>>GOP and DFL State Conventions Begin in Duluth and Rochester
(Undated) — Democrats are gathering in Rochester and Republicans in Duluth for their state conventions this weekend. The G-O-P convention kicked off last night with a debate featuring six candidates for governor. Lisa Demuth, Mike Lindell, and Kendall Qualls are considered the frontrunners in the race. St. Olaf College Professor Dan Hofrenning says House Speaker Demuth is the most well-known candidate and has shown she has skills in lawmaking. He adds, “I think her opponents haven’t really demonstrated that they have the capacity to win an election.” My Pillow founder Lindell says he will not abide by the party’s endorsement.
>>Protesters in Rochester Call on DFL Leaders to Stop Funding Middle East Wars
(Rochester, MN) — Protesters at the D-F-L State Convention in Rochester will be calling on state leaders to stop supporting conflicts in the Middle East. The Minnesota Anti-War Committee and Rochester Solidarity with Palestine are using the slogan, “D-F-L, grow a spine! Stop funding genocide and war crimes.” They’re demanding complete divestment of Minnesota money from what they call apartheid Israel, and an end to the US-Israeli war on Iran and Lebanon. Organizers claim D-F-L members condemn President Trump’s agenda while investing in corporations that are instrumental in executing his policies.
>>Gun Violence Prevention Groups to Post Eviction Notices to Lawmakers at Capitol
(St. Paul, MN) — Gun violence prevention advocates will fill the State Capitol this afternoon (Fri) ready to post eviction notices on the doors of lawmakers who blocked anti-gun legislation during the session. Volunteers with the organizations, Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, will post the eviction notices on the doors of Republicans who blocked all attempts for the gun violence prevention package to be heard in the House. The Senate passed the legislation that included a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines by one vote. The groups will also deliver ‘thank you’ notes to the lawmakers who voted in favor of the package.
>>Man Dies in Apparent Fall at Palisade Head on Lake Superior’s North Shore
(Two Harbors, MN) — Authorities in northeastern Minnesota are investigating the death of a man found at the bottom of a cliff at Palisade Head along the North Shore. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office says it received a report from a Tettegouche State Park ranger Wednesday of a body located on the rocks. Deputies say the victim has been identified as 29-year-old Seth Pipho from Minneapolis. Palisade Head is a rock formation that rises about 300 feet above Lake Superior and on a clear day you can see the Split Rock Lighthouse and the Sawtooth Mountains.
>>Suspect Arrested in Death of Brooklyn Park Man Missing Since March
(Brooklyn Park, MN) — Police in Brooklyn Park say a suspect is in custody after finding the body of a missing man in a drainage pond this week. Officers say 27-year-old Jontae Lee had been since a fight on March 11th with his friend Johnny Robinson. Authorities had been searching for more than two months for Lee. Minnesota B-C-A agents used an electronics-sniffing canine to search the pond on Tuesday and located Lee’s body partially submerged in some reeds. Investigators say 22-year-old Robinson was arrested Thursday for probable cause murder.
>>International Falls Man Federally Indicted in Child Kidnapping Case
(Minneapolis, MN) — An International Falls man has been federally indicted on charges stemming from the January kidnapping of a young child from Zimmerman. Prosecutors say 40-year-old Joseph Bragg abducted the child after she got off the school bus and was stopped by police near Albert Lea hours later with the victim in his vehicle. Bragg also faces charges of producing and possessing child sexual abuse material involving a second minor. He made his initial federal court appearance Thursday and remains in custody.
>>Austin Man Indicted on Federal Child Exploitation Charges
(Minneapolis, MN) — A 28-year-old Austin man is facing multiple federal charges accusing him of exploiting children online. The U-S Attorney’s Office says Shadow Mallan used social media platforms, including Snapchat and Discord, to solicit sexually explicit images and videos from minors around the world. Investigators allege he threatened victims with violence or the release of explicit material if they refused to comply. Authorities say evidence suggests hundreds of minors may have been targeted over several years. Federal prosecutors say Mallan was already a registered predatory offender due to a 2020 conviction in Mower County. He remains in custody pending trial.
>>Air Quality Alert Issued for Twin Cities, East Central Minnesota Friday
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is issuing an air quality alert for the Twin Cities, the Tribal Nation of Prairie Island and east central Minnesota from noon to 9 p.m. today due to elevated levels of ground-level ozone. Air quality is expected to reach the orange A-Q-I category, considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, including people with asthma and other respiratory conditions, children, teenagers, and those working or exercising outdoors. Residents who are sensitive to air pollution are encouraged to limit prolonged outdoor activity during the alert period.
>>Chippewa National Forest Launches Online Firewood Permit Sales
(Cass Lake, MN) — Getting a firewood permit for the Chippewa National Forest is now easier. The U.S. Forest Service has launched a new online E-Permit system that allows residents to purchase firewood permits from a computer or mobile device without visiting a Forest Service office. Officials say the new system offers a more convenient way to obtain permits while traditional in-person sales will continue at local Forest Service offices. The Forest Service plans to expand the online platform in the future to include additional special forest product permits.
>>Minnesota Foster Families Needed as Thousands of Youth Seek Support
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota continues to face a need for foster families, with more than 9,000 children and teens experiencing out-of-home care last year. Samantha Van Bogart, director of social work and domestic programs at Children’s Home, says older youth are especially in need of stable, supportive homes. While becoming a foster parent can seem overwhelming, Van Bogart says Children’s Home helps guide prospective foster parents through the licensing process every step of the way. She says providing a safe home and a caring relationship can make a lasting difference in a child’s life.
‘
>>Minnesota Lynx Play Sky in Chicago Again Friday Night
(Chicago, IL) — The Minnesota Lynx go for a fourth win in a row tonight (Fri) when they play the Sky in Chicago. Minnesota improved to 5-2 with a 96-81 victory over the Atlanta Dream Wednesday at Target Center. The Lynx beat the Sky 85-75 last Saturday at Wintrust Arena. Natasha Howard led Minnesota with 26 points and 14 rebounds in that road victory. Chicago is 3-4 this season.
‘
