>>MN Flags To Be At Half-Staff After Deadly Shooting In Burnsville
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Walz has ordered flags around the state lowered after two police officers and a firefighter were killed yesterday in Burnsville. The governor ordered flags to half-staff after the deaths of officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge and paramedic Adam Finseth. Investigators say the men were killed when a barricaded suspect opened fire on first responders early yesterday. The suspect reportedly died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Walz said Minnesotans must never take for granted the bravery and sacrifices police officers and first responders make every day. (24/7 News Source)
>>Search For Men After Gunfight In St. Cloud Parking Lot
(St. Cloud, MN) — St. Cloud police are searching for two men suspected of taking part in a gunfight in a local parking lot. The shooting happened Saturday afternoon in the 13 hundred block of West St. Germain. Authorities say both suspects exchanged gunfire with each other. It did not appear that either male was hit by gunfire and they both fled the scene. (24/7 News Source)
>>Phillips Lays Off Campaign Staffers But Says He’s Still Running For President
(Minneapolis, MN) — Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips says he’s not ending his presidential campaign despite laying off “a lot” of his campaign staff. Phillips announced Friday that struggles with fundraising had forced him to make layoffs, though he did not say how many staffers were affected. He called the decision “tough” but said it wasn’t the end of his campaign for the Democratic nomination. Phillips entered the race last year, contending President Joe Biden should make way for a new generation of leaders in the Democratic Party. (24/7 News Source)
>>Ex-Chisago County Sheriff Sentenced For Sexual Assault And Blackmail
(Chisago, MN) — Former Chisago County Sheriff Rick Duncan has learned his fate. He was sentenced today after pleading guilty to criminal sexual conduct. Duncan will spend 178 days in the Washington County Jail, followed by 15-years of probation. He must also pay 700-dollars in restitution, and register on the predatory offender list. (24/7 News Source)
>>Workers Notify Virginia City Government About Possible Strike
(Virginia, MN) — Employees of a northern Minnesota city have told officials there that they may strike if they don’t get a new contract. The city of Virginia is facing the possibility of a strike involving public works, parks and recreation and administrative employees. The union representing the workers must give the city a ten-day notice before calling a strike, and the city had not received this notice as of yesterday. The workers involved say the city has offered reduced benefits and protections for union employees in exchange for a one-percent pay increase. (24/7 News Source)
>>Troll Sculptures Coming To Detroit Lakes This Summer
(Detroit Lakes, MN) — A Danish artist known for using recycled materials to create giant troll sculptures will be coming to Minnesota later this year. Thomas Dambo will create six of his signature sculptures in Detroit Lakes beginning in May. Four of the six sculptures will be located in Detroit Lakes City Park, Dunton Locks County Park and Detroit Mountain Recreation Area. City officials say details about the exact locations for some of the sculptures won’t be released until later this year. (24/7 News Source)
