Fighting fraud in Minnesota programs; Xcel Energy rates to increase for Minnesota customers

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This is Minnesota Today for Friday, January 3rd. I'm Emily Reese and here's what's happening in Minnesota. Governor Tim Walz is bringing a more aggressive stance toward fighting fraud in state programs to the table as the legislature gets ready to tackle the issue this session. Clay Masters reports.

In the wake of multiple recent reports of multi-million dollar abuses of public programs, Wall says the state needs to step up its detection efforts. Part of that he says should happen with technology enhancements and part through stiffer criminal penalties for those who get caught. Wall's also set in motion a new investigative unit within the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to centralize fraud-fighting efforts.

that their tax dollars are being watched as closely as possible. And we should also have the tools to make sure that's happening. Republicans have accused the walls administration of being too lax. They describe the new measures as smoke and mirrors and say they'll push to go much further once the legislature reconvenes. I'm Clay Masters at the Capitol.

XL Energy's Minnesota customers will see higher electric rates starting this month. Last month, state regulators approved a 5.2% interim rate increase for XL. That amounts to a little more than five extra dollars a month for a typical household. The temporary rate took effect January 1st. It'll stay in place while regulators consider XL's larger overall rate increase request of about 13% over the next two years.

bitterly cold temperatures are expected through the weekend across Minnesota. Lows below zero are forecast for the entire region. Some places in northern Minnesota won't get above zero during the day. The cold air from the north will push a storm track well to our south. There are no snow storms on the near horizon. NPR meteorologist Sven Sundgaard says the snow drought across Minnesota is starting to look like last winters. Duluth only has three inches of snow on the ground. Normal for this time of year should be 11 inches. Twin cities, even of course, bare ground.

We average four inches of snow depth, even in our modern average for January 3rd. So this is putting us in the bottom 5% climatologically for snow depth for early January.

The snow that exists across northern Minnesota, Sven says, is icy after melts and re-freezes. The poor conditions have prompted officials to postpone the 40th running of the John Bear Gree's sled dog marathon, as well as the gun-flint mail-run sled dog race. The chairperson of the Boys Fort Band of Chippewa is stepping down. According to a news release from the band, chairperson Kathy Chavers announced her retirement yesterday. She'll stay in office through the end of January to allow for a transition period.

The tribe's vice chair, Shane Drift, will assume leadership until a special election can be held.

The Minnesota Vikings have one more regular season game left. Sunday night, they'll play the Detroit Lions in Detroit. The winner of the game will finish in the top spot in the NFC, which includes a buy during the wildcard round of the playoffs and home field advantage through the NFC playoffs. The loser ends up with a wildcard spot. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell says the Lions who beat Minnesota earlier this year will be tough to beat on the road.

They're a complete team. They play well in all three phases. Dan has those guys absolutely ready to, you know, they play physical, physical brand of football. They're going to compete. They're very well coached across the board. Sunday night's game starts at 7 20 elsewhere in sports. The football gophers play Virginia Tech tonight in the Duke's Mayo Bowl in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Last night, the wild beat the capitals in Washington, 4 to 3. Next up, they play the hurricanes in Carolina. The Minnesota Frost beat the Boston Fleet. Last night, the Frost host New York tomorrow. Timberwolves lost to the Celtics last night. The wolves face the pistons tomorrow in Detroit. Go for men's basketball team lost to Purdue last night. Go for women's basketball. They play at Illinois on Sunday.

And Fargo's North Dakota State plays Montana State for the FCS Football National Championship College, that is, on Monday in Frisco, Texas. Your forecast for Minnesota tonight, partly cloudy, lows from minus 20 to about zero. On Saturday, sunny, highs from minus 10 to 10 above. That's it for Minnesota Today. Thanks for listening. Phil Picardy will have an update for you on Monday morning.