>>Office of Cannabis Management’s Lottery for Preapproval Licenses on Tuesday
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management is hosting a lottery Tuesday to award preapproval licenses to cannabis businesses. Officials say 648 social equity applicants made it through the first round and are vying for the first 200 licenses. The O-C-M rejected two-thirds of the more than 18 hundred social equity applicants. Businesses awarded the preapproval licenses will be the first in the state to grow and sell adult-use cannabis. The lottery is a major milestone in opening retail operations sometime in 2025.
>>Staying Healthy Over the Holidays
(St. Paul, MN) — If you plan to travel over the holidays, consider getting a flu and COVID-19 vaccination. Minnesota Department of Health Disease and Prevention Control Director Jessica Hancock-Allen says this is the best way to protect yourself from illness: The COVID-19 and flu vaccines have proven to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death and are safe and effective. Remember that the full effect of immunity can take about weeks when vaccinating.
>>Two Horses, Cat Dead in MN Equestrian Center Fire
(Wilson, MN) — Two horses and a cat died after a fire at the Minnesota Equestrian Center in Winona County. Nearly 100 first responders attended the fire around noon Thursday at the Wilson residence. Officials say the damage to the center’s arena was minimal, but the home and first barn are a total loss. The scene and cause of the fire are under investigation.
>>Turkey Day Costs
(Undated) — Minnesota’s average cost of preparing a Thanksgiving Dinner is a bit higher than the national average of about $58. Karin Schaefer, executive director of the Minnesota Farm Bureau, says, “We’re at about $65.44, which is is still affordable when you think about the $6.50 per person per serving at that Thanksgiving feast. The most expensive item on the menu for Turkey Day is the turkey itself, which averages $28.27 in Minnesota for a 16-lb bird.
>>Minnesota Gopher Women’s Soccer Plays South Carolina in N-C-A-A Tournament
(Chapel Hill, NC) — The University of Minnesota women’s soccer team plays South Carolina today (Fri 1 pm) in the N-C-A-A Tournament. The Golden Gophers advanced to the second round with a 2-0 win over South Dakota State last week. The Gamecocks topped East Carolina 6-0 in the opening game. Minnesota is 2-and-0 all-time against South Carolina. Today’s game is being played on the campus of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.
