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RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR-MINNESOTA

Minnesota lawmakers plan bipartisan divestment from Russia

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A bipartisan coalition of legislative leaders has announced a deal to divest Minnesota’s pension funds from Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. Minnesota joins governors and lawmakers across the country in putting financial pressure on the Russian Federation. The state’s pensions funds were estimated to be worth around $53 million before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The legislation would also codify an executive order from Democratic Gov. Tim Walz that prohibits state agencies from doing business with Russian companies. Leaders say they expect the bill to pass both chambers within the next couple weeks after going through the committee process.

PUBLIC DEFENDERS-STRIKE AUTHORIZED

State public defenders poised to strike over pay, staffing

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — More than 700 workers involved in defending people who in most cases can’t afford to hire a private attorney have authorized what would be an unprecedented strike Minnesota. The public defenders and staff, represented by Teamsters Local 320, rejected the latest contract offer from the Minnesota Board of Public Defense. The union and board now have 10 days to negotiate a settlement. The two sides have been haggling over pay disparities with other agencies, staffing levels and other issues. The Board of Public Defense said it agrees that public defenders are underpaid and offices understaffed, but the board is “constrained in its negotiations by the resources provided by the state to provide these constitutionally mandated services across Minnesota.”

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE-MINNESOTA

Deal to stop Minnesota business tax increase remains elusive

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota legislative leaders remain far apart on a deal to avert a looming increase in unemployment insurance taxes on businesses. They couldn’t even agree Thursday on whether the deadline is next Tuesday, or later. Bills reflecting the automatic tax increase are due to go out to employers on Tuesday. The money would be used to replenish the state’s unemployment insurance trust fund, which has been drained by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Senate has approved using federal relief money to plug the gap. But House Democrats continue to link a fix with a long-stalled plan for “hero pay” for front-line workers.

BOOGALOO SENTENCE-MINNESOTA

“Boogaloo’ member sentenced to 3 years on weapons charges

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A self-described member of an anti-government extremist group accused of taking advantage of the unrest after George Floyd’s killing to raise money for the movement has been sentenced to three years in federal prison. Michael Robert Solomon, of New Brighton, Minnesota, admitted to selling silencers and other firearm components to FBI informants he believed were members of the Hamas terror group. The 31-year-old Solomon is one of a handful of men charged in Minnesota to be identified as members of the “boogaloo” movement. Prosecutors recommended a 10-year sentence. U.S. District Judge Michael Davis compared Solomon’s case to those of other terrorism cases that have been sentenced, all at a lower level than prosecutors wanted.

ALS RESEARCH

Minnesota Senate honors Iron Range lawmaker, passes ALS bill

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Senate has unanimously passed legislation to provide $20 million in grants for research against Lou Gehrig’s disease. It’s a tribute to Sen. David Tomassoni, of Chisholm, who was diagnosed with the disease last year. The bill would provide $20 million for research into the prevention, treatment, causes, and cures of the disease, also known as ALS. It also includes $5 million for ALS caregivers. ALS is a progressive disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord and there is no known cure. At any given time roughly 450 Minnesotans are living with the disease.

ELECTION 2022-CONGRESS-MINNESOTA

Former Hormel Foods CEO joins Minnesota congressional race

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The race to succeed the late U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn grew as a former CEO of Hormel Foods announced he’s running as a Democrat and an Albert Lea attorney joined the GOP field. Jeff Ettinger served as CEO of Hormel from 2005 until 2016, a time of major growth for the Austin-based food company best known for its meat brands. Also filing Thursday was Matt Benda, an agricultural law attorney from Albert Lea. Hagedorn died of kidney cancer two weeks ago. Gov, Tim Walz has called a special primary for May 24, followed by a special election Aug. 9.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MASK MANDATES

Twin Cities, Duluth end mask mandates in city buildings

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth are among cities ending mask requirements for city-owned facilities as COVID-19 case counts continue to trend downward in Minnesota. Minneapolis and St. Paul ended their mandates on Thursday. Duluth lifted its requirement for city buildings Wednesday. City officials say they made their decisions based on local and state coronavirus numbers, as well as guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Minnesota is now averaging fewer than 700 new coronavirus cases a day. That’s down from more than 3,000 a day in mid-February.

HYPOTHERMIA DEATH-MOTHER SENTENCED

Mother sentenced to prison in hypothermia death of son

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A suburban Minneapolis woman has been sentenced to nearly nine years in prison in the death of her 8-year-old son who was locked in a garage overnight during the winter. Thirty-nine-year-old Tasha Tennin, of Brooklyn Park, was sentenced this week in Hennepin County District Court after pleading guilty to first-degree manslaughter in the 2018 death of Tayvion Davis. With credit for time already served, Tennin will likely spend nearly six years in prison and the balance on supervised release. According to court documents, Tayvion’s siblings told their foster parents that the boy got into trouble and was told by Tennin to sit in the garage. Prosecutors said she locked the garage, and left the child there overnight in sub-zero temperatures.