Midwest
Minnesota lawmakers propose controversial medically-assisted suicide bill
This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.
Minnesota state lawmakers are re-introducing a bill to legalize medically-assisted in dying, which is legal in 10 states and Washington, D.C.
The controversial bill would allow Minnesotans with terminal illnesses to self-administer a prescription medication that would kill them over a period of time — a practice that some argue is an ethical way to end suffering while others argue that it is a dangerous slippery slope for those in a vulnerable mental state.
“I’m proud to carry the Minnesota End-of-Life Options Act once again at the legislature. Over the past several years, I’ve heard countless stories from Minnesotans who want the ability to decide, with their doctors and loved ones, how they spend their final days,” State Rep. Mike Freiberg said during a Thursday press conference, as FOX 9 Minneapolis first reported. “Their message is clear: They want compassion, autonomy and peace at the end of life.”
The Minnesota legislation is modeled on Oregon’s 1997 Death with Dignity Act.
MINNESOTA LAWMAKERS INITIATE DEBATE ON PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE BILL
Minnesota lawmakers are re-introducing the controversial End-of-Life Options Act. (iStock)
“The person has to be an adult with a terminal illness and a prognosis of six months or less to live. They must be mentally capable of making decisions, and they must be able to self-ingest the medication,” Freiberg said during the Thursday press conference.
The state representative told Fox News Digital in a statement that the bill “is about trusting Minnesotans to make personal medical decisions with their doctors and families.”
“The End-of-Life Options Act has been working safely and compassionately elsewhere for more than 25 years—we can bring that same peace of mind to people in Minnesota,” he said.
Freiberg noted during the press conference that two medical clinicians must be able to confirm the person’s diagnosis and consent, and the person undergoing medically-assisted death must also take a mental health examination.
LEGALIZED ASSISTED SUICIDE PUSH IN US ALARMS DOCTORS, DISABILITY ADVOCATES: ‘WHERE DO YOU DRAW THE LINE?’
Medically-assisted suicide is legal in 10 states and Washington, D.C. (Thomas Jansen-Lonnquist for The Washington Post )
The legislation is aimed at alleviating suffering for those with terminal, life-altering illnesses that impact physical and mental capability, such as ALS.
Tom Albin, who has ALS, spoke during the Thursday presser, as FOX 9 first reported.
“ALS is cruel. It will eventually trap me in a body that can’t move.”
“I am not suicidal, I love my life and the people in it,” Albin said. “With my medical team, I’ve done things to extend my life with a feeding tube and a non-invasive ventilator. But ALS is cruel. It will eventually trap me in a body that can’t move. But I’ll be fully aware of it the whole time. And there’s no escape.”
ASSISTED DEATHS MAY SOON BE A REALITY FOR THOSE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL ILLNESS IN CANADA
Tom Albin, who has ALS, spoke in favor of the Minnesota End-of-Life Options Act on Thursday. (FOX 9)
Gina Schneider, regional campaign and advocacy manager for Compassion & Choices Action Network, told Fox News Digital that the organization is “so grateful for lead sponsor Rep. Mike Freiberg’s dedication to bringing the compassionate option of medical aid in dying to Minnesota by reintroducing the End-of-Life Options Act”
“All Minnesotans deserve a full range of end-of-life care options,” Schneider said. “We hope the legislature will honor the will of 73.2% of Minnesota voters who support this option for terminally ill adults in their final six months or less of life by getting HF 2998 to Governor Walz so he can make it law in 2025.”
The Minnesota Alliance for Ethical Healthcare is taking a different stance, with spokesperson Nancy Utoft highlighting the potential dangers of such legislation in a news release shared with FOX 9.
The Minnesota legislation is modeled on Oregon’s 1997 Death with Dignity Act. (Getty Images)
“Physician-assisted suicide is often framed as a compassionate option, but the reality is that it deepens existing inequities in our healthcare system and places vulnerable individuals—especially those with disabilities, limited financial resources, and communities of color—at greater risk,” Utoft said. “We should be saying yes to better care, not legalizing an option that pressures people into ending their lives prematurely.”
Canada legalized medical assistance in dying (MAID) in 2017, and the nationwide law has prompted arguments about how medically-assisted suicide may prompt those suffering from mental health disorders to end their lives prematurely.
Minnesota state senators are expected to introduce the bill next.
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Activities are planned throughout metro Detroit this week to celebrate the federal holiday known as Juneteenth, which marks Black Americans’ freedom from slavery.
On June 19, 1865, institutionalized slavery ended in Texas, the last state where it remained two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. The date officially became a federal holiday on June 17, 2021, credited largely to the activist Opal Lee, known as the grandmother of Juneteenth.
Here is a sampling of events planned to mark the event this week:
∎ Wednesday, June 17
Juneteenth jazz & blues concert: An evening of jazz and blues in honor of the celebration of Juneteenth. Hosted by the Friends of the Southfield Public Library, in the library meeting room, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at 26300 Evergreen Road, Southfield. More information here.
∎ Thursday, June 18
Juneteenth Family Paint Party: Children ages 5+ and their caregivers can join artist Candace Dove in the family-friendly activity of creating Juneteenth paintings at the Detroit Public Library Bowen branch. All supplies will be provided, and registration is required. Runs from 6-7 p.m. Event is at 3648 Vernor Highway, Detroit. More information here.
∎ Friday, June 19
“Juneteenth at Wilson: The stories of us,” sponsored by the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, will celebrate “the complexity of the American story” with music, dance, art and interactive activities on June 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free, family-friendly event takes place at Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park at 1801 W. Jefferson in Detroit. The event, presented by Huron-Clinton Metroparks, has a storytelling theme that encourages attendees to share stories that celebrate the freedom Juneteenth represents. More info here.
Juneteenth Forever Detroit parade and celebration, 9 am-1 p.m. June 19, starting at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, 2080 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit. End point is at the Joseph Walker Williams Recreation Center, 8431 Rosa Parks Boulevard, Detroit. Admission is free. More info here.
Juneteenth at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History: The museum celebrates freedom of enslaved African Americans through commemorative ceremonies, silent disco yoga, cultural performances, educational workshops, and film.10 am- 5 p.m. June 19. Free, Wright Museum, 315 East Warren Avenue, Detroit. More information here.
Hart Plaza Juneteenth Block Party: This daylong block party is all-ages and family-friendly, consisting of art displays, activities, food, musical performances, and creative vendors. Runs noon-5 p.m.; ticketed concerts including Fetty Wap and Kash Doll start after 5 p.m., Hart Plaza. More info here.
Ypsilanti’s annual Juneteenth celebration: Ypsilanti hosts its annual Juneteenth Celebration over three days in the downtown area, June 19-21. Event includes community organizations, live performances, local vendors, and a kids’ corner. Times vary. More info here.
∎ Saturday, June 20
Freedom Festival at Rouge Park: Free festival fun with food trucks, vendors, bounce houses, face painting, and haircuts, along with live performances such as African drumming, dancing, music, storytelling, poetry, and more. 12-4 p.m. June 20. Free. Rouge Park (Joy & Spinoza Green space). More information here.
athomas@detroitnews.com
Milwaukee, WI
South Milwaukee jewelry artist brings handmade soccer-inspired earrings to city’s World Cup block party
SOUTH MILWUAKEE — South Milwaukee artist Briana Hibbs is celebrating the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a pari of earrings she made herself — and she will be selling them in person at the city’s second World Cup block party Friday afternoon outside Moran’s on Milwaukee St. in South Milwaukee.
“This has got me pumped and excited and to learn more about the World Cup. So we have some official 2026 balls that I made for earrings so you can celebrate and honor this year’s World Cup,” Briana said.
Briana Hibbs
Briana gave up the corporate world a few years ago to focus on her passion for making jewelry. Her business grew out of a Friendsgiving gathering where she wore her first handmade pair to test the reaction.
Watch: South Milwaukee artist makes soccer-inspired earrings:
Celebrating the World Cup with jewelry
“I wore my first pair of earrings that I made to see if my friends liked them. And I was like, well, I’ll just wear these, see if anybody says anything or wants a pair. And then my friends were like, ‘Wait, you made those? Can I have a pair?’ So it kind of started out like that, and then people kept seeing them and then asking where to get their own pair, and it kind of just blew up from there,” Briana said.
Briana Hibbs
Made by the Lake has since grown into more than a business — it has become a community. Briana runs a Facebook group by the same name where customers share photos of themselves wearing her earrings, which fans have nicknamed “ear-fees.”
“People share their selfies, which people call them their ear-fees, you know, so you share your ears, what earrings you’re wearing, and then people also recognize each other that way too, which is really fun that they share the stories with me that they go to like the doctor’s office for instance, and their nurse is wearing my earrings and they’re like Made by the Lake, and they’re like, yeah, Made by the Lake. So it’s like we’re like a little community too, which is fun,” Briana said.
Briana Hibbs
Briana, who was born and raised in South Milwaukee and still lives there with her husband — her middle school sweetheart — said she is looking forward to setting up as a vendor at the block party.
“The block party is awesome. Any excuse to get out and be outside and celebrating with the community, which is really fun.” Briana said.
Her jewelry is available through her Facebook group and Instagram. She will also be on-site as a vendor Friday afternoon during Moran’s Pub second World Cup Block Party, you can learn more by clicking here
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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