>>Bill Creating Office of Inspector General Stalls in Minnesota House
(St. Paul, MN) — A bill to create a statewide Office of the Inspector General is stalled in the Minnesota House. It cruised through the Senate, and the author, D-F-L Senator Heather Gustafson of Vadnais Heights is frustrated that the House blocked it. She hopes bill gets a second chance during the special session. The O-I-G would serve as an independent watchdog focused on preventing fraud and misuse of tax dollars in state agencies and publicly funded programs. House leaders say they didn’t have the votes due to the $9 million price tag.
>>Cannabis Businesses, Supporters to Protest Tax Increase at State Capitol
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota cannabis and hemp business owners and supporters are rallying at the State Capitol today (Wed 4:20pm) against a 50 percent tax increase on products. The budget agreement reached last week would increase the state tax on cannabis products from ten to 15 percent. Protesters are calling on Governor Walz and legislative leaders to reject the tax hike proposed before the adult-use cannabis market has opened. Organizers warn it will drive up prices, fuel the illicit market, and threaten the survival of small cannabis businesses.
>>Minnesota’s 1st Off-Reservation Cannabis Retailer Opening in Moorhead
(Moorhead, MN) — The White Earth Nation is opening Minnesota’s first off-reservation tribal cannabis dispensary. Governor Walz signed a landmark cannabis regulatory compact with the tribe on Tuesday. Waabigwan Mashkiki will open in Moorhead off Highway 10. A retail store is also being opened in St. Cloud. The compact allows the White Earth Nation to run cannabis operations across the state, with regulatory oversight conducted in partnership with the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management — while honoring tribal jurisdiction and sovereignty.
>>Rail Advocates Celebrate 1-Year Anniversary of Borealis Passenger Train
(St. Paul, MN) — Rail advocates are celebrating the one-year anniversary today (Wed) of the Amtrak Borealis passenger service between St. Paul and Chicago. Brian Nelson of All Aboard Minnesota says more than 212 thousand people have taken the train which exceeds all ridership forecasts by over 60 thousand in the first year. The initial feasibility study estimated annual ridership to be about 155 thousand. Borealis anniversary events are planned today at the Union Depot in St. Paul and the Red Wing Depot.
>>Filing Wildfire Claims in Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) — The Insurance Federation of Minnesota is urging those who had property damaged or destroyed in the three recent wildfires in northeastern Minnesota to begin the claims process as soon as possible. C-E-O Aaron Cocking says you should contact your insurance company to review policy limits, deductibles and exclusions and ask about the next steps and deadlines. You should also take photos and videos of damaged structures and personal belongings before cleaning and repairs begin. Save receipts for expenses related to the loss including temporary lodging and transportation. Don’t rush to hire a contractor for repair work. Take time to verify credentials, check references and get multiple estimates before signing a contract.
>>Get Ready for Busy Waters this Memorial Day Weekend in Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesotans heading out on the water this Memorial Day weekend should prepare for busier than normal lakes and rivers. D-N-R safety coordinator Lisa Dugan says boat registrations have increased over the last handful of years, and there seems to be more and more people on the water each summer. Dugan says you should expect boat launches and access points to be crowded, so be patient and don’t be afraid to change your plans up a bit to accommodate. Dugan says make sure everyone on your craft has a life jacket and never operate a boat under the influence.
>>Michigan Man Convicted in April 2024 Stabbing Death of Duluth Woman
(Duluth, MN) — St. Louis County prosecutors say a Michigan man has been convicted in the stabbing death of a Duluth woman last April. A jury found 35-year-old Darrius Plummer of Canton guilty Tuesday night on two counts of second-degree murder in the killing of 26-year-old Chantel Moose. Trial evidence showed Plummer stabbed Moose in the neck outside a bar and fled the scene as another man shot at him. Plummer was later arrested by the U-S Marshals Service in Michigan. His sentencing hearing hasn’t been scheduled.
>>Police ID Man Found Dead in Bemidji Apartment
(Bemidji, MN) — Police in Bemidji are releasing more information about the man found dead Monday in an apartment building. Officers say it appears that 41-year-old Benjamin Martinez of Bemidji died of a drug overdose. A woman and child found in the unit were treated and released from the hospital. First responders smelled a strong odor coming from the apartment and there was a report of a gas leak. The building was evacuated but no leak was found. Crimestoppers is offering a one-thousand-dollar reward for tips that led to an arrest in the death of Martinez.
>>Minnesota State Patrol Squad Struck by SUV near Moorhead
(Moorhead, MN) — Authorities are investigating a crash involving a Minnesota State Patrol squad vehicle and an S-U-V in Clay County. The state trooper was responding to a call for assistance from Moorhead police Tuesday with his lights activated when the squad was hit. Deputies say State Trooper Ben Bauer and the four people in the S-U-V were all wearing seatbelts and no injuries were reported. The squad had to be towed from the scene.
>>Thunder Cruise Past Timberwolves in Game 1 of Western Conference Finals
(Oklahoma City, OK) — The Thunder used a strong second half to beat the Timberwolves 114-88 in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals Tuesday night on their home court. Oklahoma City outscored Minnesota 70-40 in the third and fourth quarters. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led O-K-C with 31 points and appeared to receive a lot of favorable foul calls from the referees. Julius Randle scored 20 of his 28 points in the first half and Anthony Edwards finished with 18 in the Wolves’ loss. Game 2 is Thursday night at the Paycom Center.
>>Minnesota Lynx Hosting Dallas Wings and Bueckers in Home Opener
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Lynx play the Dallas Wings tonight (Wed 7pm) in their home opener at Target Center. The Lynx beat the Wings 99-84 to open the regular season Friday night in Texas. Napheesa Collier scored 34 points and Courtney Williams added 25 to spoil the W-B-N-A debut of Paige Bueckers. The Hopkins native and U-Conn star had ten points and seven rebounds in her first career game. Bueckers will have a lot of family and friends in the arena tonight. The Lynx improved to 2-and-0 with a road win Sunday in Los Angeles.
