>>Walz and Klobuchar React to Former President Biden’s Cancer Diagnosis
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz is among those sending well-wishes to former President Joe Biden. A spokesperson says Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that spread to his bones. Walz says on social media that he and his wife, Gwen, are praying for Biden and his family. Minnesota’s Democratic governor called Biden a, “truly decent man and a friend.” U-S Senator Amy Klobuchar says, “Joe is a fighter who has shown strength and grit throughout his life, and I know he’ll bring that same spirit to this fight with cancer.”
>>Minnesota Lawmakers Face Monday Night State Budget Deadline
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Legislature is scheduled to adjourn at 11:59 tonight (Mon), but lawmakers aren’t expected to approve the two-year state budget before the deadline. Most of the major bills remain in conference committee and a proposed bonding bill for public works projects is uncertain. Legislative leaders are preparing a for short special session to finish their work.
>>Veterans and Military Affairs Bill Sent to Governor Walz
(St. Paul, MN) — Working over the weekend, the House and Senate both passed the Omnibus Veterans and Military Affairs bill. It increases the funding for several provisions by $50.5 million. The funding will support the state’s eight veterans’ homes, operating adjustments for the Veterans Affairs and Military Affairs departments, and expand services for suicide prevention and home-delivered meals to veterans across the state. The bill heads to the governor for his signature.
>>DWI Reform Bill Heads to Governor for Signature
(St. Paul, MN) — Following the tragic loss of two lives at Park Tavern in St. Louis Park, a bill to toughen the state’s D-W-I penalties just needs a signature from the governor. The Senate followed the House and passed the legislation Saturday as amended. The bill follows the case of a repeat drunken driver who plowed his car into a group of people celebrating last year at Park Tavern. Two died and nine were injured. This new law will increase the time that repeat offenders will be required to use the ignition interlock system on their vehicles. Governor Walz is expected to sign it soon.
>>Agriculture Budget Bill is $9 Million More than Current Biennium
(St. Paul, MN) — The Agriculture Budget bill passed the Minnesota House and Senate Sunday but suffered some cuts. The conference committee report came back with an increase of nine million dollars while the House Ag Committee was seeking a $17 million dollar increase for this biennium. Republican Chair Paul Anderson from Starbuck says despite the cuts, most of the bill stayed intact. Those programs include more money to combat livestock diseases and the avian flu in the state. Anderson says the Senate version was able to include fee increases for grain license inspections and storage.
>>Minnesota Sex Offender Program Escapee from St. Peter Arrested in Missouri
(St. Peter, MN) — A man who escaped from the Minnesota Sex Offender Program in St. Peter is in custody in Missouri. Police say 53-year-old Steven Edwards was last seen on the St. Peter campus on Friday night and was in Albert Lea on Saturday where he acquired a Dodge Stratus car. Officers said he was located Sunday in Missouri and taken into law enforcement custody. The Minnesota Department of Human Services reported that Edwards removed his ankle monitoring device and fled from Community Preparation Services, which is a less secure treatment area in St. Peter.
>>State Patrol Identifies Drivers Killed in I-90 Crash in Winona County
(Fremont Township, MN) — Authorities are identifying the two people killed in a weekend crash on Interstate 90 in Winona County. The Minnesota State Patrol says an S-U-V driven by 70-year-old Warren Hacker of Appleton, Wisconsin collided with a vehicle driven by 83-year-old Hadley Thompson from Pine Island. Both drivers died at the scene on Friday afternoon. A passenger in the S-U-V – 71-year-old Patricia Hacker – was taken to a Rochester hospital with life-threatening injuries.
>>ATV Passenger Suffers Multiple Injuries in St. Louis County Crash
(Orr, MN) — A rider from Pine City is hospitalized after an A-T-V crash Sunday night near Orr in northeastern Minnesota. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says the side-by-side A-T-V flipped over on a trail southeast of Elephant Lake. The passenger suffered multiple injuries and was taken to the hospital by ambulance. Deputies are reminding riders to wear proper safety gear and to operate A-T-Vs within their capabilities.
>>Man and Woman Injured in House Fire near Alexandria
(Alexandria, MN) — Two people are being treated at the H-C-M-C Burn Center for injuries suffered in a house fire near Alexandria. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office says a woman was still inside the burning home when the fire was reported late Saturday night. Crews found a man outside covered in black soot and learned that he re-entered the home to rescue the female occupant. Deputies say Dale and Janice Petersen were taken to a hospital in Alexandria before being airlifted to Minneapolis. Their home is considered a total loss, and the State Fire Marshal’s Office is working to determine the cause of the fire.
>>Farmers Urged to Use Caution When Applying Pesticides, Fertilizer this Spring
(St. Paul, MN) — The state Department of Agriculture is urging Minnesotans to take care when using pesticides and fertilizers. Supervisor Christine Wicks says if you do it yourself, read and follow all label directions, be conscious about the weather conditions, and purchase the right amount for what you need. Wicks says if you decide to hire a professional, make sure they’re properly certified and trained and that you get an application record once they’ve completed the work. More tips can be found on the Department of Ag’s website.
>>Timberwolves to Face Thunder in NBA Western Conference Finals
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Timberwolves will play the Oklahoma City Thunder in the N-B-A Western Conference Finals. The Thunder advanced with a 125-93 win over the Denver Nuggets in Game 7 of the semifinals on Sunday. The Wolves travel to O-K-C for Game 1 of the best-of-seven series Tuesday night. Game 2 is also at the Paycom Center on Thursday. The series moves to Target Center for Games 3 and 4 on Saturday and Monday. The Timberwolves and Thunder split four games during the regular season.
>>Unbeaten Minnesota Lynx Top the Sparks Sunday in LA
(Los Angeles, CA) — The Minnesota Lynx improved to 2-and-0 with an 89-75 win over the Sparks Sunday in Los Angeles. Napheesa Collier led Minnesota with 23 points, Alanna Smith added 18, Courtney Williams had 13, and Jessica Shepard finished with 11 and ten rebounds. The Lynx host Paige Bueckers and the Wings Wednesday night in the home opener. Minnesota opened the season Friday night with a 99-84 victory at Dallas.
>>Twins 13-Game Win Streak Ends in Series Finale Loss at Milwaukee
(Milwaukee, WI) — The Minnesota Twins’ 13-game win streak is over following a 5-2 loss in the series finale Sunday in Milwaukee. Royce Lewis hit a solo home run in the fourth inning and was robbed of the game-tying, two-run homer by Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio in the eighth. Chourio jumped and reached his glove over the wall in left-center field to make the catch. Twins starter Zebby Matthews gave up all four Milwaukee runs over three innings and had five strikeouts. Minnesota returns to Target Field tonight (Mon 6:40pm ) to open a divisional series with the Cleveland Guardians.
