>Natalie Hudson Sworn in as Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice
(St. Paul, MN) — New state Supreme Court Chief Justice Natalie Hudson says it’s important to keep Minnesota courts free from partisan influence. Hudson told an audience of the state’s top political and legal leaders at her official swearing-in Monday, “It is a responsibility shared by every person in this state. We all have a stake in a judiciary that is free from big money and partisanship.” Justice Hudson said each and every citizen has to guard, protect and nuture the promise of equality and justice in the Declaration of Independence. She is the first person of color to serve as Supreme Court chief justice in Minnesota.
>CAIR-MN Sues Edina Schools for Suspending Students Supporting Palestine
(Edina, MN) — The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations is suing Edina Public Schools for suspending two students who participated in a walkout in support of Palestine. CAIR-MN attorney Bruce Nestor says he filed a complaint with U-S Office of Civil Rights because the suspensions were,” based on the content of their speech, and Edina High School authorities accused them of being antisemitic on the basis of using the chant during the walkout of ‘from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.’ Edina school officials have not responded to a request for comment on the lawsuit.
>GOP Group Calls for Removal of State Republican Party Chair Hann
(Undated) — A group of State Central Committee members wants to oust Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman David Hann (HAN). The group, calling itself Rebuild the Minnesota G-O-P, cites what it calls “Hann’s leadership failures, including plunging the party into debt and overseeing one of the worst election losses in Minnesota history in 2022.” Crow Wing County G-O-P member Dan Willett says, “We can no longer stand by and let Chair David Hann continue to further destroy this party.” State Republican Party Executive Director Anna Mathews responds, “Like in all political parties, there are members… who disagree with leadership from time to time” and notes that “we have passionate activists with diverse perspectives on how Republicans can win.”
>4-Year-Old Boy in Critical Condition After Falling Through Pond Ice
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office says a four-year-old boy is in critical condition after falling through the ice on a pond in Bryn Mawr (brin marr) Park in Minneapolis. The child was found unresponsive Sunday and taken to H-C-M-C for treatment. Investigators haven’t released any other information about the incident. There is partial fencing around the retention pond in the park. Officers say ice conditions are not yet safe for walking and should be at least four inches thick.
>Deer Harvested in Southeast Minnesota Tests Positive for CWD
(Wabasha, MN) — The Minnesota D-N-R says a deer harvested during the firearms opener near Wabasha tested positive for chronic wasting disease. The hunter shot the adult male within the southeastern Minnesota C-W-D surveillance zone where it is required to test deer on opening weekend. The D-P-A 342 zone was added this year in response to C-W-D detections in wild deer in bordering Buffalo County, Wisconsin last year. Most of the chronic wasting diseases cases in the state have occurred in southeastern Minnesota.
>Minnesota Wild Fires Head Coach Evason, Hires Hynes
(St. Paul, MN) — Dean Evason (EV’-uh-son) is out as head coach of the Minnesota Wild and John Hynes is taking over. Wild general manager Bill Guerin (GAIR’-in) fired Evason and assistant coach Bob Woods Monday as the team rides a seven-game losing streak. The club announced the hiring of former Nashville Predators head coach John Hynes as Evason’s replacement. Hynes will be introduced as the Wild’s new head coach this morning (Tues 9am) at the Xcel Energy Center.
>Vikings Fall to Bears on Monday Night Football at Home
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Vikings fall to 6-and-6 after a 12-10 loss to the 4-and-8 Chicago Bears on Monday night at U-S Bank Stadium. The Bears hit a 30-yard field goal with ten seconds remaining to seal the road victory. Vikings quarterback Josh Dobbs threw for 185 yards, one touchdown, and four interceptions. Minnesota had a 10-9 lead and recovered a fumble late in the fourth quarter, but failed to get a first down and punted back to Chicago. The Vikings have a bye this weekend.