>>Second Child Dies After UTV Crash
(Kandiyohi Co., MN) — A second child has passed away after a crash between a UTV and a pickup truck in Kandiyohi County. The parents of 11-year-old Harrison Dahl say their son died yesterday. He was involved in the accident earlier this month that also claimed the life of his 15-year-old brother William. The youngest of the children involved, ten-year-old Drew Daly, was treated for minor injuries and released from the hospital. (24/7 News Source)
(St. Paul) The federal Drug Enforcement Agency says Minnesota law enforcement reported the biggest rise in fentanyl pill seizures among the five Midwestern states in its federal field division last year. According to the Star Tribune,
seizures of the potentially deadly opiate jumped 127% in the state up from 2022 as investigators recovered more than 417,000 pills. That’s more than Iowa, both the Dakotas and Nebraska, which are Minnesota’s fellow offices within the DEA’s Omaha-headquartered division. The five states recorded an 83% spike in fentanyl pill seizures. Assistant special agent in charge of the DEA’s Minneapolis-St. Paul District Office, Rafael Mattel described the situation as “dire”.
The DEA said law enforcement seized more than 77 million fentanyl pills and nearly 12,000 pounds of fentanyl nationally last year.(24/7 News Source)(Star Tribune)
(Bemidji, MN )– The Beltrami County Opioid Steering Committee and the Beltrami County Board of Commissioners is inviting community partners to submit a request for grant funding through the opioid settlement. The first-round competitive grant has an estimated $250,000 available. Approved uses of the remediation funds include treating opioid use disorders, preventing misuse of opioids, support those in treatment and recovery and other opioid related harm reduction activity. The Request For Proposals (RFP) and application are available on the Beltrami County website. Applications are due February 29th.(24/7 News Source)
>>MN Supreme Court Fast Tracks Review Of Felon Voting Challenge
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Supreme Court is putting a legal challenge to the state’s felon voting restoration law on the fast track for review. Chief Justice Natalie Hudson announced Tuesday that oral arguments in the case have been scheduled for April 1st. A conservative group is challenging a law that went into effect last June that allowed felons who complete their time behind bars to vote in state elections. A lower court judge ruled against the group late last year, and their appeal asked the Supreme Court to take the case so that Minnesotans have complete clarity about voter eligibility.(24/7 News Source)
>>State Cannabis Office Says MN Needs At Least 381 Dispensaries
(St. Paul, MN) — The agency that regulates marijuana policy in Minnesota is giving its first estimate of how many dispensaries could eventually be licensed in the state. This week’s report from the Office of Cannabis Management indicates that the state will need at least 381 dispensaries to meet guidelines approved under state law. Officials say the state legislature could decide to increase that number if demand supports it. The agency says it’s working on rules for retail cannabis operations and expects dispensaries to start opening next year.(24/7 News Source)
>>Minnesota Lawmaker To Push Legal Sports Betting During Legislative Session
(Winona, MN) — A state lawmaker is planning another effort to legalize sports betting in Minnesota. Republican state Senator Jerry Miller of Winona unveiled his proposed legislation yesterday. Miller made an unsuccessful effort to get sports gambling legalized last year, but says he’s been working to gather bipartisan support for his latest proposal. Minnesota’s 11 tribal nations would have the chance to offer retail and mobile sports betting, and licenses could also be issued to allow sports betting at horse tracks and sports stadiums. Minnesota would levy a 15-percent tax on sports betting revenue under Miller’s proposal.(24/7 News Source)
>>Absentee Voting For Presidential Primary Starts Tomorrow In Minnesota
(Undated) — Absentee voting for presidential primary starts tomorrow in Minnesota. Voters can request an absentee ballot online. For the March 5 primary, voters have to select their preferred party and pick from only that party’s list of candidates. Three parties are considered major political parties in Minnesota, the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, the Republican Party, and Legal Marijuana Now.(24/7 News Source)
>>Amazon Buys Stake In Company That Broadcasts Twins, Timberwolves, Wild
(Minneapolis, MN) — Minnesota sports fans will soon be able to tune into Amazon Prime to get their fill of major league baseball, NHL hockey and NBA basketball. Diamond Sports confirmed this week that Amazon has bought a minority stake in the company as part of a deal that will allow it to emerge from bankruptcy. Diamond Sports owns 18 regional sports networks, including Bally Sports North, which broadcasts the Twins, Wild, and Timberwolves as well as the Minnesota Lynx. The company says those games will still be available on cable and satellite channels in addition to streaming on Amazon Prime.(24/7 News Source)
