>>Emmer Rips Democrats for ‘Misleading Public’ Over Epstein Files
(Washington, DC) — There was overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress to advance a measure allowing the release of Jeffrey Epstein files. But House Republican Majority Whip Tom Emmer accused the other party of “opposing President Trump and his successful agenda at every turn.” Emmer told reporters, “And where Democrats chase headlines and mislead the public, Republicans are actually pursuing transparency and justice. The contrast could not be more clear. Republicans govern; Democrats obstruct.” Congresswoman Ilhan Omar said in a statement, “the American people deserve to know who enabled Jeffrey Epstein, who looked the other way, and who’s still being protected. ” President Trump has said he’ll sign the measure.
>>Community Vigil in Response to St. Paul ICE Raid
(St. Paul, MN) — There’s a community vigil this morning (Wed) at the Bro-Tex facility in St. Paul following Tuesday’s federal raid. The Immigrant Defense Network says ICE, the F-B-I, and other agencies stormed the workplace, detained workers, and deployed pepper spray at protestors. St. Paul police say they were notified, but Mayor Melvin Carter says the city was not informed ahead of time. Organizers call the raid “an assault on our community” and say the vigil honors those detained and demand accountability.
>>House Fraud Prevention Committee Looks at Paid Family and Medical Leave
(St. Paul, MN) – The Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave Program will face questions this morning (Wed) from the House Fraud Prevention Committee. The new program launches on January 1st and will allow eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks for both family and medical reasons. Employees can take a maximum of 20 weeks total in one calendar year. The Department of Employment and Economic Development will oversee the program. Representatives from DEED will answer questions from state lawmakers on how they will prevent fraud from entering the program.
>>Minnesota Senate Leaders Call for Bipartisanship Next Session
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Senate leaders have a bipartisan message before the next session now that the chamber is back to the full 67 members. D-F-L Majority Leader Erin Murphy says, “We need to show Minnesotans that they can have faith in us together to do the work of the people with respect and with them in mind.” G-O-P Minority Leader Mark Johnson said about the work ahead, “It’s not the debate. It’s not the what’s going to be happening. It’s not going to be the partisanship. It’s going to be how we move this state forward into the next phase.” Democrats hold a 34-33 majority in the Senate.
>>Authorities ID Bagley Man Fatally Shot by Clearwater County Deputy
(Bagley, MN) — Authorities are identifying the northern Minnesota man fatally shot following a police chase last Thursday in Clearwater County. The B-C-A says 75-year-old Dennis Hoie of Bagley fired a flare towards Sheriff’s Deputy Noah Hallman and he returned fire, striking Hoie. First responders tried to save him, but Hoie died at the scene. A deputy on the driver’s side of Hoie’s pickup sustained a graze injury to his head that did not require medical attention. Investigators say Hoie was wanted on outstanding felony warrants and resisted arrest at a gas station before leading police and deputies on a pursuit. Hallman’s body camera recorded the incident.
>>State Patrol Lieutenant Accused of Groping Female Trooper at Camp Ripley
(Little Falls, MN) — A Minnesota State Patrol lieutenant is charged with fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct in Morrison County for an alleged assault on a female trooper during a training session at Camp Ripley. Thirty-year-old Lieutenant Jacob Christopherson is accused of groping the trooper several times around a fire pit while the two were off-duty in August. The woman says Christopherson approached her, sat much closer than necessary, and made comments that were out of character for their usually professional relationship. Christopherson was placed on administrative leave.
>>Two Boys Safe After Breaking Through the Ice in Becker County
(Osage, MN) — Two boys are safe after falling through the ice while fishing on a Becker County lake Tuesday afternoon. Deputies were called to Straight Lake in Osage and the D-N-R arrived with a boat and broke through the thin ice near the public access. A conservation officer and a Hubbard County deputy reached the 13- and 14-year-old boys, who had been riding in a cargo sled when the ice gave way. The officers brought the boys back to shore, where E-M-S checked them out. The sheriff’s office is urging people to stay off area lakes, noting that unseasonably warm November weather has left ice conditions unsafe.
>>Professional Women’s Volleyball Team Coming to Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) — Professional women’s volleyball is coming to Minnesota for the first time in January 2027. League One Volleyball President Rosie Spaulding says choosing Minnesota as its next team was an easy decision. She says Minnesota has one of the highest youth participation rates in the country, and we see sellout matches at the high school level and the collegiate level, and a lot of amazing youth clubs. Spaulding says they will start recruiting players and coaches in the next few months. The team will join Major League Volleyball and play its games at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul.
>>Gopher Men’s Basketball Rallies Past Chicago State at Williams Arena
(Minneapolis, MN) — The University of Minnesota men’s basketball team topped winless Chicago State 66-54 Tuesday night at Williams Arena. The Golden Gophers were down 47-45 with 6:41 remaining before going on a 19-9 run. Cade Tyson led the U of M with 22 points and Jaylen Crocker-Johnson added 15. Minnesota plays San Francisco on Saturday afternoon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
