>>Special Election Tuesday to Fill Minnesota House Seat of Melissa Hortman
(Brooklyn Park, MN) — There’s a special election in the north metro today (Tues) to fill the seat of fallen House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman of Brooklyn Park. Democrat X-P Lee and Republican Ruth Bittner are on the ballot for House District 34-B. This special election will determine the balance of power in the Minnesota House. The chamber was tied last session before Democratic leader Hortman and her husband were assassinated in June. The G-O-P currently has a one-vote advantage in the House, but Hortman’s district leans D-F-L.
>>Senator Hoffman Bill Introduced in Gun Violence Prevention Hearing
(St. Paul, MN) — State Senator John Hoffman of Champlin is sponsoring a bill to increase the penalties for impersonating a peace officer. Hoffman was not in attendance at Monday’s Senate working group hearing, but the bill was read by Senator Ron Latz of St. Louis Park. It would make it a felony and a first time offense would be punishable by two years in prison and $4,000 fine. The fines would more than double if the offender gains access to a building or uses a vehicle that resembles a law enforcement vehicle. Repeat offenders could be sentenced to 10 years and a $20,000 fine. The attacker in the Hoffman and Hortman shootings was dressed to look like a police officer.
>>Annunciation Catholic School Students Return to Class
(Minneapolis, MN) — Students of Annunciation Catholic School are returning to campus today (Tues) three weeks after the mass shooting that killed two and injured 21 others. The school says it will host supportive activities focused on connection and play. This week’s plans include a modified class schedule and extra security. This comes two days after the celebration of life for ten-year-old Harper Moyski and a week after eight-year-old Fletcher Merkel’s funeral. Twelve-year-old Sophia Forchas remains hospitalized with serious injuries.
>>State of Minnesota Earns AAA Credit Rating for 4th Year
(St. Paul, MN) — The State of Minnesota has a triple-A credit rating from all three major agencies for the fourth year in a row. Governor Tim Walz says the top rating is “a testament to the strength of Minnesota’s economy and our commitment to responsible financial stewardship.” Minnesota is one of just 16 states with the highest rating from Moody’s, S and P, and Fitch. State Management and Budget officials say the rating helps protect long-term investments and signals confidence in the state’s economy.
>>2 School Bus Crash in Freeborn County Sends 5 Kids to Hospital
(Oakland Township, MN) — Authorities in southern Minnesota are investigating a crash involving two school buses near Austin that sent five kids to the hospital. The Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office says a bus from Glenville-Emmons Public Schools and Palmer Bus in Austin collided Monday afternoon. Five of the six students on the Glennville-Emmons bus were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the Palmer bus was also transported to the hospital. Deputies say the driver of the Glennville-Emmons bus was cited for failure to yield the right of way at a controlled intersection.
>>Boy in Juvenile Detention Center Following Threats Against DGF Schools
(Dilworth, MN) — A boy is in juvenile detention in Moorhead for making alleged threats against Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton Schools. Clay County Sheriff Mark Empting says the boy was taken into custody on a charge of threats of violence and is cooperating with the investigation. The sheriff say he may release more information today after speaking with the Clay County Attorney’s Office. The investigation began over the weekend after a concerning message was shared with a small group of friends.
>>Toddler Wanders into Le Sueur County Cornfield
(Le Sueur County, MN) — A scare in Le Sueur County Monday evening when a toddler was reported missing in a cornfield. Sheriff Brett Mason says deputies were called to a home in Cordova Township after a two-and-a-half-year-old girl was believed to have wandered into the field. First responders walked row by row through the corn while drones scanned from above. Just over an hour later the child was found about a third of a mile south of the home among the corn stalks. She was checked out by paramedics and wasn’t hurt. The Minnesota State Patrol and nearby sheriff’s offices were also in route with helicopters and more drone support, but the girl was found before they arrived.
>>Arson Suspected in Mankato House Fire Monday Morning
(Mankato, MN) — A suspect is under arrest in connection with an apparent arson fire Monday morning in Mankato. Police say the occupants of the home were alerted by smoke detectors and officers helped evacuate those still inside. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire, and no one was injured. Investigators say they reviewed surveillance video from the home and identified a suspect. That person was taken into custody on suspicion of first-degree arson. Damage to the home is estimated at 50 thousand dollars.
>>Two Suspects Arrested After Standoff on I-94 Near Evansville
(Evansville, MN) — A man and woman are accused of fleeing a traffic stop and causing a standoff Monday afternoon on Interstate 94 near Evansville. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office was investigating a stolen vehicle at the Bergen Rest Stop when the driver fled. Deputies used a PIT maneuver to stop the vehicle, then pinned it against a guardrail. The suspects refused to exit, and the driver put on heavy clothing, a tactic known to law enforcement to defeat less than lethal weapons. This prompted officers to deploy Pepper Balls and both surrendered. The incident temporarily diverted traffic at the Evansville exit.
>>Twins, Woods Richardson Shut Out Yankees at Target Field
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Twins are celebrating a 7-0 shutout win over the New York Yankees Monday night at Target Field. Twins starting pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson allowed two hits over six scoreless innings and struck out a career-high 11 batters. Austin Martin drove in four runs for Minnesota and Brooks Lee hit a home run. This was the Twins first shutout against the Yankees since 2008. Zebby Matthews starts game two of the series tonight (Tues) in downtown Minneapolis.
