Minnesota News Briefs January 22, 2024
PM Report
MN, WI get $1B federal dollars to replace Blatnik Bridge, Biden to visit Superior on Thurs
(Washington, DC) — Minnesota and Wisconsin have secured a requested one billion dollars in federal funding to replace the aging Blatnik (BLOT-nick) Bridge between Duluth an Superior, Governor Tim Walz and Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith announced today (Mon). President Joe Biden returns to Superior on Thursday, about two years after he visited the bridge to spotlight the trillion-dollar infrastructure package he signed. Biden will be in the Twin Ports later this week to talk about his administration’s economic plans.
ND Gov. Burgum not running for re-election, says it’s too early to speculate on whether he’ll be in Trump administration
(Bismarck, ND) — North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, who announced today (Mon) he’s *not* running for a third term, says it’s too early to speculate whether he may be part of a second Trump administration. Burgum says, “President Trump would have to win the nomination and he’d have to win a tough election in the fall. And then of course that’s all up to the president: The president gets to decide on who’s his running mate and who’s his cabinet team, and I’m sure that he’ll pick an excellent cabinet and an excellent running mate at the time of his choosing.” Trump said during his Iowa caucus victory speech that he hopes he’s going to be able to call on Burgum to be “a very important piece of the administration.” Burgum dropped out of the race for the G-O-P presidential nomination in early December and endorsed Trump the weekend before the Iowa caucuses.
Annual “March for Life” at MN State Capitol
(St. Paul, MN) — Many hundreds on the steps of the Minnesota State Capitol today (Mon), marking the anniversary of Roe -v- Wade. It’s 51 years since the U-S Supreme Court decided that landmark case legalizing abortion, but Governor Tim Walz says, “It’s also the second anniversary of ripping that freedom away.” Most states have either restricted or banned abortion. Minnesota is not among them, and pro-life groups want to oust the D-F-L majority in the state House. Walz and many fellow Democrats say they’re defending women’s right to bodily autonomy.
MN Gov. Walz Announces Expansion of Childcare for Military Families
(St. Paul, MN) — The launch of a new Department of Defense initiative, announced today (MON) by Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan at a childcare center in Brooklyn Park, will increase childcare options for military families. The measure will use a fee assistance program (Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood-PLUS) to give eligible military families access to state-rated providers with a quality level of three stars or higher, when on-base childcare isn’t available.
MSP Airport SEIU Workers Speak Out on Needs for Affordable Healthcare, Higher Wages
(MSP Airport, MN) — Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport workers with SEIU Local 26 spoke out today (MON) at the monthly meeting of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, advocating for affordable healthcare and higher wages for frontline workers. They include cart drivers, plane cleaners, wheelchair agents, and other workers who maintained the airport through the COVID-19 pandemic. This comes after last month’s interruption where workers were joined by Senator Erin Murphy, who promised to address the issues at the State Capitol, if the Airports Commission and employers do not.
Stewartville Woman Faces Murder Charges for Fatal Overdose
(Stewartville, MN) — A Stewartville woman is charged with third-degree murder in connection to the fatal fentanyl/meth overdose of 45-year-old Michael Janvrin last October. 43-year-old Shannon Brown told authorities she was with Janvrin when he collapsed around 3 a.m. She left and returned later in the morning with her children, finding Janvrin dead and calling 9-1-1. Authorities found a substance with fentanyl in Brown’s home during a search, which she admitted to taking with Janvrin.
Eight MN Cities Awarded Active Transportation Grants
(St. Paul, MN) — Eight Minnesota cities have been awarded Active Transportation Planning Assistance grants to reduce pollution, curb traffic, and increase residents’ health and safety. Funded by MN Legislature, the grants cover around $100,000 of technical assistance from a consultant to create more walking and biking destinations in communities. Grant recipients include Minneapolis, Rochester, St. Paul, Coon Rapids, Roseville, Alexandria, St. Peter, and Cannon Falls.
