Good morning, and happy Friday. 

At noon today Gov. Tim Walz will join me on the radio for about a half hour, then I’ll talk to Louis Johnston, economics professor at the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University about inflation and the economy. Got a question? Share it here and I'll do my best to include it. I hope you can listen in on MPR News. 

Students are expected to be back in Minneapolis schools on Monday after the union representing teachers and the school district reached a tentative contract agreement early this morning. Neither side is releasing details of the agreement yet. The union released a statement this morning saying "these historic agreements contain important wins for our students and the safe and stable schools they deserve. These deals are what 4,500 MFT members went on strike for. ... It is important to note that major gains were made on pay for education support professionals, protections for educators of color, class size caps and mental health supports." “We walked out united to change the trajectory of MPS and ensure that educators have a greater say in how we do our work. This too has been achieved and will have impacts that improve our district for years to come.” The union said its members are expected to vote on the tentative contracts over the weekend.

Minnesota’s unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been since early in 1999 as companies confront a tight labor market.MPR’s Brian Bakst reports the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for February was 2.7 percent. That’s down two tenths from the month before. The state agency that tracks the figure says 5,200 jobs were added to payrolls last month – the fifth consecutive month of gains. Another statistic shows a decent-sized uptick in the labor force participation rate. Nationally, the unemployment rate last month was 3.8 percent. Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development reports that about three-fourths of the private sector jobs shed during the early months of the pandemic have been added back. While the picture is improving, unemployment rates for Black and Hispanic Minnesotans are still notably higher than that of white workers. “Overall, we're getting better,” said Angelina Nguyen, DEED’s director of research. “There are still some racial inequities that are very evident.” But the positive news on Minnesota’s job front is also sparking concerns about the ability of employers to fill open slots.

A bill that would devote state money to ALS research and family support has one more step to go before reaching the governor’s desk.  The House passed the bill Thursday by a vote of 121-9. It would provide $20 million for grants to seek a cure and develop assistive technology for people living with the disease. Another $5 million would go toward caregiver support. The terminal disease causes people to gradually lose their ability to speak, walk and breathe. State Senator David Tomassoni has had a steep decline since his diagnosis last year and has championed the bill in his final session. Rep. David Lislegard, DFL- Aurora, who sponsored the House version, praised the Iron Range senator. “Senator Tomassoni, he could have just laid down,” Lislegard said. “He used this unfortunate moment to better peoples’ lives.” Rep Anne Neu Brindley, R-North Branch, who lost her husband to ALS, said the family support element is crucial. “That care is 24/7,” she said. “You literally cannot leave their side for minutes even. Because if something goes wrong with that ventilator, you have to be there to deal with that.” A slight difference between House and Senate bills will force one more vote, which could come Monday. Gov. Tim Walz has promised to sign the legislation. 

The House voted unanimously Thursday to drop any Russian or Belarus investments from state investment accounts because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Minnesota has more than $100 billion in pension investments. Divestment of securities tied to the two countries would reduce that total by less than $10 million. Stock values associated with the two countries have plummeted since Russia invaded Ukraine a month ago. The bill also bars any state contracts with entities headquartered in the two countries. State officials know of none presently. The Senate is expected to vote next week on the measure.

The Associated Press reports the DFL majority in the state House beefed up its public safety package with $50 million in extra money Thursday and called on Republicans who control the Senate to work with them to fight rising crime , one of the top issues for this year's election campaign. The extra money, on top of the Democrats' original $100 million proposal, would go mostly toward grants to the 20 cities and 20 counties with the highest crime rates, or fastest-growing rates. They could use it to finance “innovative public safety solutions" that they design to meet their own needs. The bill also includes $15 million so that law enforcement agencies across the state would be able to afford body cameras for every officer to promote accountability. The bill's chief author, Rep. Cedrick Frazier, of New Hope, said the money would help local officials, police chiefs, prosecutors and community groups team up against rising violence. The plan also includes funding to help recruit and retain officers, while better training them on the proper use of force, the duty to intervene and conflict de-escalation. “Our Republican colleagues constantly parrot that crime is a problem in big Democratic cities. That tactic is predictable as it is tiresome," Frazier said at a news conference, pointing at a map of the state that showed the counties with the highest crime rates and fastest crime growth are scattered across Minnesota.

The U.S. Senate confirmed Andrew Luger on Thursday as the next U.S. attorney for Minnesota — returning him to the role he previously held during the Obama administration.MPR’s Tim Nelson reports Luger was confirmed by a vote of  60-36, with 13 Republicans joining Democrats to support President Joe Biden's nomination. “Andy Luger is a dedicated public servant who will work to uphold justice and protect Minnesotans as our United States Attorney. I am confident he will serve our state with distinction and I am proud to have supported him throughout the confirmation process,” Minnesota Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar said in a statement released after the vote. “Andy Luger is exceptionally well-qualified to lead federal law enforcement efforts in Minnesota. I want to congratulate him on his confirmation to this important post,” Minnesota Democratic Sen. Tina Smith said in a statement. “I am confident that his experience, dedication to public service, and commitment to justice will help him lead the U.S. Attorney’s office in Minnesota with integrity.”

MPR’s Jon Collins reports the Minneapolis City Council voted Thursday to approve a union contract with the Police Officers’ Federation of Minneapolis. The proposed contract was criticized for offering economic incentives to police officers without substantial changes to provisions around officer discipline or accountability. The contract was approved 8-5, with council members Robin Wonsley Worlobah, Jason Chavez, Aisha Chughtai, Elliott Payne and Jeremiah Ellison voting against it.  Some council members expressed disappointment with the details of the contract, which has been in negotiations since 2019, but were wary of voting it down. City staff said doing so would trigger binding arbitration, a process which could result in worse outcomes for the city.  The 133-page contract costs about $9 million and includes retroactive raises for officers. It also includes a $7,000 bonus for officers who stay at their jobs through the end of this year or recruits who complete their probationary period. The deal boosts starting pay for officers, revises procedures around “critical incidents” such as police shootings and includes statements from the union supporting the city’s efforts at gender and racial equality.