A St. Paul man is accused of stealing vials of COVID-19 vaccine, recording the alleged theft, and posting it on social media.  Thomas Humphrey was arrested last Thursday on an unrelated charge in Blaine.  He was released the same day.  Meanwhile, Oakdale police say they're opening a theft investigation after Allina Health reported May 4th that the 32-year-old defendant stole a vial of the Pfizer vaccine from the clinic's vaccination site.

The NFL schedule gets released today, meaning Vikings fans will learn weeks and times for the first ever 17-game season.  Minnesota is one of the teams that adds a ninth road game this year; among the teams outside of the NFC North coming to U-S Bank Stadium are the Cowboys, Rams and Seahawks.

Boys volleyball will not be a sanctioned varsity sport in schools.  Yesterday, the Minnesota State High School League didn't achieve the two-thirds required vote to pass an amendment adding boys volleyball.  Advocates said volleyball is one of the fastest rising sports, and that volunteer teams eclipse the number of those in boys lacrosse.  Representatives who were against the proposal cited costs and the complications of Title 9.  Despite this, the MSHSL did vote to add sectional playoffs and a state tournament for girls wrestling starting with the upcoming school year.

The Minnesota House will vote tomorrow on a bill to legalize marijuana for adult use in the state.  That bill, which has passed through nearly a dozen committees, could face tough opposition in the Republican-controlled Senate if approved.  The legislation would allow Minnesotans 21 and over to buy and possess certain amounts of cannabis while also expunging the criminal records of those convicted for non-violent crimes involving marijuana.  Cannabis use is legal in 16 states and Washington, D.C.

Structures at one Maplewood park have suffered extensive damage following what could be arson last week.  Police say flames were put out on the playground at Gethsemane Park on Friday after two juveniles were seen running from the area.  No injuries were reported.  Investigators are looking into the cause of the blaze.  City officials are working with the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust to replace the playground.

Waite Park Police are looking for three suspects in connection to a robbery and assault on Sunday night.  Officers responded to the 1400-block of 7th Street South that evening to find a female victim.  She told police that three men confronted her while she was exiting her vehicle, demanded her money, and hit her in the face with a gun when she screamed.  They fled on foot when a nearby resident asked if she needed help.  Police say the three are described as Black men in their 20s, and ask that any tips be called into the Waite Park Police Department.

More coronavirus cases and related deaths have been reported in Minnesota.  Yesterday, health officials listed 583 new cases and nine additional deaths.  With those numbers introduced, the state's totals show over 589-thousand infections and about 72-hundred-40 deaths overall.  About two-million-667-thousand-770 people have received their first shot of the coronavirus vaccine so far.

Just over 60-percent of Minnesotans 16 and older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccination.  Tomorrow the CDC is expected to announce the all-clear in allowing kids 12 and older to be eligible for the Pfizer vaccination.  State Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm says this would mean an additional 300-thousand Minnesotans can roll up their sleeves for the shot: "It's going to take a lot of additional community-based strategies that we've talked about in the past couple of weeks.  Mobile vaccination, we're looking forward to partnering with some of our great community events over the summer." Malcolm expects Minnesota [...]

The Gopher State is getting more help from the federal government than previously expected.  Officials announced Monday that Minnesota will receive almost 200-million-dollars more under President Biden's coronavirus relief package.  Governor Tim Walz expressed hope, noting that the aid may help speed up negotiations over the state's next budget.  Governor Walz added that he knows how Minnesota can and can't spend its federal relief but did not share any further details.

Governor Tim Walz is pressing lawmakers to increase funding for childcare providers.  On Monday, Governor Walz asked state officials to grant nearly 48-million dollars to help boost what the Gopher State pays providers.  During his plea, Walz noted that Minnesota ranks near the bottom when it comes to how much providers are reimbursed for their services.  Governor Walz says the state must act now or risk seeing its federal childcare aid go to other states instead.