>>Minnesota Senate Approves Changes to Sick and Safe Time Law
(St. Paul, MN) — Changes could be coming to Minnesota’s Earned Sick and Safe Time law. Senators passed a bill Tuesday which includes exemptions for small businesses and family farms. D-F-L Senator Grant Hauschild from Hermantown says this will help businesses and labor. He told members, “Minnesota will have the most generous earned sick and safe time policy and paid family leave policy in the country and I’m proud of that.” Hauschild says he heard from small business owners, farmers, counties, and schools who were all concerned about being held to the same law as larger companies. A similar bill is waiting in the Minnesota House.
>>Homeowner Protections Bill Passes Minnesota Senate
(St. Paul, MN) — A reform bill passed by the Minnesota Senate would offer homeowners new protections in dealing with H-O-A’s and common interest communities. Republican Senator Eric Lucero of St. Michael says the bill protects against conflicts of interest within the H-O-A and limits fines and incidents leading to foreclosure. Lucero called it a “pro consumer protection bill” with common sense reforms. But D-F-L Senator Ron Latz of St. Louis Park argued the bill has language that is confusing and could lead to lawsuits. The bill passed 44 to 22 in the Senate and now heads to the House.
>>New Study Finds Grandma’s Marathon Generates $40 Million in Economic Activity
(Duluth, MN) — A new U of M Extension study finds the economic impact of Grandma’s Marathon has nearly doubled since 2019. Spokesman Zach Schneider says the previous study found race weekend generated 20 million dollars for the Duluth area, but the 2024 numbers show it brings in close 40 million. Schneider says Grandma’s Marathon draws around 50 thousand people and they spend money in hotels, bars, restaurants, and local retailers. The study found every person spent more than 176 dollars per day, participants traveled with 2.7 people and spent 2.5 nights in the region.
>>Federal Judge Orders Release of MSU-Mankato Student Detained by ICE
(Mankato, MN) — A federal judge is ordering the release of an international Minnesota State University-Mankato student, who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Mohammed Hoque from Bangladesh has been jailed since March 28th. U-S District Judge Jerry Blackwell says Hoque should be released because he was targeted for his social media posts. Hoque filed a lawsuit claiming he was being detained unlawfully and believes he was arrested because of his support of Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas.
>>St. Louis Park Man Arrested for Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Materials
(St. Louis Park, MN) — A Robbinsdale Area Schools employee is in custody for allegedly possessing child sexual abuse materials in St. Louis Park. Police searched a home Tuesday morning and arrested the suspect pending felony charges. A Robbinsdale Area Schools spokesperson confirms the man is a district employee, providing technical support for staff and systems. Officials say the suspect had no regular, unsupervised access to students. The St. Louis Park P-D is still investigating the case.
>>AAA Minnesota Reminder Real ID Requirements Start Wednesday
(St.Louis Park, MN) — The deadline is finally here (5/7) and you’ll now need a Real I-D to be federally compliant. Triple-A Minnesota’s Brynna Knapp says you need one to fly domestically, enter a military base or some federal buildings. You can visit your local Minnesota D-M-V office to get your Real I-D. Knapp says you must bring several accepted documents that help verify your identity, citizenship status, and current address. Y ou can also make an appointment, which can speed up the process. There’s more on the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website.
>>E-Bicyclist Killed in Crash with Car in Winona
(Winona, MN) — Police in Winona are investigating a crash that left a 67-year-old man on an E-bike dead. The car and E-bike collided Monday night and an officer says solar glare from the sun may have been a contributing factor. The victim died at the scene. A police spokesperson says the victim was likely not wearing a helmet. His name hasn’t been released.
>>160 Minnesota Schools Participating in Bike to School Day
(St. Paul, MN) — Drivers might notice more bicycles on the roads this morning and afternoon (Wed) in Minnesota. This is Bike to School Day across the state. MnDOT says more than 160 schools and thousands of students are riding their bikes to and from class. Officials say the annual event is a healthy way to promote safe biking and walking in an academic setting. Students who don’t live near their school can be dropped off with their bikes a few blocks away.
>>Timberwolves Fall to Warriors in Game 1 of Western Conference Semifinals
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Timberwolves missed their first 16 three-point shot attempts in a 99-88 home loss to the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. The Wolves scored a season-low 31 points in the first half and trailed by double digits most of the game Tuesday night. Anthony Edwards finished with 23 points and 14 points after a poor shooting first half, Naz Reid scored 20, and Julius Randle added 16 points. Golden State point guard Steph Curry left the game with a hamstring injury in the second quarter. Game 2 is Thursday night at Target Center.
