Slovakia’s populist prime minister Robert Fico was wounded in a shooting Wednesday afternoon and taken to a hospital.

Ta3, a Slovakian TV station, said that Fico, 59, was hit in the stomach after four shots were fired outside the house of culture in the town of Handlova, some 93 miles northeast of the capital, where the leader was meeting with supporters. A suspect has been detained, said ta3.

The shooting in Slovakia comes three weeks ahead of crucial European parliament elections.

Republican leaders of the Minnesota legislature called on Democrats Tuesday to drop a proposed state equal rights amendment, better fund rural ambulance services and make other concessions as part of their price for GOP votes on a public works package and an end to filibustering that has slowed the final work of the 2024 session.

Republicans in the legislature said at a news conference that they have been shut out of shaping the major bills of the session and that they won’t supply votes unless they’re heard.

April was the windiest month this year in Minnesota, and the sailing and rowing clubs at St. Thomas have noticed changes in practicing and competitions.

The high winds limited rowing from practicing on the Mississippi River, though sailing, also dependent on weather patterns, said the wind hasn’t been all bad. Check TommieMedia for the full story.

Elaina Mankowski can be reached at elaina.mankowski@stthomas.edu.