Minneapolis, Minnesota – A state senator and former broadcast meteorologist found herself in legal trouble early Monday after being arrested on suspicion of burglary in Detroit Lakes, a city in northwestern Minnesota. Democratic Sen. Nicole Mitchell, 49, of Woodbury, was taken into custody and held at the Becker County Jail on potential charges of first-degree burglary, according to Detroit Lakes Police Chief Steve Todd.
Mitchell, who previously worked in the broadcast industry before transitioning into politics, did not immediately respond to a voicemail left for her at the jail. It remains uncertain whether she has legal representation at this time. The timing of her arrest during the Senate’s Passover break poses potential challenges for Senate Democrats as they navigate a slim one-seat majority with important legislative sessions looming in the final weeks of the current session.
Prior to her political career, Mitchell served as a meteorologist for the U.S. military and various media outlets, including KSTP-TV, Minnesota Public Radio, and The Weather Channel. She also maintains a role as lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard. Law enforcement was alerted to the burglary by a homeowner’s 911 call reporting ongoing criminal activity at her residence, leading to Mitchell’s arrest after a search of the premises.
As details surrounding Mitchell’s arrest continue to unfold, officials are reluctant to disclose additional information about the case until formal charges are filed. The community was surprised by the revelation that Mitchell’s father, who recently passed away, and stepmother reside on the same block where the senator was apprehended, as per public records and an obituary posted by a local funeral home.
The Senate Democratic Caucus expressed awareness of Mitchell’s situation but opted to withhold comment until further information surfaces. Conversely, Republican Senate Majority Leader Mark Johnson, though taken aback by the news, refrained from elaborating on the matter pending additional disclosures. In light of the circumstances, Johnson emphasized the public’s expectation for elected officials to uphold a high standard of behavior, intimating that appropriate consequences should align with the severity of Mitchell’s actions both in the legal system and within the legislature.