>>GOP Continues Push to Force Senator Mitchell to Resign
(St. Paul, MN) — Republicans continue their push for Democratic Senator Nicole Mitchell of Woodbury to resign following her felony burglary arrest in Detroit Lakes. There were tense moments on Tuesday when Mazeppa (muh-ZEP-uh) Senator Steve Drazkowski said he’s heard from multiple people, and asked Majority Leader Erin Murphy, “Did you or any other member of your caucus ask Senator Mitchell to resign?” Murphy responded she’s struck by the persistence of the Republican minority to “spend their time as judge and jury.” She also told him, “”I sense a rush to judgment for a purpose that is not about integrity at all.” Drazkowski responded if no one in the Democratic caucus asked Mitchell to resign, Murphy would have said “no” instead of “a complicated dodge.”
>>Early Cultivation Added to Minnesota Senate Cannabis Policy Bill
(St. Paul, MN) — An amendment to the Minnesota Senate Office of Cannabis Management policy bill would allow some operators to begin growing plants as soon as this summer. Senator Lindsey Port of Burnsville says there is already pre-approval in the legislation and the O-C-M will use medical cannabis rules to do an early cultivation process. Cannabis advocates told the Senate Commerce Committee, “We need plants in the ground ASAP in order for this industry to get going.” Applicants would need to receive pre-approval for a license before they can begin cultivation. Retail sales are expected to start sometime next year. The bill now heads to the Senate floor.
>>Walz and Flanagan to Purchase Fishing Licenses, Tout Governor’s Opener
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan are purchasing their fishing licenses today (Wed 2pm) for the 2024 season. The governor’s office says they will also highlight the impact of the sport on Minnesota’s tourism economy. The Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener is May 10th and 11th on Lake Pepin in Lake City.
>>Judge in Kingsbury Murder Trial Considering Motion to Move Case
(Winona, MN) — A Winona County judge is considering a motion to move the trial of the man accused of killing Madeline Kingsbury . Defense attorneys argued Tuesday that Adam Fravel can’t get a fair trial in southeast Minnesota due to the publicity generated by Kingsbury’s disappearance and death last year. They showed the judge a survey that indicates 65 out of 100 residents believe Fravel is responsible for Kingsbury’s death. Fravel is facing first and second-degree murder charges in the alleged killing of 27-year-old Kingsbury, who is the mother of his two children. No word on when the judge will rule on the change of venue request.
>>Worker Killed at Dodge Center Manufacturing Plant
(Dodge Center, MN) — Authorities are investigating the death of an employee at a plant that makes concrete mixers in southeastern Minnesota. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office says 63-year-old Teofilo Gonzalez of Brownsdale died in an incident Monday at Con-Tech Manufacturing in Dodge Center. The report says a five-thousand-pound mixing drum fell on Gonzalez and co-workers used a forklift to life the drum off him. Deputies say he died at the scene. OSHA is looking into the incident.
>>High School Runners Struck by Car on Highway 61 in Forest Lake area
(Forest Lake, MN) — Two runners from Forest Lake Area High School are hospitalized after being hit by a car Tuesday afternoon on Highway 61 in Washington County. The Minnesota State Patrol says the two 15-year-old boys were with a group of track athletes when they were struck in a crosswalk. They were airlifted to the hospital but there’s no word on their current conditions. The report says an 84-year-old man from Lindstrom was driving the vehicle that hit the runners. State troopers aren’t releasing any further information.
>>Near Drowning in Otter Tail County Sends Young Child to Hospital
(Vergas, MN) — Authorities in west central Minnesota’s Otter Tail County are investigating what they call a near drowning in rural Vergas. Deputies say a 30-year-old woman reported that her one-and-a-half-year-old son was found not breathing after falling into open water Tuesday afternoon. First responders treated the child at the scene, and he was conscious before being airlifted to the hospital. The report says the woman was outside with three children when the boy fell into about four-and-a-half feet of standing water from recent rains. His current medical condition isn’t available.
>>Crookston Man Sent to Federal Prison for Producing Child Pornography
(Fergus Falls, MN) — A man from Crookston will spend more than 21 years in federal prison for recording the sexual abuse of a minor and producing child pornography. Court documents say the girl reported to school officials and Crookston police that 52-year-old Jorge Torres, Junior had been sexually abusing her for several years. Law enforcement searched his cell phone and found multiple images and videos depicting Torres’s sexual abuse of the minor victim and other child pornography. He was sentenced to 262 months after pleading guilty in December.
>>Minnesota Bear Hunting License Applications due Friday
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota D-N-R is reminding prospective bear hunters they have until Friday to apply for a license. Applications for the 2024 season can be submitted online, at any license agent, or by telephone at 888-665-4236. Complete instructions on how to apply, maps of permit areas, and a listing of permit availability for each area is available on the D-N-R’s website (mndnr.gov/hunting/bear).
>>Minnesota Twins top White Sox for 9th Straight Win
(Chicago, IL) — The Minnesota Twins topped the White Sox 6-5 in Chicago Tuesday night for their ninth straight victory. Max Kepler drove in the go-ahead run in the ninth inning on a sacrifice fly. Caleb Thielbar earned his first win in relief and Jhoan Duran (JUH’-wahn DUH’-rahn) picked up his first save of the season. The Twins improved to 16-and-13. Minnesota and Chicago wrap up the three-game series this afternoon (Wed 1pm) at Guaranteed Rate Field.
