>>Political Analyst says Republicans Won’t Support Gun Control in Special Session
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz is planning to call a special session on gun safety in the next couple weeks. Carleton College political analyst Steve Schier says Democrats want to ban assault weapons in response to the Annunciation School shooting. Schier says, “I think you could put together a bipartisan package reforms on school safety, but what the governor is proposing is not gonna fly with Republican legislators.” He says G-O-P lawmakers will not support any gun control measures. The families of the Annunciation School shooting victims are calling on legislators to ban assault-style rifles and high-capacity magazines.
>>New Senate Subcommittee to Study Impact of Federal Cuts on Minnesotans
(St. Paul, MN) — The D-F-L Caucus has a new Senate subcommittee that will study the impact of federal cuts on Minnesotans. Senator Lindsey Port of Burnsville says with all these decisions coming fast and furious from Washington, this committee is needed. She said, “We’ve never had a committee like this in Minnesota’s history that we can find that is so focused on something federal ,but we’ve never needed it before.” Senator Port will chair the Select Subcommittee on Federal Impacts on Minnesotans and Economic Stability and Senator Carla Nelson of Rochester is the Republican lead.
>>Advocates Launch Website to Help Those Dealing with Mental Health Issues
(St. Cloud, MN) — A group of Minnesota volunteers and advocates has a new website to help people deal with depression and other mental health challenges. Founder Scott Roeder says he was inspired to create HelpingCentralMN.org after losing his son to suicide eight years ago. Roeder says the site includes links to mental health services, information on how to schedule an appointment, and videos explaining what to expect when you go in for a mental health care appointment. Roeder says there’s also information on the 9-8-8 line that people can call if they’re going through mental health issues.
>>Bethel University Helping Graduates Get a Job
(Arden Hills, MN) — Bethel University in St. Paul is pledging that all traditional undergraduates will get a job or acceptance into grad school after graduation, or they’ll provide free tuition for graduate credits or a job with the university. Enrollment Vice President Paul McGinnis says they’ve spent the past five years dialing in on what works. McGinnis says this aggressive commitment to students ensures a successful future during one of the worst job markets in the decade for new graduates. He says 99 percent of the class of 2024 have jobs or are in grad school.
>>Body Found in Search for Missing New Prague Man
(New Prague, MN) — Authorities in southern Minnesota believe they’ve found the body of a missing New Prague man. Police say a law enforcement drone helped located the body Tuesday morning in a New Prague field. The Minnesota B-C-A sent out a missing person alert for 24-year-old Logan Sampson who was last seen leaving home Sunday morning. His family says Logan has a history of seizures. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office will officially identify the remains and determine the cause and manner of death.
>>Remains of Missing Minnesota Kayaker Recovered from Lake in Grand Teton National Park
(Jackson, WY) — Officials at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming say the body of a missing kayaker from Minnesota has been recovered from Jackson Lake. Forty-three-year-old Wesley Dopkins of St. Paul was last seen paddling on the lake in June of 2024 and was not wearing a life jacket. A park release says specialized sonar technology helped locate Dopkins at a depth of around 420 feet on Monday. The Teton County Coroner’s Office is working to positively identify the remains.
>>15-Year-Old Bicyclist Killed in Coon Rapids Crash
(Coon Rapids, MN) — A teen from Ramsey is the victim in a deadly bicycle versus pickup crash in Coon Rapids. Police say 15-year-old Isaiah Whitlock was riding a dirt bike on a sidewalk Sunday when he swerved onto the road and was struck by the truck. Whitlock died at the scene. The 53-year-old Oak Grove man driving the pickup wasn’t hurt. Authorities are still investigating the incident.
>>Authorities ID Survey Worker Fatally Struck by SUV in Scott County
(Elko New Market, MN) — The medical examiner is identifying a survey worker killed by an S-U-V Monday near Elko New Market in Scott County. The report says 44-year-old Joseph Norgaard from Minneapolis died of multiple blunt force injuries from a vehicle vs. pedestrian collision. Deputies said the S-U-V fatally struck Norgaard at an intersection Monday. His manner of death is listed as an accident.
>>Man Charged with Attempted Murder for Stabbing Parents in Champlin
(Champlin, MN) — A man from Circle Pines is charged with two counts of attempted second-degree murder for the alleged stabbing of his parents in Champlin. Police issued a shelter-in-place order Friday night after finding a woman covered in blood and a wounded man. The criminal complaint says the man told officers that his son, 39-year-old Travis Lester, stabbed him and his wife. His dad said Travis stabbed him in a “drug-induced” rage. Lester was later pulled over in Lino Lakes and arrested with a large knife and methamphetamine. His parents were hospitalized in critical condition.
>>Hunters Asked to Help Track State’s Upland Bird Populations
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota D-N-R is asking upland bird hunters to help monitor bird populations for: woodcock, pheasants, prairie chickens, and partridge. Hunters are encouraged to report the date, number of birds flushed and harvested, use of dogs, hours hunted, and location—including county and type of land hunted. Observations can be submitted on the D-N-R’s website or entered later using a printable form. The data will support the agencies annual small game harvest survey.
>>Sled Dog Races to Return to Lake Minnetonka This Winter
(Excelsior, MN) — After being canceled last year due to lack of snow and winter weather, the Lake Minnetonka Klondike Dog Derby will try and give it a go this winter. The sled dog races will be held on the weekend of February 13th and 14th in downtown Excelsior. There is a fundraiser event called the “Kegs for Klondike” being held this Saturday in Spring Park. The event will feature food trucks, prizes, and live music to raise money for the upcoming races.
>>Minnesota Lynx Fall to Fever in Indiana
(Indianapolis, IN) — The Minnesota Lynx fell to the Indiana Fever 83-72 Tuesday night in Indianapolis and never had a lead. Jessica Shepard led Minnesota with 16 points and seven rebounds. The team rested All-Star forward Napheesa Collier and Dijonai Carrington missed another game due a shoulder injury. Minnesota has already locked up the number-one seed and homecourt advantage in the W-N-B-A playoffs. Lynx wrap up the regular season Thursday against the Golden State Valkyries at Target Center. The postseason begins Sunday.
