>>Trump gets 27 of Minnesota’s 39 Delegates to RNC, 12 Haley Delegates Unbound
(St. Paul, MN) — Leaders announced late Wednesday that 27 of the Minnesota Republican Party’s 39 delegates to this summer’s national convention in Milwaukee will be bound to former President Trump — while 12 delegates are now unbound after Nikki Haley suspended her campaign. Minnesota G-O-P Chairman David Hann (HAN) says the strong showing of “Uncommitted” voters in the Democratic presidential primary in Minnesota underscores President Joe Biden’s “lack of support in our state.” But Minnesota D-F-L Party Chairman Ken Martin says he’s “absolutely convinced” that, if it’s a choice between Trump and Biden, most of the uncommitted voters will pick Biden. Hann says “Minnesotans are ready to turn the page on Joe Biden to the pro-growth policies of Donald Trump.”
>>Minnesota House Bill Requires Health Insurers to Cover Abortions
(St. Paul, MN) — Legislation that would require health plans in Minnesota to cover abortions is moving ahead in the Democrat-controlled state House after clearing a committee Wednesday. Coon Rapids Representative Zack Stephenson says over one-quarter of people seeking abortion care in 2021 had to pay out-of-pocket. He told colleagues, “At present, no plan available on MNsure covers abortion outside of rape, incest or an immediate threat to the mother’s life.” Kathy Blaeser (BLAY-zer) with Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life warns, “this would force people to, in effect, pay for the killing of unborn children through their health insurance premiums.” Expect strong opposition from Republicans, although they don’t have a majority in either the Minnesota House or Senate.
>>Legislation Prevents Corporate Entities from Gobbling up Single-Family Homes
(St. Paul, MN) — A bill designed to prevent corporate entities from acquiring single-family homes for rental purposes is moving through the Minnesota House. Representative Esther Agbaje (ag-BADGE-ay) of Minneapolis says, ” we look to create a more balanced market where every Minnesotan has an equitable opportunity to achieve home ownership. By limiting the amount that corporations can purchase for rentals in this market we want more homes available for people.” Housing Committee Chair Michael Howard of Richfield warns without the passage of this bill, “the dream of Minnesotans owning their own home will be lost for generations.”
>>Emergency Sirens Accidentally Sound During Monthly Test in St. Louis County
(Duluth, MN) — Officials in St. Louis County say a real emergency siren went off during the monthly test at 1 pm Wednesday. Residents of Duluth and Proctor mainly heard the emergency sirens yesterday. St. Louis County Emergency Services Administrator Dewey Johnson says one of their operators inadvertently pressed the warning button rather than the test button. He says this may have caused concern for those people who know the difference between the test tone and the tone for a real emergency. Johnson issued an apology to those affected.
>>Fosston Hopes to Retain Hospital Employees if Essentia Loses Agreement
(Fosston, MN) — City officials in Fosston hope to retain all the local employees if their nonprofit, First Care Medical Services, gets control of the hospital back from Essentia Health. Many hospital workers were among the 60-plus people who attended a special city council meeting Tuesday night. Fosston Mayor Jim Offerdahl says they assured them that all present employees would be welcomed by First Care Medical Services. The city’s operational agreement with Essentia Health is scheduled to go to arbitration in July. The dispute stems from Essentia ending baby deliveries in Fosston.
>>Minnesota’s ‘About Average’ Flu Season Continues in March
(St. Paul, MN) — State health officials are calling this flu season “about average” in Minnesota. Department of Health Epidemiologist Melissa McMahon says it’s not over yet. She says this year the peak has not been as high, but it’s been sticking around. Minnesota started getting a lot of flu cases in late December and McMahon says the activity has stayed “fairly consistent” since then. There have been 99 flu-related deaths and more than 28 hundred hospitalizations through late February. She adds that not too late to get a flu shot.
>>Meth Dealer from Burnsville Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison
(Minneapolis, MN) — A Burnsville man will spend 15 years in federal prison after getting caught with 30 pounds of methamphetamine in a stash house in southeast Minneapolis. Prosecutors say 34-year-old John Majerus the Second was serving a sentence for another drug conviction when he began trafficking meth from prison and continued following his release. Majerus made a deal with an undercover D-E-A officer which led authorities to a Minneapolis apartment where they found 30 pounds of meth hidden in a wall. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in November.
>>Minnesota Man Claims Lotto America Jackpot Cash Option
(Roseville, MN) — A Minnesota man who’s choosing to remain anonymous turned in his ticket at State Lottery headquarters in Roseville after winning the 3.73-million-dollar Lotto America jackpot. Officials say the man bought the ticket at a Cub Foods in Roseville and told them he was “in disbelief” after checking his ticket Tuesday morning. The man officially claimed the prize Wednesday and chose the 1.78-million-dollar cash option, saying he’s looking forward to paying off his mortgage, being debt-free and will probably buy a new car, too. It’s the third time Minnesota has had a jackpot winner since the Lotto America game launched in 2017.
>>Class 2A Quarterfinals at Minnesota Boys State Hockey Tournament
(St. Paul, MN) — The Class 2-A quarterfinals of the 2024 Minnesota State Boys High School Hockey Tournament begin today (Thurs) at the Xcel Energy Center. Chanhassen and Rochester Century/John Marshall face off in the first game at 11am and then it’s Centennial vs. Cretin-Derham Hall in the afternoon matchup (1pm). Edina plays Elk River/Zimmerman at 6 pm and the late 2-A game is White Bear Lake against Grand Rapids. Warroad, St. Cloud Cathedral, Hermantown and defending champion Mahtomedi (mah-tuh-MEE’-dye) won their Class A quarterfinals Wednesday in St. Paul.
