>>Senate Amendment Renames Overpass in Honor of Fallen Pope County Deputy
(St. Paul, MN) — The nearly-new overpass at the junction of Highways 29 and 55 in Pope County would be named in honor of slain Deputy Josh Owen — an amendment the Minnesota Senate added Thursday to its transportation budget bill. Alexandria Senator Torrey Westrom says constituents and people wanted to make sure Josh Owen’s contributions to the Pope County community and as a deputy would be remembered for a long time. Deputy Owen was fatally shot by a suspect while responding to a domestic disturbance call. Thousands attended his funeral last Saturday in Glenwood.
>>Minnesota Senate to Debate and Vote on Legal Cannabis Bill
(St. Paul, MN) — If the Minnesota Senate passes the bill today (Friday), it’s highly likely that recreational marijuana will become legal in Minnesota. The cannabis legislation passed the Minnesota House Tuesday on a 71 to 59 vote. But in the Minnesota Senate, Democrats have a one-vote majority and for the bill to pass, every member will have to vote “yes” — and the D-F-L can count on no help from Republicans.
>>MnDOT, State of Minnesota Observing Worker Memorial Day
(St. Paul, MN) — MnDOT is reminding drivers to slow down and use caution in construction zones on this Worker Memorial Day (Friday). Spokesman Jake Loesch (LOH-sch) says it’s a way for us to pause and remember construction workers who have died or been injured in work zones on Minnesota highways and on our roads. Since 1960, 35 MnDOT workers and 16 contractor employees have died in a work zone. MnDOT and the State Patrol are hosting observances around the state today and the 35-W Bridge in Minneapolis and other landmarks will be lit orange tonight in honor of fallen workers.
>>Charges Filed in Minneapolis Mosque Fire on Monday
(Minneapolis, MN) — A man is facing second-degree arson charges for allegedly setting one of two fires at mosques in south Minneapolis this week. Prosecutors say Jackie Rahm Little was seen on surveillance video carrying a bag containing a gasoline can into the Mercy Islamic Center on Monday. Investigators later found a melted gas can at the scene. A warrant has been issued for Little’s arrest. Minneapolis police are also investigating an alleged arson at a mosque inside the 24 Somali Mall on Sunday.
>>Eden Prairie Man Died of Drowning, Injuries in Chanhassen Crash
(Chanhassen, MN) — Authorities are releasing more information about the death of an Eden Prairie man whose van crashed into a holding pond Monday in Chanhassen. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office says 71-year-old Kenneth Blumberg died in the hospital of “freshwater drowning complicating multiple blunt force injuries.” The Minnesota State Patrol says Blumberg ran a red light at Highway 212 and County Road 101 and collided with an S-U-V, sending his vehicle into a pond. A dive team pulled Blumberg from his submerged van.
>Red Wing Shoes Pays $30 K for Air Quality Violations at 2 Plants
(St. Paul, MN) — Red Wing Shoe Company is paying a 30-thousand-dollar fine for violating air quality permit requirements in 2020 and 2021 at two local production facilities. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says the company failed to properly calculate emissions for hazardous pollutants, conduct equipment inspections and tune-ups, and fully report impacted record keeping from a 2020 cyber security attack. Red Wing was also ordered to complete a series of corrective actions.
>>Minnesota Vikings Pick USC WR Addison in 1st Round of NFL Draft
(Kansas City, MO) — The Minnesota Vikings used the 23rd pick in the N-F-L Draft to select U-S-C wide receiver Jordan Addison. He caught 59 passes for 875 yards and eight touchdowns for the Trojans last season. Addison won the Fred Biletnikoff Award in his sophomore season at Pittsburgh before transferring to Southern Cal. Minnesota has one pick today (Friday) in the third round of the draft and three selections on Saturday.
