>>Minnesota Lawmakers Debate Teacher Retention Funding
(St. Paul, MN) – Before leaving for break, Minnesota lawmakers took up new efforts to keep K-12 teachers in the classroom. A DFL-authored bill would allocate an additional two million dollars in 2027 toward teacher retention statewide. Supporters point to data showing about one in three teachers leave the profession within their first five years. Republicans argue resources should focus on districts where teachers are already staying. Education Minnesota says heavy workloads and lack of support are driving educators out. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus package.
>>Advocates Disappointed GOP Delegation Wants to Eliminate Passenger Rail Funding for Minnesota
>>Another Feeding Our Future Defendant Sentenced to Prison
(Minneapolis, MN — Another defendant in the 250-million-dollar Feeding Our Future fraud scheme is going to federal prison. Abdul Abubakar Ali was sentenced Monday to one year and one day behind bars. Ali pleaded guilty in 2022 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Prosecutors say he used a nonprofit called Youth Investors Lab to falsely claim roughly 1.5 million meals through the Federal Child Nutrition Program. Ali’s cooperation was noticed, and he’s paid over 92,000 dollars back. But the judge said his role was too significant, noting he recruited others into the scheme and completely fabricated meal counts. A total of 79 people have pleaded guilty or been convicted in the fraud scheme.
>>Minnesota Foodshare March Campaign Wrapping up in Minnesota
(Glencoe, MN) — The largest grassroots food and fund drive in Minnesota is coming to a close. Carrie Opheim of the McLeod Food Shelf in Glencoe says, “The March campaign couldn’t come at a better time, and it’s a time that’s traditionally really low for donations for food shelves, which is what born the idea of the March campaign a little over 40 years ago.” She says it’s a very grassroots way to restock food shelves in anticipation of those summer months when they know that traffic is higher. The Minnesota Foodshare March Campaign raises millions of dollars and pounds of food each year.
>>Man and Child Found Dead of Gunshot Wounds in Becker County
(Detroit Lakes, MN) –- Authorities in northwest Minnesota are investigating a shooting incident near Detroit Lakes that left two people dead. The Becker County Sheriff’s Office says a man went to check on his brother Monday in Holmesville Township and found him dead of an apparent gunshot wound. Sheriff’s deputies also discovered a child dead of a gunshot wound in the home. Investigators say it appears to be an isolated incident and there’s no threat to the community. No names have been released.
>>UTV Crashes into Elbow Lake in Western Minnesota
(Elbow Lake, MN) — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office says two people were airlifted to regional hospitals after the U-T-V they were riding on rolled into water in Elbow Lake. When emergency crews arrived Sunday night, one person was still in the water and taken to the local hospital. The other two people were flown by medical helicopter to trauma centers. No further information has been released.
>>Springsteen Kicks off Tour at Target Center in Minneapolis
(Minneapolis, MN) — Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band kick off their ‘Land of Hope and Dreams’ tour tonight (Tues) at Target Center. Springsteen performed “Streets of Minneapolis” at the No Kings rally Saturday at the Minnesota State Capitol. The song is a tribute to Renee Good and Alex Pretti who were killed by federal agents in Minneapolis during Operation Metro Surge. Springsteen also played an anti-ICE benefit concert January 30th at First Avenue. Some upper level tickets are still available for tonight’s show.
>>Timberwolves Rout Mavericks in Edwards Return
(Dallas, TX) — The Minnesota Timberwolves routed the Mavericks 124-94 Monday night at Dallas in the return of Anthony Edwards. Ant scored 17 points after missing six games with a sore knee. Julius Randle led Minnesota with 24 points and Ayo Dosumu put up a triple-double with 18 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists. The Wolves improved to 46-29 and remain fifth in the Western Conference standings. Their next game is Thursday night at the Detroit Pistons.
