>>Bill Banning Transgender Athletes from Girls’ Sports Fails in Minnesota House
(St. Paul, MN) — Republicans’ attempt to pass a girls’ only sports bill met intense debate on the Minnesota House floor Monday night and eventually struck out. Representative Leigh Finke of St. Paul and other Democrats spoke out against keeping transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports. Finke told members, “we haven’t heard a single piece of testimony in committee or on the floor of an actual problem being caused by trans girls in sports.” Bill author, Republican Peggy Scott of Andover, called for passage to protect girls’ opportunities to compete fairly. Scott said, “you’re protecting their safety and opportunities, for scholarships to play at a higher level not to have that opportunity yanked from them by a bigger, stronger, faster male.” The vote was along party lines, and the G-O-P came up one vote short.
>>Governor Walz Addresses Trump Tariffs at Minnesota Farm
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz is visiting a corn and soybean farm in Cannon Falls today(Tuesday 12 pm) to discuss the impact of President Trump’s tariffs on Minnesota farmers. Mexico and Canada are among the top three countries importing Minnesota’s agricultural products. Walz will be accompanied by Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Peterson and local farmer Danny Lundell. Minnesota’s agricultural exports generate $9.2 billion annually, accounting for more than a third of the state’s total exports. The state’s top export commodities include soybeans, corn, feed, and pork.
>>House Committee Debates Tax Exemptions for Large-Scale Data Centers
(St. Paul, MN) — A Minnesota House panel is mulling the idea of modifying state tax breaks to include certain data centers in the state. Preston Republican Representative Greg Davids authors a bill that would give large scale data centers certain tax exemptions. Those in support of the bill cite possible job creation and positive impacts on the economy because of new data centers that could come to Minnesota. Opponents say these large-scale data centers have high energy demand, and that there could be environmental impacts. A House committee will take up the bill again today(Tues) before laying it over for possible inclusion in an omnibus tax bill.
>>Duluth Daycares Take Part in Day Without Childcare
(Duluth, MN) — Four daycares in the Duluth area participated in a nationwide event called “A Day Without Childcare” to raise awareness about the important work they do. Childcare workers and parents spoke at a news conference Monday to express their frustrations with the childcare system. Key issues highlighted included low wages for childcare workers and the high cost of childcare for families. These challenges not only impact families and workers but also affect the broader community. A bill proposed at the state Capitol aims to cap childcare costs at seven percent of a family’s annual income, which would be an important step toward improving the system.
>>Minnesota Sheriffs Issue Fewer Firearm Permits in 2024
(St. Paul, MN) — New numbers indicate sheriffs are issuing fewer handgun permits in Minnesota. The B-C-A’s annual report shows just over 57 thousand firearm permits were issued in 2024, which is about eight thousand less than 65-thousand two years ago. The total number of valid permits in Minnesota topped 408 thousand. Permit holders committed more than 53 hundred crimes last year and 54 percent were D-W-I’s or other traffic offenses. Just under three percent were incidents where firearms were used in furtherance of a crime.
>>2nd Fire Fatality of 2024 at Minneapolis Apartment Building
(Minneapolis, MN) — A man is dead following an apartment fire Monday in north Minneapolis. Crews were called to a possible fire at a three-story residential building around 5 pm, finding smoke in the hallway. Officials say the fire was put out in a garden-level apartment unit, and a man was found dead inside. The cause of the fire is under investigation. This is the second fire death in Minneapolis this year.
>>Xcel Energy Issuing Refunds from Federal Tax Credits
(St. Paul, MN) — Xcel Energy plans to refund Minnesota customers an average of 81 dollars, funded mainly by federal tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act. These nuclear energy credits will contribute $176 million, about 55% of the total $318 million refund. Lower fuel costs will account for around 30% of the refund. If approved by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, the refunds will be applied to monthly bills until March 2026. Xcel operates nuclear plants in Monticello and Prairie Island, producing nearly 25% of the electricity for its Upper Midwest customers.
>>Annual Survey Shows Minnesota’s Moose Population at 4000 Animals
(Undated) — The latest aerial survey of northeastern Minnesota indicates the state’s moose population remains relatively stable. D-N-R scientist Amanda McGraw says this year the population estimate is approximately 4,040 animals. That’s up about 16 percent from the estimate last year which was about 3,470 animals. McGraw says the trend over the last ten to 12 years suggests Minnesota’s moose population is around 37 hundred animals. She says they continue to research and try to understand the challenges facing moose in Minnesota.
>>John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon Teams Expected to Finish Tuesday Morning
(Grand Portage, MN) — Organizers are expecting mushers in the 40th running of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon to cross the finish line around 9:30 this morning (Tues) in Grand Portage. The leaders late Monday night were Erin Aili, Erin Altemus, and Jesse Terry. Monday was the warmest day of the race for the sled dog teams. The marathon started in Two Harbors instead of Duluth on Sunday due to the lack of snow near Lake Superior. The move shortened the race from more than 300 miles to about 270 miles.
>>US Women’s National Soccer Team to Play China in St. Paul
(St. Paul, MN) — The U-S Women’s National Soccer Team is returning to Allianz Field in St. Paul this spring. The Minnesota United F-C says the Americans will play in a friendly match on Saturday May 31st against China P-R. Last summer, the U-S women played in St. Paul against South Korea. Tickets go on sale for the China match this Friday.
