ST. CLOUD, Minnesota, Feb. 3 -- The Central Minnesota Community Foundation issued the following news release: * * * Bernick Family Foundation Awards $200K in Grants St. Cloud, Minn. - The Bernick Family Foundation in partnership with the Central Minnesota Community Foundation is granting $200,000 to 12 organizations. All grants go toward supporting youth, education, fitness and well-being programs primarily in greater Minnesota. Eligible organizations were required to be a 501(c)3 organizatio  more

ST. CLOUD, Minnesota, Feb. 3 -- The Central Minnesota Community Foundation issued the following news release: * * * Central MN Arts and Difference Maker Grant Rounds Open St. Cloud, Minn. - A grant round that works to expand the arts and one that aims to make a difference addressing homelessness in Central Minnesota are open. The Central Minnesota Community Foundation (CMCF) has opened their annual Central Minnesota Arts Grant round and Central Minnesota Difference Maker Grant round as of Fe  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 -- Rep. Brad Finstad, R-Minnesota, issued the following news release: * * * Finstad Joins Minnesota Republican Delegation in Sending Letter to Walz Demanding Answers on Massive Fraud Scandal WASHINGTON, D.C. - Following the news that 62 investigations have been opened to look into federally funded childcare centers in Minnesota for fraud and other serious violations, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) joined the Minnesota Republican Congressional delegation in sending a lette  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 -- Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minnesota, ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee, issued the following statement on Feb. 3, 2025: * * * Today, House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig released the following statement regarding the unelected billionaire Elon Musk's barrage of attacks on the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). "U.S.-run international food assistance programs provide critical business for American farmers and the entire agricult  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 -- Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minnesota, ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee, issued the following statement: * * * EAGAN, MN - Today, House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig released the following statement in response to President Trump's decision to place across-the-board 25 percent tariffs on products imported from Canada and Mexico, and 10 percent tariffs on Canadian energy products. "No one wins in a trade war. The last time President Trump start  more

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, Feb. 4 -- Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release on Feb. 3, 2025: Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the appointment of Shireen Gandhi as temporary commissioner of the Department of Human Services (DHS) until a permanent commissioner is appointed. Gandhi will take over leadership of the agency following the departure of Jodi Harpstead, who stepped down on February 3 after five and a half years of service. "I am g  more

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, Feb. 4 -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued the following news on Feb. 3, 2025: The City of Long Prairie and C&L Excavating discharged sediment-laden water into the Long Prairie River, in addition to other violations, during construction of CSAH 56 & 38, according to a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) enforcement investigation. The City of Long Prairie and C&L Excavating were each fined $10,900. MPCA staff inspections in April and May 2024 confirmed s  more

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, Feb. 4 -- The Minnesota Utilities Commission issued the following decision involving Xcel Energy: * * * INTRODUCTION DECISION ITEMS 1. Details 2025-004 ** G002/M-23-518 Northern States Power Co. d/b/a Xcel Energy In the Matter of Xcel Energy's Natural Gas Innovation Plan. Should the Commission approve, reject, or modify Xcel Energy's 2023 Natural Gas Innovation Plan? (PUC: Harsch, Nikitas) Attachments: PUBLIC Briefing Papers (https://minnesotapuc.legistar.com/gatewa  more

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, Feb. 4 -- The Minnesota Utilities Commission issued the following decision involving Xcel Energy and Dakota Electric Association: * * * INTRODUCTION DECISION ITEMS 1. Details 2025-007 ** E999/CI-24-397 All Investor-Owned Electric Utilities In the Matter of a Commission Inquiry on Utility's MISO Reliability Based Demand Curve Opt-Out Plan. Should the Commission accept the December 27, 2024 filings from Xcel Energy, Minnesota Power, and Otter Tail Power? (PUC: Strauss)   more

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, Feb. 3 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota issued the following news release: A Rochester woman pleaded guilty for her role in the $250 million fraud scheme that exploited a federally funded child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. According to court documents, from approximately December 2020 through January 2022, Ayan Jama, 45, knowingly participated in a scheme to defraud a   more

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, Feb. 4 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota issued the following news release: A Shakopee woman pleaded guilty for her role in the $250 million fraud scheme that exploited a federally funded child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. According to court documents, at times between October 2020 and January 2022, Mekfira Hussein knowingly and willfully conspired with others to partic  more

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, Feb. 4 -- Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon issued the following news: * * * Minnesota Students Awarded National Association of Secretaries of State John Lewis Youth Leadership Award Brady Sternberg and Markus Wessman recognized for civic leadership SAINT PAUL - Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon is proud to announce that two Minnesota students were recognized at the National Association of Secretaries of State 2025 Winter Conference as recipients of the Joh  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 -- Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minnesota, issued the following news release: Following the news that 62 investigations have been opened to investigate federally funded childcare centers in Minnesota for fraud and other serious violations, Congressman Tom Emmer joined Minnesota's Republican Congressional delegation in a letter to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz demanding answers and accountability. The letter reads (in part): "Minnesotans deserve better leadership, and they deserve transp  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 -- Rep. Pete Stauber, R-Minnesota, issued the following news release: Following the news that 62 investigations have been opened to look into federally funded childcare centers in Minnesota for fraud and other serious violations, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) led Minnesota's Republican Congressional delegation in sending a letter to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz demanding answers and accountability. The letter reads (in part): "Minnesotans deserve better leadership, and t  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 -- Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, ranking member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, issued the following statement on Feb. 2, 2025: * * * U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry, released the following statement on President Trump announcing tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. "These tariffs will only make it harder for American families to put food on the table and for Ame  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 -- Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) announced the Senate passage of their bipartisan resolution designating January as National Stalking Awareness Month. The resolution raises awareness of the dangers of stalking and highlights the need for law enforcement to prevent this predatory behavior. Approximately 1 in 3 women in the U.S. have experienced stalking at some point in their liv  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 -- Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release: * * * U.S. Rep Betty McCollum Statement on Elon Musk's Illegal and Unconstitutional Raid on Federal Agencies WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Over the weekend, The New York Times (link is external) reported that allies of Elon Musk have obtained access to the Treasury Department's federal payment system, allowing Mr. Musk and his team to access highly sensitive information about Social Security payments, Medicare be  more