Ethics Panel Delays Mitchell Case Till June; Cannabis Charges In Mahnomen; Explosion Claims Two People’s Lives Near Princeton; Taylor Swift Bill Becomes MN Law
>>Minnesota Senator Nicole Mitchell Refuses To Testify At Ethics Hearing
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Senator Nicole Mitchell, facing burglary charges, declined to answer questions during an ethics hearing regarding her arrest last month, invoking her 5th Amendment rights. Mitchell stands accused of breaking into her stepmother’s home, clad in all-black attire, and allegedly admitted to police her involvement. Despite Democrats advocating for due process, Republicans urged immediate action, reflecting a split in the Senate’s handling of the situation. Mitchell’s refusal to testify complicates the ethics committee’s review. The state Senate ethics panel decided yesterday to delay any further discussion about Mitchell until June 12th, two days after her next appearance in court. ( 24/7 News Source)
(Mahnomen)A White Earth tribal member whose Mahnomen business was raided last August has been charged with a felony for illegal cannabis possession.
The Star Tribune reports 54-year -old Todd J. Thompson of Mahnomen started selling cannabis from Asema Tobacco & Pipe Shop, on the day recreational cannabis became legal in Minnesota. His store was licensed by the White Earth Reservation tribal council to sell only tobacco products.
According to court documents, agents with the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force and other law enforcement executed a search warrant at the shop and Thompson’s residence just after 4 p.m. Aug. 2. Officials seized about 7.5 pounds of marijuana and just under 1 pound of marijuana wax, as well as about $2,750 in cash. The sale of recreational cannabis remains restricted on non-native land as the state works to open the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management and start a licensing system. (Star Tribune)
>>Two Killed In Central Minnesota House Explosion
(Princeton, MN) — A devastating home explosion rocked Princeton Township early Tuesday morning, claiming the lives of two individuals and their family dog. The explosion, reported just before 4 a.m. on the 8200 block of 52nd Street, resulted in a large debris field and a fire that required multiple fire departments to extinguish. The victims, identified as Royce and Katherine Kreger, aged 60 and 61 respectively, were renting the property. The cause of the explosion is under investigation by local authorities and the State Fire Marshal’s office. Witnesses described the scene as “mass destruction,” with debris thrown over 50 yards from the home. (24/7 News Source)
>>Farming Accident Claims Life Of 28-Year Old
(Otter Tail, MN) — A 28-year-old man lost his life in a farming accident in southeastern Otter Tail County near Parkers Prairie. The incident occurred yesterday as the man was working with others to repair tillage equipment on a farm when a part of the machinery fell on him, pinning him underneath. Despite the efforts of emergency responders, he succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The tragedy underscores the inherent risks involved in agricultural work and the importance of safety protocols in farming operations. (24/7 News Source)
>>Fire Damages Vehicles In Moorhead High School Parking Lot
(Moorhead, MN) — Several vehicles are severely damaged after a fire spread through the Moorhead High School parking lot. It happened Tuesday morning in the east student parking lot shortly after classes began. The Moorhead Fire Department was called to the scene, and the burning vehicles were extinguished. Nobody was injured, and there’s no word on how the fire started. (24/7 News Source)
>>Governor Walz Signs Ticket Transparency Bill Into Law
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz signed a bill aimed at increasing transparency and fairness in the ticketing industry on Tuesday. Dubbed the “Taylor Swift bill,” it requires ticket sellers to disclose the full price upfront, including fees, and prohibits speculative ticketing and deceptive practices. Authored by Rep. Kelly Moller and sponsored by Sen. Matt Klein, the law is set to take effect in January. \r. Despite some opposition from industry groups, the bill received bipartisan support and is hailed as a win for consumers and local businesses alike. (24/7 News Source)
>>Protected Sandhill Crane Shot And Killed While Nesting In Central Minnesota
(Todd County, MN) — Poaching of a protected species occurred in Todd County, where a nesting sandhill crane was shot and killed while incubating two eggs. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is investigating the incident, which was reported after someone heard gunfire in the area. Sandhill cranes, among Minnesota’s largest bird species, are protected throughout most of the state, except for a limited hunting season in the northwest. The DNR emphasized the severity of the offense, as shooting a protected bird and within 500 feet of a house is illegal. (24/7 News Source)
