>>Minnesota Senate Passes Agriculture Budget Bill
(St. Paul, MN) — Another hurdle cleared for the state agriculture budget. The Minnesota Senate passed the ag finance bill on 43 to 23 vote Wednesday. The Senate version also funds increased protection and testing for avian flu in Minnesota. Other provisions increase state funding for food shelves, support the farm to school program for student meals, and boost services for farmer mental health. The bill now moves to a conference committee which will combine the Senate and House versions of the ag budget.
>>Governor Walz to Purchase 2025 Fishing License on Thursday
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz is purchasing his 2025 fishing license today (Thurs 10am) and will be joined by Minnesota D-N-R Commissioner Sarah Strommen (STROH’-men). The governor’s office says Walz and Strommen will also highlight the impact of fishing on outdoor recreation and tourism in the state. The 77th Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener is May 9th and 10th in Crosslake.
>>Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board Welcomes Senator Heintzeman
(Eveleth, MN) — The Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board is welcoming its newest member, Senator-elect Keri Heintzeman of Nisswa. Heintzeman won the Minnesota Senate District 6 special election on Tuesday to replace ex-Senator Justin Eichorn. The Grand Rapids Republican had been chair of the I-R-R-R Board before resigning from the Senate. Robert Farnsworth of Hibbing is the new chair.
>>Political Analyst says US Senate Race Wide Open with Congresswoman Craig
(Eagan, MN) — Minnesota’s 2026 U-S Senate race is wide open now that Congresswoman Angie Craig has decided to run. Carlton College political analyst Steve Schier says Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan may have an advantage in getting the D-F-L endorsement. Schier says Craig will be competitive in the primary because she will have a lot of money from state and national sources, and she is an incumbent member of the House. Schier thinks it will be a challenge for former state Senator Melissa Lopez Franzen to compete with Craig and Flanagan. U-S Senator Tina Smith chose not to run for re-election next year.
>>US House Committee Passes Finstad’s Save SBA from Sanctuary Cities Act
(Washington, DC) — Minnesota’s U-S Small Business Administration (SBA) district office would be moved out of downtown Minneapolis under a bill approved by a U-S House committee. Republican Congressman Brad Finstad introduced the Save S-B-A from Sanctuary Cities Act. The legislation calls for removing and relocating S-B-A offices in jurisdictions that do not support the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies. Finstad says he’s proud the House Small Business committee is “taking a stand against the failed policies of Democrat-run cities.” The Minnesota S-B-A Office approved nearly two thousand loans for 849-million dollars in 2024.
>>MnDOT Awards $10 Million for 12 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
(St. Paul, MN) — MnDOT is awarding more than $10 million for 12 new electric vehicle charging stations across Minnesota. Despite the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program being recently suspended and its future uncertain, MnDOT was able to secure $4.5 million for this second round of funding and will be providing another $4.7 million in state funding. MnDOT Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger says while they’re disappointed by the Trump administration’s decision to suspend the program, the second round of funding will allow them to continue the work. The stations will be located along Interstates 90 and 94.
>>2025 Stillwater Lift Bridge Lift Schedule Underway
(Stillwater, MN) — The 2025 lift schedule is now in effect for the Stillwater Lift Bridge. MnDOT says warm spring weather and numerous lift requests prompted the opening on Wednesday. The bridge will be staffed from 8 am to midnight every day and will lift every half hour if boat traffic is present. The bridge is used by pedestrians and cyclists to cross the St. Croix River between Minnesota and Wisconsin.
>>Timberwolves Beat Lakers in Game 5 of Playoffs Advance to West Semifinals
(Los Angeles, CA) — The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the L-A Lakers 103-96 in Game 5 of the playoffs Wednesday night to advance to the Western Conference semifinals. Rudy Gobert went off for 27 points and 24 rebounds as the Wolves closed out the first-round series 4-1. Julius Randle scored 23 and Anthony Edwards had 15 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. Minnesota will face either Golden State or Houston in the second round. The Warriors lead the Rockets 3-2 in that first-round series. Tickets for three potential Wolves home games go on sale Friday at noon.
>>Wild Face Elimination in Game 6 of Playoffs at the Xcel Energy Center
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Wild need to win Game 6 of the playoffs over the Golden Knights tonight (Thurs 6:30pm) at The X to keep their postseason alive. Vegas leads Minnesota three games-to-two in the first-round series. The Knights topped the Wild 3-2 in overtime in Game 5 Tuesday night on home ice. Filip Gustavsson will be back in net for Minnesota after leaving the game Tuesday after two periods due to illness. The Wild are 5-and-5 all time in Game 6 of the playoffs.
