>>Advisory Committee on State Capitol Security Meets for Second Time
(St. Paul, MN) — A survey shows at least 33 state capitols in the U-S have weapons detectors and bag screeners before you enter the building. State Representative Jim Nash of Waconia says it would be wise if the advisory committee on Capitol Area Security came up with a solution. Nash says it would cost millions of dollars to install metal detectors at the State Capitol and staff them. The committee met for the second time Monday since the political attacks on the Hortmans and Hoffmans.
>>Governor Walz Holding Roundtable on Rising Healthcare Costs
(St. Paul, MN) — With higher health care costs expected at the start of the year, Governor Tim Walz is hosting a roundtable discussion today (Tues) to discuss the state’s plan. Insurers are expected to raise premiums by more than 16 percent for the individual market and almost 13 percent for the small group market. The governor says the Trump administration’s budget bill does not extend health care premium tax credits. He says this will hit the middle class the hardest, especially farmers, small business owners, older Minnesotans, and rural communities. Walz will be joined by representatives with the Commerce Department, MNsure, and community groups.
>>MDH Recommending COVID Vaccines, Breaking From Federal Guidelines
(St. Paul, MN) — State health officials are endorsing COVID-19 vaccine recommendations from medical associations, breaking from federal guidance. Minnesota Department of Health Epidemiologist Dr. Ruth Lynfield says vaccines are one of the greatest public health achievements in modern medicine and are safe and effective. M-D-H is recommending Minnesotans six months and older get the COVID vaccine. The department is also issuing a standing order that would allow pharmacists to give the vaccine to any Minnesotan between the ages of three and 64.
>>Senator Klobuchar to Highlight Grants for MSP Airport Improvement Projects
(Minneapolis, MN) — U-S Senator Amy Klobuchar is hosting a news conference today (Tues) to highlight 5.5 million dollars in improvements at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Federal funding was awarded to M-S-P through airport grant programs created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Klobuchar says improvements include a new H-VAC system in Concourse A and replacing outdated lighting equipment.
>>Representative Craig Introduces Special Education Bill
(Washington, DC) — Congresswoman Angie Craig is sponsoring a bill to help schools recruit, train and retain paraeducators to boost special education programs. The Preparing and Retaining All Educators Act would establish grants to fund credentialing programs, high-quality professional development. and higher wages for these educators. Craig says this bill would provide long-term funding in this area of education.
>>First Adult-Use Cannabis Event Organizer License Awarded to Legacy Cup
(St. Paul, MN) — People heading to Legacy Cup at Surly Brewing in Minneapolis can buy adult-use cannabis for the first time this year. The Office of Cannabis Management’s Eric Taubel says Saturday’s festival received the state’s first cannabis event organizer license. He says that allows people with cannabis retail licenses to sell adult-use products at the festival. Legacy Cup had been limited to C-B-D and hemp-derived T-H-C products in previous years. The event includes a cannabis judging contest, a sesh lounge, dozens of vendors, food trucks, and live music.
>>Mom Facing Criminal Vehicular Homicide Charge in Maplewood Crash
(Maplewood, MN) — A St. Paul woman is charged with criminal vehicular homicide for an alleged drunken driving crash in Maplewood that killed her one-year-old son. The State Patrol said an S-U-V driven by 28-year-old Rachale Peloquin was speeding onto Highway 61 when it rolled into the ditch and landed upside down into a pond. The report says one-year-old Revon Todd was extricated from underneath the vehicle by firefighters but died at the scene. Peloquin, her five- and six-year-old sons, and a 32-year-old passenger were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Troopers said they smelled an overwhelming odor of alcohol on Peloquin, and she failed a preliminary breath test.
>>Minnesota Lynx Hosting Game 2 of WNBA Semifinals Tuesday Night
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Lynx and Phoenix Mercury play Game 2 of the W-B-N-A Semifinals tonight (Tues 6:30pm) at Target Center. The Lynx won the opener 82-69 on Sunday at home and outscored the Mercury 42-22 in the second half. Courtney Williams filled the stat sheet with 23 points, seven assists, eight rebounds, and five steals. Minnesota looks to take 2-0 lead before the best-of-five series moves to Phoenix on Friday night.
