>>February State Budget Forecast for Minnesota Released Today
(St. Paul, MN) — Lawmakers and the rest of Minnesota will get the next clue about the state’s future budget this afternoon (Thurs) at the Capitol. Minnesota Management and Budget along with state economists will release the February Budget Forecast today at 12:30 p-m. This announcement is about a week later this year due to the later release of key federal employment data. Back in December, the state budget forecast called for a $616 million surplus for the years 2026-27,and a $5 billion deficit for the following two years. Legislators will use the information and attempt to come up with a balanced budget by the end of session in May.
>>Governor Walz Discusses Impact of Tariffs with Canadian Premiers
(St. Paul, MN) — The impact of new tariffs was the topic of conversation between Governor Tim Walz and two Canadian leaders on Wednesday. The governor’s office says Walz met with Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew to discuss ways to alleviate tariff impacts and strengthen our trade relationships. Walz says he’s working closely with Canadian leadership to help Minnesota get through this unnecessary and costly trade war. Much of Minnesota’s natural gas comes from Canada and the cost of the ten-percent tariffs will be passed on to consumers in our state.
>>House Bill Looks to Expand Childcare Tax Credit in Minnesota.
(St. Paul, MN) — A bill in the Minnesota House would raise the maximum amount of expenses eligible for the state’s childcare tax credit. The proposal from D-F-L Representative Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn of Eden Prairie would raise expenses eligible for the credit to $10,000, $20,000, or $25,000, for taxpayers with one, two, or three children younger than age 5. Minnesota Childcare Association spokesperson Clare Sanford says expanding the credit would help middle class families better afford childcare. The bill was approved by committee this week and now moves to the House Taxes Committee.
>>Conservative Political Commentor Calls for Chauvin Pardon
(Undated) — Conservative political commentator Ben Shapiro is urging President Trump to pardon former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was convicted of murdering George Floyd in 2020. Elon Musk shared Shapiro’s video on “X” and added, “Something to think about.” It’s important to note that even if Trump were to pardon Chauvin’s 20-year federal convictions for violating Floyd’s civil rights, the president lacks the authority to pardon or commute Chauvin’s state sentence, which is 22-and-a-half years. If Chauvin were pardoned at the federal level, he would still return to state custody to serve the remainder of his state sentence.
>>Rice County Authorities Recover Fisherman’s Body from Faribault Lake
(Faribault, MN) — Authorities in Rice County are investigating the apparent drowning of a man on Cannon Lake in Faribault. Deputies were called to the report of a body floating in the lake around 10 a-m Wednesday. Crews in cold water suits entered open water and recovered the body of 58-year-old Troy Krenz of Faribault. Investigators say Krenz went ice fishing Tuesday evening and never returned home. The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office is working to determine his official cause of death.
>>Pedestrian Killed by Light Rail Train in St. Paul
(St. Paul, MN) — Police say a pedestrian was killed by a light rail train Wednesday in St. Paul. Metro Transit says the victim was crossing the tracks at a marked pedestrian crossway on University Avenue when they were struck by a Green Line train. Officers say the pedestrian died at the scene. The victim hasn’t been identified.
>>MSP Flight to Mexico Diverted to Texas for “Security Concern”
(El Paso, TX) — A Sun Country Airlines flight from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to Mazatlán, Mexico, was diverted to Texas Wednesday for a “security concern.” Officials say Flight 593 left M-S-P around 2:30 p-m, a few hours late due to snow. The F-B-I in El Paso says the plane landed without issues. Investigators determined there was no threat but have not said what the concern was. All the Sun Country passengers spent the night El Paso.
>>20 Chickens Killed in Carlton County Barn Fire
(Carlton County, MN) — Space heaters may be to blame for a fire that destroyed a barn and killed 20 chickens in Carlton County. The sheriff’s office says the barn was fully involved when Cromwell Wright firefighters arrived Wednesday afternoon in Red Clover Township. Investigators say the fire was likely started by space heaters left in the barn. No injuries were reported.
>>Class 2 A Quarterfinals of Boys State Hockey Tourney Begin at the X
(St. Paul, MN) — The Class 2-A quarterfinals of the Minnesota Boys State High School Hockey Tournament are being played today (Thurs) at the Xcel Energy Center. Andover skates against Stillwater in the first game at 11 a-m, Shakopee faces St. Thomas Academy at 1 p-m, Lakeville South battles Moorhead at 6 o’clock this evening, and defending champion Edina takes on Rogers in the final 2-A game at 8 p-m. Four Class A teams advanced to the semifinals on Wednesday. Defending champs St. Cloud Cathedral shut out Mahtomedi 3-0, Orono beat Northfield 8-2, Hibbing blanked Luverne 7-0, and East Grand Forks defeated Northern Lakes 3-0. The semifinals are on Friday and the championship games are Saturday in St. Paul.
