>>ATV Breaks Through Ice on Lake Francis
(Meeker County, MN) – Two men escaped injury after their ATV broke through the ice on Lake Francis Saturday night. Deputies say 20-year-old Nicholas Eckhoff of Dassel and 20-year-old Gabrial Laplante of Litchfield ended up in waist-deep water around 9:44 p.m. Both made it safely to shore and declined medical care. Meeker County Sheriff Brian Cruze reminds the public that early ice is never completely safe. As a guideline: 4 inches for walking, 5-8 inches for ATVs, 9-12 for cars, and 13-17 for trucks. Officials urge everyone to check ice thickness before venturing out.
>>Fire Damages Dassel Home, No Injuries Reported
(Dassel, MN) – Just after 9:00 a.m. Sunday, Meeker County deputies responded to a house fire in Dassel. Heavy smoke was seen coming from a second-story window. The owner, 65-year-old Connie Pool, and another occupant, John Klingelhoets, 42, were home at the time. Fire crews extinguished the blaze, but the home sustained significant fire and smoke damage. The fire is believed to be electrical in nature. The Minnesota Fire Marshal is investigating. No injuries were reported.
>>Governor Walz Signs Cannabis Agreement with Red Lake Band
(St. Paul, MN) – Governor Tim Walz and the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) have signed a cooperative agreement with the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, creating new opportunities for state-licensed cannabis businesses to partner with the Tribe for product supply. “This partnership opens a new outlet for state-licensed cannabis businesses and honors the independence of the Red Lake Band,” said OCM Executive Director Eric Taubel. The Legislature directed these agreements to strengthen health and safety, ensure equity, and provide financial benefits to both the state and Tribal Nations.
>>AG Ellison Sues Uber Over ‘Zombie Subscriptions’
(Saint Paul, MN) – Attorney General Keith Ellison is suing Uber, accusing the company of making it nearly impossible to cancel its Uber One subscription and misleading consumers about savings and billing. Ellison says Uber created “zombie subscriptions” by using a confusing, multi-step cancellation process and hiding the option to end memberships during the final 48 hours of billing cycles. The lawsuit also claims Uber billed customers before free trials ended and exaggerated savings by excluding the $9.99 monthly fee. Ellison says the suit aims to stop deceptive practices and protect Minnesotans. He encourages those who have struggled with predatory monthly subscription services to file a complaint with his office.
>>Two Saint Paul Starbucks Stores Unionize Amid Nationwide Strike
(Saint Paul, MN) – Two more Starbucks stores have voted to unionize as baristas continue a nationwide strike over unfair labor practices. Workers at the West 7th store in Saint Paul voted 18-1 on Wednesday, and the Wayzata Boulevard store voted 11-5 on Thursday to join Starbucks Workers United. They’re calling for better pay, improved staffing, and a fair first contract. The two stores become the 15th and 16th in Minnesota to unionize, joining more than 11,000 baristas at over 560 stores nationwide. Union leaders say they’re prepared to keep striking until Starbucks returns to the bargaining table.
>>Gas Prices Drop Ahead of Holidays
(Undated) – Minnesota drivers are seeing lower prices at the pump just in time for Christmas. GasBuddy reports the state average fell 6 cents last week to $2.75 per gallon. Nationally, prices dropped to $2.85—the lowest since March 2021—while diesel averages $3.61. Analysts say refineries finishing maintenance and boosting output, along with added OPEC production, are driving the decline. Experts expect prices to remain steady through the holidays.
>>Duluth Firefighters Donate Record Amount to Toy Drive
(Duluth, MN) – Duluth firefighters are spreading holiday cheer with a record-breaking donation. This morning, current and retired members of the Duluth Fire Department gathered at Target to shop for toys as part of their 25th annual employee toy drive. They raised more than $7,000 in donations—setting a new record—and delivered three vehicle loads of toys to the Salvation Army’s holiday drive. Deputy Chief Rob Morehouse says the department is proud to support families in need and wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday season.
>>Two $50K Powerball Wins in Minnesota
(Roseville, MN) – Two small-town lottery players are celebrating big wins. The Minnesota Lottery says two tickets matched four numbers plus the Powerball in Saturday’s drawing, each worth $50,000. The winning tickets were sold at Mentor C Store in Mentor and Emily Jo’s in Shafer. The Powerball jackpot now climbs to an estimated $1.1 billion for tonight’s drawing.
