>>Minnesota House passes ‘Safe Storage’ Gun Safety Legislation
(St. Paul, MN) — After a marathon debate the Democrat-controlled Minnesota House, late last night (Thurs) over Republicans’ vigorous objections, passed a gun “safe storage” bill. It would make it illegal to store firearms unless they’re unloaded and trigger-locked — or in a locked storage unit or gun room. Backers say it will reduce deaths and serious injuries from children accessing guns, and fewer Minnesotans will take their own lives. The longest and most heated debate came when Republicans proposed that victims of stalking and those seeking restraining orders be exempt from gun-storage requirements. The G-O-P also proposed relaxing requirements for those who fear imminent danger from a family member, but the amendment was voted down.
>>Office of Cannabis Management bill on Minnesota Senate floor Friday
(St. Paul, MN) — The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) policy bill is being debated today (Fri 10am start) on the Minnesota Senate floor. Republican Senator Zack Duckworth of Lakeville says allowing some applicants to start growing cannabis this summer is critical to launching the industry. Those applicants must receive pre-approval for a cannabis license before they can begin planting. Senator Lindsey Port of Burnsville says early cultivation will help operators prepare for retail sales in 2025. The bill also includes rules for issuing cannabis business licenses, packaging for adult-use products, and moving the Office of Medical Cannabis under the O-C-M.
>>Pro-Palestine Encampment Taken Down on U of M Campus
(Minneapolis, MN) — The pro-Palestine encampment is gone from the University of Minnesota East Bank campus in Minneapolis. All the tents came down Thursday after an agreement was reached between U of M interim President Jeff Ettinger and UMN Divest Coalition and student groups. Twelve academic buildings that were closed during protests on the Northrop Mall have been re-opened. Members of a student coalition will meet with the Board of Regents on May 10th. The groups have been calling on the U of M to end its financial investments in Israel due to the ongoing war in Gaza.
>>Champlin Man Convicted of Assaulting 2 Washington County Sheriff’s Deputies
(Stillwater, MN) — A Champlin man will be sentenced in July for the felony assault of two Washington County sheriff’s deputies during a September 2021 traffic stop in Hugo. Twenty-seven-year-old Anyeth Deng was convicted Wednesday on seven charges including fourth-degree assault on a peace officer and threats of violence. The complaint says Deng became aggressive when placed in handcuffs and punched a deputy four times in the face and head. Another deputy suffered a head injury taking Deng to the ground. Deng also made graphic and violent threats against a deputy and his family to be carried out when he was released from jail.
>>Authorities Searching for Alexandria Bank Robbery Suspect
(Alexandria, MN) — Law enforcement in Douglas County continue to search for a suspect in an armed robbery Thursday at a Bremer Bank in Alexandria. Police say the man reportedly had a handgun and got away with an undisclosed amount of cash. A SWAT team led the search of a home in Alexandria last night but no arrests have been made. Investigators say video surveillance images of the suspect were captured at the bank. No one was hurt during the robbery. The Alexandria Police Department plans to give an update today (Fri).
>>Royalton Man Killed in Morrison County ATV Crash
(Little Falls, MN) — Authorities in Morrison County are investigating an A-T-V crash that left a Royalton man dead. Sheriff’s deputies say 21-year-old John Poppen was riding Wednesday night on the Soo Line Trail when he lost control and struck a tree. First responders tried to save him, but Poppen later died at the scene. The report says Poppen wasn’t wearing a helmet.
>>Minneapolis Man ID’d in Deadly Bloomington Pedestrian Crash
(Bloomington, MN) — Authorities are identifying the pedestrian struck and killed by a vehicle Wednesday night in Bloomington. Officers say 58-year-old Joey Williams from Minneapolis was hit while walking along a local road near the backwaters of the Minnesota River, east of Interstate-35. Officers say Williams was brought to H-C-M-C where he died less than an hour later.
>>St. Cloud Man Charged for Attempting to Rob a Store at Knifepoint
(St. Cloud, MN) — A St. Cloud man faces felony charges for allegedly trying to rob a convenience store at knifepoint. Officers were called to a Marathon gas station around 10 pm Wednesday on a report of a man with a knife fighting a store employee. They say 27-year-old Jonathan Jovel attempted to buy $130 worth of T-H-C vape products but was told to leave when he didn’t have enough money. Jovel allegedly returned to the store 30 minutes later, jumped over the counter, and threatened the employee with death for all the store’s money. Jovel’s appears in court today (FRI).
>>Dangerous Man Brewing to Open Outdoor Taproom in Maple Lake
(Maple Lake, MN) — Dangerous Man Brewing is planning to build an outdoor taproom and beer garden outside its production facility in Maple Lake this summer. The brewery closed its popular taproom in northeast Minneapolis after 13 years last fall and moved about an hour west to Wright County. The company started a crowdfunding campaign with a goal of raising 165 thousand dollars for the project. Officials say many folks have reached out to Dangerous Man asking them to create another taproom and space.
>>WalletHub Survey Ranks Minnesota the 5th Best State for Working Moms
(Undated) — A new survey from WalletHub ranks Minnesota as the fifth best state to live in for working moms. The survey-based rankings on the potential for career advancement, equitable pay, robust parental leave policies, and high-quality childcare, healthcare, and schools. In comparison, neighboring Wisconsin ranked ninth, North Dakota is 13th, and Iowa ranks 26th.
