Minnesota News Network

>>Duluth recovering quickly from largest flooding event since 2012 disaster

(Duluth, MN) This past weekend Duluth saw its the wettest three days since the destructive flood of 2012, thanks to over five inches of rain. Several roads were closed in Duluth and St. Louis County due to flooding. But St. Louis County Public Works Director Jim Foldesi (FALL-duh-see) says, “It is the kind of damage that can be fixed in days, not weeks or months or years as we saw back in 2012.” Foldesi says majority of roads have been repaired and will be open by the end of the day, something he called a “shocking success story.” He says,”Many of the large box culverts, bridges on the larger stream and river crossings were replaced following the 2012 flooding event, and we are now reaping the benefits of a more resilient infrastructure system.” The Weather Service says most of the rainfall will move south into Carlton, Aitkin and Pine counties and potential for localized flooding is low in those areas. Meanwhile on Lake Superior beaches, there’s high risk of dangerous rip currents and swimming is not advised, regardless of experience.

>>Alumacraft lays off 68 workers at its boat factory in St. Peter

(St. Peter, MN) — Alumacraft Boat Company has laid off 68 employees at its plant in Saint Peter in south-central Minnesota, leaving about 200 at that location. A spokesman for BRP, the Canadian company that acquired Alumacraft in 2018, says “we made these very difficult decisions to adapt our production to the current marine industry realities and position the business for future growth.” Alumacraft, founded in 1946, was one of the first aluminum boat manufacturers in the U-S.

>>2 Dead in Amish Buggy Crash in Fillmore County

(Sumner Center, MN) — Two people are dead after a crash between a vehicle and an Amish buggy this morning (MON) in southeast Minnesota’s Fillmore County. It happened near Sumner Center, just over 6 miles from Racine. Two other people were hospitalized at Mayo Clinic in Rochester with unknown injuries.

>>Renewed search for Neveah Kingbird, Indigenous Teen Missing for two years

(Bemidji, MN) — Over the next two days, Bemidji police and an organization called “Bring Neveah Kingbird Home” is leading volunteers in a search for the Indigenous teen who went missing almost two years ago. Kingbird was 15 years old when she was last seen leaving a residence the morning of October 22nd, 2021. Kingbird is described as 5-4, 120 pounds, with black hair and blonde highlights when she went missing.

>>Scammers targeting those no longer eligible for Medical Assistance

(St. Paul, MN) — State officials are warning Minnesotans who are no longer eligible for the state’s Medicaid program (Medical Assistance) about a health insurance scam. The alert is for those who submitted paperwork to renew Medical Assistance benefits but were notified that they’re no longer eligible, and now must find other health insurance. Officials say scammers are pretending to be from the state-run health insurance marketplace, MNsure, and in some cases have taken money from people after telling them they must pay for help enrolling in a plan, or pay premiums up-front over the phone. C-E-O Libby Caulum (CULL-um) says MNsure.org is the safest place to shop for and buy health insurance, and certified assisters are available for free help with applications and enrollment.

>>3 Dead, 1 Critically Injured in Roseville Incident

(Roseville, MN) — Roseville authorities say a Saturday incident that left three men dead and one critically injured could have involved hallucinogenic drugs. The three who died are identified as John Thao, Fong Vang, and Meng Vang, all 32 years old with the surviving victim identified as 33-year-old Nou Xiong. Fang is suspected of killing the other two men, wounding Xiong, then killing himself.

>>George Floyd memorial murals moving to new home

(Minneapolis, MN) — Over a thousand plywood protest murals created after the police murder of George Floyd are on their way today (MON) to their new home — the Northrop King Building, an arts center in northeast Minneapolis. “Memorialize the Movement,” a grassroots organization addressing “the lack of racial and economic justice in Minneapolis,” is categorizing and moving the pieces to its new location, due to its current one being neither well-lit nor climate-controlled. The group plans to hold the murals in its new location for 5 years, allowing time to try to locate the various artists and learn each panel’s backstory.

>>Rochester Man Arrested for Groping Young Girl

(Rochester, MN) — A Rochester man is in custody after allegedly groping a young girl at an apartment complex over the weekend. Police responded to the complex around 2 p.m. Saturday, called for an “unknown problem.” There they took reports that a 39-year-old man had sexual contact with an 11-year-old girl in the hallway of the complex. The suspect is being held in Olmsted County for fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.

>>Essentia Health CEO Joins Gov. Walz’s Task Force

(Duluth, MN) — Essentia Health says its CEO, Dr. David Herman, will be one of 14 members of Governor Tim Walz’s task force to make recommendations on the future of academic health at the University of Minnesota. The task force will meet for the first time next Thursday, October 5th, and is expected to make recommendations to Walz by January 15th of next year.

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>>Ex police chief of Mille Lacs Band sentenced to over 28 years for child sexual abuse

**MEDIA REFERENCE – 2ND LINE**
(Little Falls, MN) — A former police chief of the Mille Lacs Band has been sentenced to more than 28 years in prison for sexually assaulting a child beginning about 2009 when she was six or seven and continuing for six years. The Star Tribune reports in 2021 the victim recorded a phone call when now-75-year-old Russell Bankey of Garrison admitted to the abuse and apologized. When she asked why, he said “I guess I was lonesome.” His attorney asked the judge for probation, arguing Bankey is remorseful, has the support of his family, and experienced “horrific abuse” as a child. In a separate case, Bankey is accused of assaulting another child on more than one occasion in 1991.

>>Man Charged with Murdering IA Officer to be Extradited from MN to IA

(Sleepy Eye, MN) — The man charged with the murder of Algona, Iowa Police Officer, 33-year-old Kevin Cram, signed a waiver today to be extradited to Iowa from Sleepy Eye in southern Minnesota, where he remains in custody. 43-year-old Kyle Ricke of Algona is charged with murdering Cram Wednesday night after Cram attempted to arrest Ricke on an active warrant.

>>Boy arrested after posting threatening video of himself outside Edina High School

(Minneapolis, MN) — A 17-year-old boy was arrested this morning (Fri) in Minneapolis, after authorities say he posted a video of himself displaying a gun outside Edina High School and threatening someone. Police say the teen is not a current or former student at Edina High School. Charges are pending. That school and adjoining Valley View Middle School went to virtual instruction today, authorities say out of an abundance of caution.
>>Hormel union rejects latest contract offer

(Austin, MN) — United Food and Commercial Workers Local 663 says its members have overwhelmingly voted against Hormel Foods’ latest contract proposal. The union says “Hormel’s record profits are… not shared fairly with the rest of us…. We demand that Hormel does better and comes to the table for a fair agreement quickly.” Hormel officials say they’re disappointed, “given the significant contract package offered,” but remain optimistic to reach agreement. The company says both sides have agreed to extend their current contract through October 8th.

>>Authorities I-D woman’s body in 23-year-old death investigation

(New Brighton, MN) — Investigators New Brighton in the north metro have a significant break in a 23-year-old cold case, identifying through genetic genealogy and D-N-A the remains of a woman found in Long Lake Regional Park in 2000. In September of that year, two teenagers on a walk in a wooded and marshy area discovered a body, now identified as that of Gail Marlene Johnson, age 40 at the time of her death, last known residence in Minneapolis. Investigators believe the body had been there up to two months and the medical examiner could not determine cause of death. Investigators say Johnson drove a black or gray 1989 Ford Mustang, had been a sex worker, and was known to spend time along Lake Street in Minneapolis. Anyone with information should contact the New Brighton Police Department.

>>West Fargo Police Ask Public for Help Finding Runaway Teen

(West Fargo, N.D.) — West Fargo Police are asking for the public’s help in finding a runaway teen. 13-year-old Sophie Fontaine left her home Wednesday and was last seen in West Fargo around 12 p.m. and authorities think she’s heading to the Grand Forks area. Fontaine is 5-foot-1, 105 pounds, with red hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information is asked to call the West Fargo Police Department.

>>Salvation Army “Coats for Kids” drive under way in Twin Cities

(Various) — The Salvation Army’s annual “Coats for Kids” campaign is under way through the end of September, and you can drop off new or lightly-used coats at the Roseville headquarters or any of seven service centers in the Twin Cities or at any Livea Weight Control Center. Salvation Army Spokesman Dan Furry says, “We’ve had a very hot summer but we know winter is going to come. We’re Minnesotans, so we know that winter is coming, and winter can be harsh.” Officials say providing a warm coat will give parents in struggling families one less thing to worry about for their kids. If you want to make a monetary donation, visit givecoats.org. Furry says 25 dollars can provide a high-quality coat to a local kid in need — although any amount is helpful.

>>Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office gears up with “Focus on Fentanyl”

(Minneapolis, MN) — “Focus on Fentanyl” is a new initiative created by the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office in an effort to stop opioid overdoses and deaths. Investigator, Major Rick Palaia (puh-LIE-uh) says, “We’ve seized 50 times more fentanyl in 2022 than we did in 2021 and 2020 and this year we’ve already seized enough fentanyl to potentially kill every person in Hennepin County.” Palaia says the initiative will be around for “as long as there are overdose deaths that are fentanyl-related.”

>>State Education Department has its first inspector general

(Roseville, MN) — The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) announced today (FRI) the agency’s first Inspector General, Patrick Wolfgram. As inspector general, Wolfgram is tasked with protecting the state from fraud, waste, and abuse through the agency’s programs, grants, and operations. State Education Commissioner Willie Jet says, “The Office of Inspector General gives MDE the authority for the proper oversight that is critical to ensure all our programs are administered with integrity for the students and people of Minnesota.” Wolfgram is a licensed peace officer, coming from his previous role as senior investigator at the Minnesota State Lottery. The state Education Department has been under fire from Republicans who say it didn’t adequate oversee state programs resulting in the massive Feeding our Future fraud scandal.

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>>State Health Dept. urging Minnesotans to get updated COVID vaccine

(St. Paul, MN) — The FDA announced approval of the updated COVID-19 vaccines Monday, the CDC issued formal vaccine recommendations Tuesday, and today (WED), Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Brooke Cunningham is voicing her support. Cunningham says, “Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 remains one of the best tools in our toolbox to fight COVID-19 and keep Minnesotans safe. The newly authorized, updated vaccines are an even more effective tool, targeting the variants we know are in our communities right now.” The CDC recommends everyone six months and older get the updated vaccine. Updated Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines will be available later this week.

>>Suicides up in Minnesota

(St. Paul, MN) — After reporting a slight dip during the pandemic, the Minnesota Department of Health says there’s an increase in suicides statewide at 835 in 2022. Doctor Steven Loos (loose), chief clinical officer at the Central Minnesota Mental Health Center says the key to preventing suicide is to know the warning signs. “We know that suicidality is really common in our community,” he says. “It’s tied closely to depression. That’s gonna be our first risk factor. Other warning signs include saying goodbye to family and friends, giving away belongings, and talking extensively about death. This is National Suicide Prevention Week.

>>Law enforcement groups launch petition drive for special legislative session on school resource officers

(Anoka, MN) — Leading law enforcement organizations have launched a petition drive as they continue pushing Governor Tim Walz to call a special session to fix what they call an unclear new state law, about when school-based officers can use certain restraint holds on students to stop altercations. House Speaker Melissa Hortman in a letter to city officials in the Anoka-Hennepin School District — where school resource officers have been pulled from some schools — says the legislature did *not* change the law which says officers will *not* face civil or criminal penalties if they comply with current statute which allows reasonable use of force to prevent bodily harm or death, and also in certain other circumstances. Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association Executive Director Jeff Potts responds there’s a lot of nuance to Minnesota law. “The law enforcement community, which really is the experts,… I have confidence that our police chiefs and sheriffs are interpreting the law correctly, and that’s why they have such big concerns,” he says.

>>Top analyst: Mankato East High School fight increases pressure for special session on school resource officers’ use-of-force

(Undated) — Hamline University analyst David Schultz says a fight inside Mankato East High School that injured a student puts increased pressure on Governor Tim Walz to call a special session on new law dealing with use-of-force by on-site school officers. Schultz says, “I don’t want to quite say it was for the Republicans or for the police a[n] ‘I told you so’ — but in many ways it was an ‘I told you so’ event, where they can say that, if you don’t change the law, something bad’s gonna happen. This is the something bad that happened.” Local law enforcement has pulled on-site officers (school resource officers) from some schools — Mankato East among them — warning the new law is unclear about when officers can use certain restraint holds on students. They say officers could be sued or even criminally charged for not doing enough — or doing too much — to stop fights. House Democratic leaders say the new law is clear that reasonable force is still allowed to prevent bodily harm or death.

>>DPS Releases Labor Day DWI Enforcement Campaign Statistics

(St. Paul, MN) — One-thousand-140 people were arrested for impaired driving during law enforcement’s Labor Day crackdown. The highest blood alcohol level recorded was 0.44, a life-threatening amount, caught by the Nobles County Sheriff’s Office. The most DWI arrests during the campaign in the Twin Cities metro area were in Golden Valley with 84 arrests and in Greater Minnesota it was Duluth with 23 arrests. DPS says as of this year, law enforcement across the state has arrested 19, 305 drivers for DWI, compared to 18,223 this time last year.

>>Man Arrested in Connection to 7-Year-Old Brother’s Death

(Eden Prairie, MN) — A 28-year-old man is in custody today (WED) in connection with the death of his 7-year-old brother earlier this week. Eden Prairie Police responded to a call of a man “in crisis” Tuesday night, where they found a 7-year-old boy unresponsive. The boy was taken to Fairview Southdale Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The victim’s older brother was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder after a medical evaluation and remains in custody. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office will release the victim’s identity and cause of death at a later time.

>>Cass Lake Lodge Destroyed by Fire

(Cass Lake, MN) — The Cass Lake Lodge, a popular summertime retreat in central Minnesota is a total loss after a fire. The lodge posted on Facebook saying the fire started sometime overnight into early this (WED) morning. No one was injured.

>>First meeting of A-G Ellison’s advisory group on “worker misclassification”

(St. Paul, MN) — Attorney General Keith Ellison today (Wed) held the first meeting with his new Advisory Task Force on Worker Misclassification, a group looking into Minnesota workers being improperly classified as independent contractors. Ellison says, “This is a key issue because misclassification denies employees access to critical benefits and protections they are entitled to: overtime, minimum wage, family and medical leave.” The task force plans to make initial policy recommendations in December, in time for the 2024 legislative session.

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>>Fischbach supports House Speaker McCarthy launching impeachment inquiry of President Biden

(Washington, DC) — “We have heard enough to be gravely concerned about the President’s conduct,” says 7th District Minnesota Congressman Michelle Fischbach, as House Speaker Kevin McCarthy directs a House committee open an impeachment inquiry. At the center of the investigation are business dealings of the president’s son, Hunter, before his father took office. Fischbach says “the American people deserve to know all the facts” and a formal impeachment inquiry is “the next logical step.” The White House calls the move “extreme politics at its worst.” Speaker McCarthy is making the move on his own, analysts say because he might not have enough Republican votes on the House floor to authorize it.

>>Group asking court to bar Trump from 2024 presidential ballot in MN

(St. Paul, MN) — An activist group called “Free Speech for People” is asking a court to bar former President Donald Trump from appearing on Minnesota’s presidential ballot in 2024. The petition contends Trump incited and facilitated the January 6th insurrection at the U-S Capitol and can’t hold public office under a section of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U-S Constitution. That disqualifies from public office any individual who has taken an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution but then engages in insurrection or rebellion against the United States. But some say Trump’s alleged actions don’t meet the constitutional definition of “insurrection.” Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon says his office has been getting a high volume of inquiries about whether he can investigate Trump’s eligibility, but Simon says that’s an issue for the courts.

>>Hackers access job-seeker contact info on state website

(St. Paul, MN) — Hackers might have gained access to job-seekers’ contact information on the state-run MinnesotaWorks-dot-net job boards, state officials are advising users. The state Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) says information such as addresses, e-mails and phone numbers could be involved, and people should not respond to any communication asking for additional private data. It’s unclear how many people are affected by the breach.

>>Minnesota-based CHS will return $730M to farmer-owners, second-highest distribution ever

(Inver Grove Heights, MN) — Minnesota-based C-H-S, the nation’s top farmer-owned agribusiness, announced today (Tues) it will return 730 million dollars in patronage and equity redemptions to its owners in 2024. It follows last year’s record-breaking one-billion-dollar distribution, and C-H-S says over the past decade it’s returned more than 3.2 billion dollars to owners. Analysts say farm income has been boosted by the war in Ukraine and post-pandemic demand for petroleum. But forecasters say producer income could be flattening.

>>MN A-G Ellison, 40 counterparts reach $35M settlement with Tempoe “no credit needed” company

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and 40 other attorneys general have reached a $35 million settlement with Tempoe, a Cincinnati-based company that advertises “no credit needed” to buy furniture, appliances and electronics. The multi-state investigation alleged Tempoe misled low-income families into thinking they were signing up for an installment plan when they were actually signing a lease agreement and paying two-to-three times the retail price of the product. The agreement, filed in Ramsey County court, says Tempoe will pay $33 million to roughly 19-thousand customers, another $1 million to the jurisdictions who are part of the settlement and another $1 million to the Consumer Protection Bureau. In addition, all existing leases issued by Tempoe have been canceled and the company is banned from future leasing activities, both in Minnesota and nationwide.

>>Superior Man Given Extended Sentence After Murder, Dismembering Rickey Balsimo

(Cook County, MN) — A man from Superior, Wisconsin convicted of murdering and dismembering Rickey Balsimo will spend the next 40 years in prison. 37-year-old Jacob Johnson was sentenced in northeast Minnesota’s Cook County for both second-degree intentional and unintentional murder of Balsimo, after a trial found aggravating factors to increase his sentence. Johnson will also have to pay over $11,000 in restitution to Balsimo’s family for his funeral and other expenses.

>>Minnesota IT Services launches whole-of-state cybersecurity plan

(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) launched the 2023 Whole-of-State Cybersecurity Plan this morning (TUES) in hopes of presenting a strong and united front against online threats. Spokesperson John Israel says over the past year the Minnesota Cybersecurity Task Force has been “looking at that broad approach about how we improve cybersecurity throughout the state for all of our local governments and tribal nations, school districts, and others that are eligible for some of the federal funding that become available last year.” Israel says MNIT (MINN-it) plans to distribute $23.5 million of federal funding over the next 4 years, with at least 80 percent going directly to programming and 25% designated for rural areas where resources are fewer.

>>Rider Dies in Crash at Motocross Park in Wabasha County

(Millville, MN) — Authorities in southeastern Minnesota are investigating a deadly weekend accident at the Meadow Valley Motocross Park in Millville. Wabasha County sheriff’s deputies say 23-year-old Austin Kristiansen of Le Center crashed his dirt bike Saturday afternoon and suffered fatal injuries. Investigators haven’t released any further information. Meadow Valley M-X has off-road motorcycle tracks and a trail system that allows dirt bikes and A-T-Vs.

>>Metro Transit Union Authorizes Strike

(Minneapolis, MN) — The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1005, representing Metro Transit drivers, operators, and mechanics, reports 94 percent of its members have authorized a strike if further contract negotiations fail. Talks with the Metropolitan Council began in March and their contract expired in July. The union is demanding pay raises, safety solutions, better shift differentials, and more one-piece runs. Both groups plan to negotiate later this month with at least two more sessions before any strike could begin.

>>Authorities seize meth bound for Rochester

(Oronoco, MN) — The Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office during a Sunday traffic stop seized several pounds of meth intended to be sold in Rochester. Troopers on a warrant searched the vehicle of 34-year-old Meredith Dirksmeyer of New Hope about two miles north of Oronoco (or-oh-NOE-coe), finding a packaged 3.4 pounds of suspected meth. Dirksmeyer told troopers the meth was hers and she was driving to Rochester to sell it.

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>>D-F-L Party leader injured in carjacking in driveway of her Minneapolis home

(Minneapolis, MN) — No arrests at this point, after four masked carjackers beat a Minnesota Democratic Party leader in the driveway of her Minneapolis home as her children watched and assailants held back neighbors who tried to intervene at gunpoint. D-F-L Party second vice chair Shivanthi Sathanandan — who suffered a broken leg, cuts to her head and bruises — wrote in a social media post accompanied by a picture of her bloodied head, “We need to get illegal guns off of our streets, catch these young people who are running wild creating chaos across our city and HOLD THEM IN CUSTODY AND PROSECUTE THEM. PERIOD.” Her car was later found abandoned. Carjackers face tougher penalties in Minnesota under a new law and sentencing guidelines that took effect August 1st.

>>Northeast MN wildfire 85 percent contained

(Barnum, MN) — Crews now have an 80-acre wildfire about 85 percent contained near Barnum and Moose Lake in northeast Minnesota. Leanne Langeberg at the Interagency Fire Center says firefighters are now concentrating on the east side of the fire, where peat soil could provide long-term fuel for it to spread underground. She says to cool down the peat, they’ll use heavy equipment to turn and mix it with bare mineral soil and water.

>>Vikings kick off 2023 season Sunday against Tampa Bay at U-S Bank Stadium

(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Vikings kick off the 2023 season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday at U-S Bank Stadium. Coach Kevin O’Connell says they need to get off to a good start. He says, “We want to come out with a bunch of energy, play fast and fly around in all phases of our team. And how we come out of the tunnel on Sunday is as important as anything ’cause it’s going to be a heckuva challenge against Tampa.” Minnesota went 13-and-4 last year but lost in the first round of the playoffs. Future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady retired from the Buccaneers this offseason.

>>Minnesotans remember the late Gov. Al Quie

(St. Paul, MN) — Flags are flying at half-staff on state buildings through sunset Saturday in honor of former Governor Al Quie, as Minnesotans paid their last respects this afternoon (Fri) at the State Capitol. Quie represented southern Minnesota’s 1st District in the U-S House for 20 years before serving one term as governor from 1979 to 1983. The Republican was known for working across the aisle with Democrats. Quie died on August 18th of natural causes at age 99. There’s a public funeral tomorrow (Saturday) at 1 pm at Central Lutheran Church in downtown Minneapolis.

 

>>Medical examiner identifies man who died in police custody in Faribault, no word yet on cause

(St. Paul, MN) — The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office has identified a man who Faribault police say lost consciousness while in a police squad and died a short time later at a hospital. Officers say 36-year-old Jerrell Skelton of Faribault led them on a “low speed” pursuit Saturday night and appeared to be going in and out of consciousness before he was stopped. The medical examiner is awaiting toxicology results to determine Skelton’s cause and manner of death. He had no apparent injuries.

>>Man Arrested for Outstanding Warrants, Police Found Gun, Over 130 Fentanyl Pills

(Fargo, N.D.) — A man is in custody after police in Fargo found over 130 fentanyl pills and a gun in his possession while executing several high-risk no-knock search warrants. Officers arrested 32-year-old Rex Dweh for possession with intent to deliver fentanyl and two outstanding warrants. The raid at an apartment complex is part of an ongoing narcotics investigation.

>>DNR launches fall color-finder map

(St. Paul, MN) — The D-N-R has launched its fall color-finder map which is updated every Thursday afternoon at dnr.gov/fallcolors. Spokeswoman Sara Berhow says, “One of the cool aspects of the fall color finder is the public can participate. We have a spot there where people can share their photos from their fall color adventures out on state lands.” Berhow says you can also sign up on the D-N-R’s website for weekly fall color updates.

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>>Few details after three found dead at Brainerd Lakes area resort

(Breezy Point, MN) — Authorities in the Brainerd Lakes area are releasing few details and continue their investigation after three people were found dead at a resort Tuesday night. Breezy Point police went to Whitebirch Resort on a call for assistance. They haven’t said what led up to the deaths, but did say “there is no indication of any ongoing threat to the public.” Names and hometowns of the three people haven’t been released. The state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is assisting with the investigation. Whitebirch Resort is just a few blocks from Pelican Lake.

>>MDH Offering Free COVID-19 Tests Again While Supplies Last

(Minneapolis, MN) — Free COVID-19 tests are again available for order as the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) resumes the program due to the uptick in COVID cases. Minnesotans can order eight free at-home rapid COVID tests, once per month, while supplies last. Officials with the CDC expect a new and up-to-date COVID booster this fall.

>>Ellison investigating companies that promise student loan forgiveness

(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison says his office is investigating 52 student-loan debt-relief companies — many headquartered in California — suspected of misrepresenting fees and services and promising student loan forgiveness, which only the federal government can offer. Ellison says student loan costs are already too high, and fraudsters preying on borrowers is “offensive.” Ellison is asking any Minnesotan to contact his office who’s encountered a company promising to help them get their student loan forgiven. The A-G says, “We’ve held companies like this accountable before and we’re doing it again.”

>>Rain not enough to extinguish wildfire near Barnum, ground crews continue working

(Barnum, MN) — Roughly a half-inch of rain dampened down an estimated 70-acre wildfire southeast of Barnum in Carlton County in northeast Minnesota, but was nowhere near enough to put it out and ground crews continue working to establish a control line with that blaze only about 10 percent contained. Officials say about six residences were evacuated Tuesday and occupants of three have been allowed to return, but around four structures are still threatened by the fire.

>>Edina Ex-Doctor Accused Of Molesting Several Patients Gets Sentencing Of Home Monitoring

(Minneapolis, MN) — A former Edina plastic surgeon is agreeing to a plea deal after being accused of molesting several patients. Christopher Kovanda was initially charged in November with two gross misdemeanor counts of fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct from the alleged assaults of two women in 2019 and 2021. He agreed Tuesday to plead guilty to gross misdemeanor counts of mistreating patients. Kovanda also is required to serve a month-and-a-half of electronic home monitoring. Sentencing is set for November 1st.

>>13 organizations getting state grants to fund research on Alzheimer’s, dementia

(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Board on Aging has issued 750-thousand-dollars in grants to 13 organizations across the state to help fund their research on Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Spokesperson Kari Benson says the grants focus on “trying to reach adults early on in their process where they are beginning to experience some symptoms of memory loss [and] wondering if they might have Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia. Benson says research shows early screening and diagnosis make a noticeable difference in managing symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

>>LGBTQ+ advocates say Kids Online Safety Act will limit access to transgender, queer resources

(St. Paul, MN) — LGBTQ+ advocates are criticizing a bill the U-S Senate is again considering — the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). Chair of the Minnesota House Queer Caucus, Representative Leigh Finke says Senate sponsors of the bill have stated they will use KOSA to limit access to transgender and queer resources. Finke says, “At a time when our community is under desperate attack already we cannot just allow further isolation and removal of helpful and affirming resources from our kids.” KOSA was originally introduced in 2022 but failed to pass. The current version of KOSA would allow state attorneys-general to censor internet content for anyone 16 and under.

>>Rochester Man Enter Plea Agreement to Child Pornography Charges

(Rochester, MN) — A Rochester man charged with possession of child pornography has finalized a plea agreement and will be sentenced next month. 24-year-old Dalton Berndt pleaded guilty to two counts last week, and under the terms a third charge would be dropped. Police charged Berndt in April after cyber tips involving suspected child sexual abuse were emailed to an address associated with him, which led to the discovery of child sexual abuse material on his devices. Berndt’s sentencing hearing is October 25th.

>>Albert Lea Artist Wins 2023 Waterfowl Stamp Contest

(Albert Lea, MN) — An Albert Lea artist is winner of this year’s Minnesota waterfowl stamp contest. Mark Kness’s winning entry is an acrylic painting of a ring-neck duck. Second places goes to Jake Levisen from Austin and his ring-neck duck painting with open acrylics, soft body acrylics, and water-mixable oils. The winning waterfowl stamp can be purchased in combination with a hunting license, or as a collectible.

>>U-of-M professor hiking 350 miles to raise money for brain cancer research, celebrate 50th birthday

(Undated) A University of Minnesota Medical School professor is hiking 350 miles to raise money for two brain cancer research charities and celebrate his 50th birthday. Doctor Matthew Hunt left Ely (EE’-lee) today (Wednesday) on a route across northeastern Minnesota and down to Duluth that’s expected to take five weeks. Hunt is raising funds to support the Glenn Garcelon Foundation and Humor to Fight the Tumor. His Facebook page is called “B-3-C Backpacking to Beat Brain Cancer. ”

>>Fargo Woman Takes Gold in Jiu-Jitsu Masters World Championship

(Fargo, N.D.) — A Fargo woman took home two gold medals after winning the Jiu-Jitsu Masters World Championships in Las Vegas. Katie Stensgard says she trains every day at Fargo’s Academy of Combat Arts gym and has competed in tournaments across America, earning her Blue Belt in her Masters age category.

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