Minnesota allows ‘happy hour’ in nursing homes under new law easing alcohol restrictions
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed a bill Tuesday allowing nursing home residents to drink alcohol, clearing the way for “happy hour” in senior living facilities. Previously, Minnesota law barred facilities from organizing events that included alcohol without a liquor license. The new “Grandparents’ Happy Hour” law allows nursing homes and assisted living facilities to serve alcohol without one. The measure also updates the state’s liquor laws, allowing some cities to issue licenses and easing rules for certain businesses, including nursing homes and University of Minnesota facilities. Walz announced the bill in a post on X, encouraging seniors to enjoy a drink. STATE OFFICIALS AND DAYCARE MANAGER PUSH BACK ON VIRAL VIDEO FRAUD ALLEGATIONS IN MINNESOTA “Living in a nursing home shouldn’t mean giving up everyday freedoms,” Walz wrote in a post on X. “I just signed a bill allowing seniors living in nursing homes to consume alcohol – so that everyone can enjoy happy hour!” The law requires staff serving alcohol to be at least 18 years old, and facilities are responsible for ensuring residents do not overindulge. The bill drew attention during the legislative session, largely due to Anita LeBrun, an 88-year-old resident of an assisted living facility whose support went viral. FEDERAL PROSECUTORS OPEN INVESTIGATION INTO WALZ, FREY OVER ALLEGED IMPEDING OF LAW ENFORCEMENT “My friends and I love happy hour, just like many of you do, I am sure,” LeBrun said before the House Commerce, Finance and Policy Committee last month. “Over a shared drink, we get to reminisce about parts of our lives, military service, raising a family, the loss of a friend, and celebrating the golden phase of our lives too,” she said. LeBrun also told a state Senate committee that living in an assisted facility “doesn’t mean that we should have fewer freedoms than anyone else.” BIDEN-ERA HEALTH OFFICIALS QUIETLY URGED LIMITING ADULT ALCOHOL INTAKE AS TRUMP TAKES REINS FOR NEW GUIDANCE She later appeared on “Fox & Friends,” describing social gatherings with snacks and music where residents previously had to bring their own alcohol due to restrictions. While policies vary, senior living communities in many states allow residents to drink or host informal social hours. Minnesota’s rules stood out because they limited how facilities could organize and serve alcohol in communal settings. “This bipartisan bill increases independence and safety under clear regulations, while ensuring residents are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve—including the ability to get together for happy hour,” Walz said in a statement. As the bill was considered, industry advocates said it would preserve small routines that support quality of life. “Ultimately, the ‘free the happy hour’ bill is about restoring a fundamental expectation — that moving into a senior living community does not mean giving up one’s autonomy,” LeadingAge Minnesota, an industry group that represents senior living providers, said in a statement last month. Fox News Digital’s Deirdre Bardolf contributed to this report.
Argentina’s Milei sings and lights torch for Israeli national day
NewsFeed Argentine President Javier Milei sang and lit a ceremonial torch at Israel’s 78th Independence Day celebrations. Milei has doubled down on relations with Israel at a time when other leaders are distancing themselves. Published On 22 Apr 202622 Apr 2026 Click here to share on social media share-nodes Share googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Adblock test (Why?)
FIFA unlocks more World Cup tickets and adds new, more expensive categories
Football’s governing body puts more tickets on sale but has introduced new premium-priced tiers that angered some fans. Published On 22 Apr 202622 Apr 2026 The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) is putting more World Cup tickets on sale after angering some fans by adding new, more expensive categories. FIFA announced on Tuesday that it would make more tickets available at 11am EDT (15:00 GMT) on Wednesday for all 104 games in Categories 1, 2 and 3, in addition to the new “front category” pricing it added this month. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list The new category led to online complaints from fans, who said they had thought that the better seats in the categories they had bought tickets for were withheld, and they had been assigned less favourable locations. FIFA in December put tickets on sale at prices ranging from $140 for Category 3 in the first round to $8,680 for the final, then raised prices to as much as $10,990 when sales reopened on April 1. FIFA did not respond to an April 9 request for comment about the new ticket categories it added. Also on Tuesday, The Athletic reported that ticket sales are lagging for the US opener against Paraguay on June 12 at Inglewood, California. It said a document distributed to local organisers, dated April 10, said that 40,934 tickets had been bought for the US-Paraguay game, and 50,661 were bought for the Iran-New Zealand contest on April 15. FIFA projects the capacity at the Los Angeles SoFi Stadium, where the US-Paraguay and Iran-New Zealand games will be held, to be about 69,650, noting that it may change. FIFA’s December sale priced US-Paraguay tickets at $1,120, $1,940 and $2,735, and Iran-New Zealand seats at $140, $380 and $450. Advertisement Adblock test (Why?)
Tehran held military parades as ceasefire was set to end
NewsFeed Videos show large crowds attending a military parade in Tehran on Tuesday as the US-Iran ceasefire deadline approached. Donald Trump has since said the US was indefinitely extending it. Published On 22 Apr 202622 Apr 2026 Click here to share on social media share-nodes Share googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Adblock test (Why?)
Akhilesh Yadav’s Shocking No-Show in Bengal: Bihar’s Bitter ‘Flop Show’ Forces Mamata to Fight Alone?
Amid the high-voltage campaign and massive security deployment, one political puzzle is grabbing everyone’s attention-the surprising and complete absence of Akhilesh Yadav from the West Bengal election scene. It was assumed that Akhilesh would campaign vigorously in support of the TMC.
8 killed, many injured in blast at fireworks factory in Kerala’s Thrissur
At least eight people were killed and many others injured in a blast that occured at a fireworks manufacturing unit at Mundathicode in central Thrissur district in Kerala on Tuesday, officials said.
Why is Diet Coke missing? Out-of-stock shelves leave fans hunting for it across India
A sudden shortage of Diet Coke has left its fans across India puzzled, as the popular zero-sugar beverage has disappeared from online and offline stores. What is the real reason behind this shortage?
One year of Pahalgam attack: From JeM audio to Army’s stern warning, know key 5 updates
A year has passed since the Pahalgam attack on April 22, 2025, which saw merciless killings of tourists in the Valley. Victim families have not fully recovered even as life in the region has slowly returned to normal. Security has been tightened, but the key questions remain unanswered.
Major fire breaks out in packaging company in Gurugram; WATCH Video
A major fire broke out in a packaging company in Gurugram’s Sector 74. At least six fire tenders have rushed to the incident spot and firefighting operations are going on, according to an ANI report.
Pappu Yadav’s remark on women in politics, their exploitation draw criticism from BJP, Bihar’s Women Commission; know what happened
Independent MP from Purnia in Bihar, Pappu Yadav, has sparked a major controversy after giving a statement on women’s exploitation and their entry in politics. BJP and Bihar’s Women Commission have objected to his statements.