Hagedorn takes aim at drug prices

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jim Hagedorn of southern Minnesota says he supports bipartisan efforts to lower prescription drug costs for all Americans.

Hagedorn supports H.R. 965, introduced by Democrat Rep. David Cicilline of Rhode Island, to push lower-cost generic drugs to market. He said the legislation would, in effect, penalize branded drug makers that withhold samples from generic manufacturers.

Hagedorn is also a co-sponsor of H.R. 2700, offered by Republican Rep. Michael Burgess of Texas. He said the bill expands low-cost drug options and generic competition, and funds community health centers and other public health programs.

Hagedorn said these bills stand in contrast to H.R. 987, a bill Democrats brought to the House floor this week. He said it would annually authorize hundreds of millions of dollars to address Obamacare’s failures. He also said it would cause millions of Americans to lose their health care plans. For these reasons, Hagedorn voted against H.R. 987.

Highway 4 construction slated

SHERBURN — The public is invited to attend a construction open house for the Highway 4 project from Sherburn to the Iowa state line from 5:30-6:30 p.m. June 4 at Dunnell City Hall.

Construction is expected to begin June 17, with a detour of Highway 4 from Dunnell to the Iowa line. Traffic will be directed to use Martin County roads 8 and 29 and Iowa roads N26 and A17. As work progresses, the detour will extend north of Dunnell to Sherburn using Martin County Road 13 until completion in late August or early September.

At the June 4 meeting, MnDOT staff and the contractor will be available to visit one on one with residents and motorists affected by the project.

More detailed information and detour maps for both sections can be found at www.dot.state.mn.us/d7/projects/hwy4sherburn

Inmate allegedly ran prostitution ring

MORA (AP) — An inmate at the Kanabec County Jail is charged with running a prostitution ring from his cell.

Daniel Ellington, 38, is charged in Washington County District Court with two counts of sex trafficking and two counts of promotion of prostitution.

Prosecutors say Ellington communicated with a prostitute by text and “promoted and profited” from her activities in Woodbury last month.

East Metro Sex Trafficking Task Force director Imran Ali says Ellington was 100 miles away and incarcerated, yet was promoting prostitution and profiting from it.