until an empty net tally came for the defending national champion Broncos with seven-seconds remaining. Mavericks head coach Luke Strand says he will miss the senior leaders of this team. Minnesota State’s season ends with a 22-11-7 record.
>>VP Vance Calls Out Fraud in Minnesota
(Undated) — Vice President J-D Vance called out Minnesota during the first meeting of the White House task force on fraud. Vance said an autism Medicaid scam in our state is an example of what’s been going on across government. He says Minnesota families who need autism services are unable to access them due to the scam. He claims the Trump administration is the first to take fraud seriously.
>>No Kings Rallies
(Minneapolis, MN) — Bruce Springsteen, Bernie Sanders, Joan Baez, and Jane Fonda are the headliners for today’s (Sat) No Kings Rally at the State Capitol. But Ann Treacy (TRAY’-see) of Women’s March Minnesota says folks from all over are coming to protest the Trump administration’s policies. They’re expecting more than a hundred thousand people at today’s rally in St. Paul. She says there will be several large screens for those who can’t get close to the stage. More than 100 other rallies are planned across the state.
>>Legislature on Easter Break
(St. Paul, MN) — The Capitol is now closed for the Easter/Passover break. Lawmakers left Friday to go back to their districts. Lawmakers still have big issues to tackle like gun violence prevention, fraud and a possible bonding bill. Lawmakers are back on Tuesday, April 7th. The session ends on May 18th.
>>Hortman Memorial Bill Moving Forward
(St. Paul, MN) — A bill that would create a memorial to Melissa Hortman and her family is swiftly moving forward. Bill author Senator John Hoffman (DFL, Champlin) spoke before the State and Local Government Committee Friday, testifying to her excellence. The bill has the support of over 2,250 Minnesotans from all political parties and has passed each House Committee without objection. It goes to the Capitol Investment Committee.
