>>Senate Passes Bill Establishing Office of Inspector General in Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) — Senate Republicans and Democrats are showing strong support for creating an Office of Inspector General to stop fraud and waste in Minnesota. Republican Steve Drazkowski of Mazeppa told members, “This bill is a great start to Minnesota to reclaim its dignity.” The bill passed the Senate Thursday and moves to the Minnesota House for discussion. Governor Tim Walz was asked if he’d support it. The governor responded, “The theft of public funds needs to be a top priority. It needs to be prosecuted. We’ve seen people take advantage of loopholes and continue to do so. I’m open to what they bring. I’m just not convinced amongst the experts that it is the most efficient way to get to what we’re trying to get at.”
>>Senator Smith Speaks at State Capitol Rally for Boundary Waters Canoe Area
(St. Paul, MN) — Hundreds of Minnesotans held a rally inside the State Capitol Thursday to fight for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. The crowd got fired up when U-S Senator Tina Smith gave a rousing speech defending this precious Minnesota land. Smith said, “I am here to say with you, Hell no! Not this mine. Not this mine, not this place.” Senator Smith says Republicans in Washington are trying to sell some of the land near the B-W-C-A to an international copper nickel mine company. Organizers say pollution from that mine would cause devastating damage to the Boundary Waters.
>>Minnesota Health Officials Warn About Possible Federal Cuts to Medicaid
(Undated) — Healthcare officials in Minnesota are warning about what possible cuts to Medicaid could mean for Minnesotans. Minnesota Hospital Association President and C-E-O Doctor Rahul Koranne says if cuts go into effect, struggling hospitals would be forced to cut things like labor and delivery services, which impacts people even not on Medicaid. Koranne says the not-for-profit system of care of hospitals in Minnesota is already fragile and any Medicaid cut would break it. The Medicaid program would be cut by at least $880 billion under the current budget proposal being considered by Republicans in the U-S House.
>>Anglers Gearing Up for Minnesota Fishing Opener This Weekend
(Crosslake, MN) — Excitement is building for opening weekend of the fishing season in Minnesota. Around a half-million anglers are expected to wet a line on Saturday morning. The 77th Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener kicks off today (Fri) in Crosslake in Crow Wing County. Governor Walz and others are taking part in several events including walleye fry stocking on Big Trout Lake. Walz and leaders of the Minnesota House and Senate will hit the water together tomorrow morning to open the walleye season.
>>DNR Encourages Minnesotans to Take Wildfires Seriously
(Grand Rapids, MN) — More than 475 wildfires have been reported to the Minnesota D-N-R since April 1st. Leanne Langeberg of the Interagency Fire Center says the recent sunny, warm weather is increasing the fire risk in parts of the state. She says last year’s plants have dried out over the winter and they have no capability to really retain any type of moisture. Officials are encouraging Minnesotans to take the risk of wildfires seriously this weekend. She says campfires should be no larger than three feet high and three feet in diameter under these conditions.
>>Campfire Engulfs Cabin, Spreads to Woods near Lake Vermillion in St. Louis County
(Greenwood Township, MN) — Authorities in northeastern Minnesota are remining residents the fire danger is high after a campfire spread to a cabin and woods near Lake Vermillion. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says the cabin was fully engulfed when deputies and firefighters responded Thursday afternoon. Multiple fire departments were called to contain the fire, stopping the spread to other structures. No injuries were reported.
>>2 Men Found in Bemidji, Arrested for Attempted Scott County Homicide
(Bemidji, MN) — Two men named as suspects in a shooting in Jordan are under arrest in Bemidji in northern Minnesota. Bemidji police and the Minnesota B-C-A executed two searches on Thursday and took David Scott and Chauncey Oothoudt in custody. Scott County authorities say Scott and Oothoudt are accused in a shooting Sunday night in Jordan that left a man in critical condition. The suspects fled the scene before law enforcement arrived. Both suspects are awaiting charges from the Scott County Attorney’s Office.
>>Authorities ID 14-Year-Old Boy Shot to Death in Downtown Minneapolis
(Minneapolis, MN) — Authorities are identifying the 14-year-old boy killed in a shooting in downtown Minneapolis near the Federal Reserve building. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office says Thor Walsh died late Monday night in the hospital of multiple gunshot wounds. Police said a group of teens were involved in an altercation when shots were fired, and Walsh was shot. Officers have not made any arrests in the case.
>>Timberwolves Rout Warriors in Game 2 of Western Conference Semifinals
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Timberwolves routed the Golden State Warriors 117-93 at Target Center last night (Thurs) to even the Western Conference semifinals at one game apiece. Anthony Edwards left the court in the first half with an ankle injury but returned and finished with 20 points. Julius Randle led the Wolves with 24 points and 11 assists and Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 20 off the bench. Golden State point guard Steph Curry did not play because of a hamstring injury. The best-of-seven series moves to San Francisco for Game 3 on Saturday night.
