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MN GOP lawmakers push for higher fentanyl penalties, new offense for carjacking as part of public safety proposal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:57 GMT

Minority Republicans in the Minnesota Senate and House are pushing for a package of public safety legislation they say will fight crime by stiffening criminal penalties and strengthening police forces.Creating a new carjacking offense, boosting penalties for illicit fentanyl, and a new system tracking judges’ sentencing decisions are just a few proposals included in what GOP lawmakers are calling the “Safe and Sound Minnesota” public safety plan. But with Democrats in control of state government, little of their agenda has gained traction so far, save a few bipartisan items.Addressing reporters on the bill at a Capitol news conference Thursday, House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, criticized Democrats’ approach to public safety as failing to hold wrongdoers accountable. One example, she said, was the DFL push this week to penalize car manufacturers Kia and Hyundai for design flaws that make their vehicles easier to steal, rather than doing more to go after thieves.“We w...

Class 2A boys hockey state quarterfinal: Edina 7, Moorhead 6, 2OT

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:57 GMT

With two of the top goalies in the state between the pipes for Moorhead and No. 3 Edina in Thursday’s Class AA boys hockey quarterfinal, some expected a defensive battle.Not quite.Despite Kai Weigel in net for the Spuds, and Robbie Clarkowski between the pipes for the Hornets, the teams combined for 13 goals, and the Spuds erased a three-goal, third-period deficit in the final minute of regulation before Edina’s Charlie Sandven scored 2 minutes, 2 seconds into double overtime to seal a 7-6 Hornets win.“(Weigel) is really good, and Clarkowski has played really well, too,” Edina coach Curt Giles said. “And we go out there and it’s a 7-6 game. You see that coming?”Sandven’s shot, a long wrister from the right point, floated through traffic before finding the top right corner of the net.Edina’s top line of Bobby Cowan, Jackson Nevers and Ryan Flaherty combined for five goals and 11 points.“I love playing with Jackson, and Flahe...

Cut Social Security taxes? Here’s what MN lawmakers are considering.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:57 GMT

Eliminating or reducing state taxes on Social Security and the best way to do it is a key issue under debate at the Minnesota Legislature that will undoubtedly be part of negotiations for the next state budget.Lawmakers, as well as the state’s seniors, are divided on what to do about the 348,700 households currently paying taxes ion benefits. Especially with the state projecting a $17.5 billion budget surplus.The House taxes committee heard testimony Thursday from residents on two proposals — to eliminate or modify taxes on benefits.Bill Raker, a volunteer with AARP Minnesota, testified in support of complete elimination of state taxes on benefits.“Social Security is an earned benefit. Historically, Social Security was designed as an antipoverty program, not a way to fund government,” Raker said.Bill Raker speaks in favor of a bill exempting Social Security income from taxes. Lawmakers heard testimony Thursday from residents on proposals to eliminate or modif...

Waste Management acquires Dakota County compost businesses

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:57 GMT

Waste Management of Minnesota has entered the world of composting with recent acquisitions.Specialized Environmental Technologies (SET) and The Mulch Store, an organics composting company, were acquired this week by Waste Management to offer sustainability solutions for its customers, according to a company news release.Included in the acquisition are SET’s compost sites in Empire, Burnsville, Shakopee and Minnetrista.“[Waste Management] will be contributing to a circular economy by managing food waste and other organic material in an environmentally responsible manner that seeks to maximize its resource value,” said Frank Fello, vice president for Waste Management’s upper Midwest area.Related ArticlesBusiness | Inver Grove Heights firefighters battle blaze at Mississippi River marina Business | Farmington driver, 17, dies after being rear-ended, pushed into oncoming traffic, officials say Business | Obituary: As Sister Arnelda, she taught ...

Multiple COVID variants found in New York rats: study

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:57 GMT

Three different coronavirus variants were discovered in New York City’s rat population, according to a new study. A release from EurekAlert on Thursday states that rats were found to be infected with the alpha, delta and omicron COVID-19 variants. Henry Wan, the principal investigator for the study and the director of the Center for Influenza and Emerging Infectious Diseases at the University of Missouri, said in the statement that the finds demonstrate why additional monitoring of COVID-19 in rat populations is necessary to keep track of a possible secondary spreading of the virus from animals to humans. “Overall, our work in this space shows that animals can play a role in pandemics that impact humans, and it’s important that we continue to increase our understanding so we can protect both human and animal health,” Wan said. The release states New York City has about 8 million rats, which also widespread across other urban areas in the United States. It notes that two previou...

Man sentenced in I-170 gun battle that claimed Bridgeton woman's life

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:57 GMT

CLAYTON, Mo. - A Ferguson man was sentenced Thursday for his role in a rolling gun battle on Interstate 170 that claimed the life of an innocent woman caught in the crossfire.The shooting happened around 3 p.m. on Nov. 30, 2020, in the southbound lanes of I-170 near the Olive Boulevard exit. Police: Accused Schnucks shooter has medical condition, may be with girlfriend Kristen Whitted was on her way to meet up with friends for a walk in Forest Park when she found herself in the middle of a road rage incident she had nothing to do with. Police responded to the shooting on the interstate and found that Whitted had suffered a gunshot wound to her upper torso. Whitted was rushed to a local hospital, but could not be saved. She was 46.Days later, detectives with the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis arrested Calvin Pittman for firing the shots that struck Whitted. Pittman had claimed that he was returning fire at another vehicle that shot at him first, and that he didn't intend to...

Washington University School of Medicine helps set new global policy on malnutrition

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:57 GMT

ST. LOUIS – Malnourished children in Africa and across the globe are being saved thanks to St. Louis doctors and critical research conducted at the Washington University School of Medicine. The research has changed the global guidelines for nutrition and brain health in malnourished children.Nearly two decades ago, Dr. Mark Manary, a professor of pediatrics at the med school, founded Project Peanut Butter.Packets of ready-to-use therapeutic food that look and taste like peanut butter are widely used to treat malnourished children. Since then, Manary and his team discovered adding DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, and reducing omega-6 fatty acids, does more than just save these children. Police: Accused Schnucks shooter has medical condition, may be with girlfriend Manary says when you put these fats into this peanut butter food, you get better brain recovery. Manary and his team did numerous clinical trials in Africa. They found improved brain function of malnourished children who ate t...

Some dead in shooting at Jehovah’s Witness hall in Germany

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:57 GMT

By GEIR MOULSON (Associated Press)BERLIN (AP) — Shots were fired inside a building used by Jehovah’s Witnesses in the northern German city of Hamburg on Thursday evening, and several people were killed or wounded, police said.The shooting took place in the Gross Borstel district, a few kilometers (miles) north of the downtown area of Germany’s second-biggest city.“We only know that several people died here; several people are wounded, they were taken to hospitals,” police spokesman Holger Vehren said. He said he had no information on the severity of the injuries suffered by the wounded. Police did not confirm German media reports, which named no sources, of six or seven dead.The scene of the shooting was the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Kingdom Hall, a modern and boxy three-story building next door to an auto repair shop. Vehren said police were alerted to the shooting about 9:15 p.m. and were on the scene quickly. He said that after officers arrive...

Dominant closing run lifts Holy Family girls into Class 4A state title game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:57 GMT

No first-quarter points, no problem for Holy Family in Thursday’s Class 4A girls semifinal.The Tigers started their afternoon at the Denver Coliseum with 8 minutes, 31 seconds of scoreless basketball, but finished it off by securing a spot in Saturday’s state championship game with a 31-20 victory over Lutheran.How did they do it?An intense defensive effort, a double-double from standout post Fiona Snashall and a dominant closing run that turned a back-and-forth, low-scoring contest into a double-digit victory.“It was the lowest-scoring game for both teams, so it was definitely nerve-wracking, but I think our will to win showed through in the third and fourth quarters,” Snahsall said after scoring eight of her 10 points in the second half and collecting a game-best 12 rebounds. “The nerves kind of settled down and we said, ‘OK, we really want this.’”The teams traded leads early in the closing frame. Holy Family guard Essynce Contreraz (eight points) stole the ball out high and raced...

Multiple California residents win a combined amount of $7 million from scratcher games

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:57 GMT

Five California residents are now millionaires after winning a combined amount of $7 million from California Lottery scratcher games, the state lottery office announced Thursday. California’s new millionaires:- Victor Varela won $1 million after playing the Winter Riches scratcher ticket he purchased at Vallarta Supermarket in National City in San Diego County.- Van Le, who represents a group of four players who purchase scratchers tickets together and - - Teddy Young each won $2 million after playing Instant Prize Crossword scratchers tickets purchased at convenience stores in Northern California.- Luis Cruz won $1 million after playing the Winter Riches scratcher ticket purchased from a Fastrip in Mendota in Fresno County.- Ramon Torres won $1 million after playing a 50X Fortune scratchers ticket purchased at a Union 76 gas station in Sherman Oaks in Los Angeles County. Some California lottery winners not claiming prizes; unclaimed tickets add up to tens of millions The winners ...