>>Red Flag Warning for 18 northwest MN counties
A Red Flag Warning due to extreme risk of wildfires is in effect until 7 p-m tonight (Thurs) for 18 counties in northwest Minnesota, and residents should not do any new burning and check recent burns to make sure they’re completely out. Rain and cooler temps are in the forecast for the weekend, but whether it’s enough to reduce fire danger remains to be seen. Counties included in the Red Flag Warning are: Becker, Beltrami, Clay, Clearwater, Grant, Hubbard, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, Roseau, Wadena, and Wilkin.
>>Minneapolis Passes Amendment to Commercial Tobacco Ordinance
(Minneapolis, MN) — Minneapolis passed an amendment to its tobacco ordinance today (THURS), making the minimum per-pack price of cigarettes $15, the highest in the country. The bill also ends price discounts and coupons for commercial tobacco products, increases penalties for licenses that violate city policy, and ends the sampling “loophole” for any new shop. The City Council says the new policy focuses on reducing health disparities and the number of new young smokers, and on protecting the health of Minneapolis residents. Minneapolis has a history of implementing similar regulations since 2005.
>>Twins beat White Sox to sweep 4-game series at Target Field
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Twins beat the White Sox 6-3 this afternoon (Thurs) to sweep their four-game series at Target Field. Minnesota hit five home runs against Chicago, two by second baseman Eddy Julien. Rookie Simeon Woods Richardson pitched five innings of two-run ball and Cole Sands got the win in relief. The Twins open a three-game series tomorrow night (Fri) against the Angels in Anaheim.
>>Vikings have two first-round picks in NFL Draft beginning tonight
(Minneapolis, MN) –The 2024 N-F-L Draft begins tonight with the Vikings holding two first round draft picks and a vital need at quarterback. There has been speculation that general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah would trade the two picks to move up to get one of the top level Q-B prospects. He says he has to view tonight as a business situation and “I do think you’re supposed to price in a little bit of irrationality, but then really it’s always about walk-away prices. And, walk-away prices to me are meaningful, because it’s another action. Your leverage in the negotiation is your willingness to do something else. The team is hosting an N-F-L Draft Party for fans at U-S Bank Stadium tonight.
>>> 9-1-1 transcript from alleged Sen. Mitchell burglary released
(Becker County, MN) — Authorities today (THUR) released the transcript of the 9-1-1 call that led to the arrest of D-F-L Sen. Nicole Mitchell of Woodbury. A call was placed at 4:45 A-M Monday, reporting a burglary in progress. The caller, identified this week as Mitchell’s stepmother, told the dispatcher that “someone has broken into my house…and they just ran down into my basement.” During the call, Mitchell’s stepmother says she “tripped over” the intruder, first believed to be a man, because they were “on the floor next to my bed.” Mitchell was arrested Monday and charged with first-degree burglary Tuesday. On Wednesday, Senate Republicans filed a formal ethics complaint against Mitchell.
>>MN AG Ellison Urges UnitedHealth Group Help Patients, Providers Harmed by Change Healthcare Cyberattack
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has joined 22 attorneys-general in a letter to UnitedHealth Group, Inc., urging the health insurer to help patients, providers, and pharmacies who were affected by the February cyberattack on Change Healthcare. On February 1st, Change Healthcare, which runs the nation’s biggest electronic data clearinghouse, suffered a cyberattack that disrupted healthcare infrastructure, ability to verify coverage or obtain prior authorization, and ability to process claims or obtain reimbursements. Patients reported delayed or denied access to prescription drugs and difficulty scheduling appointments or procedures.
>>Gov. Walz Announces Grants to 35 School Districts to Support Traffic Safety
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz announced today (THURS) $1.4 million in MNDOT grants to 35 school districts across the state to improve traffic safety. Through the Safe Routes to School, an international program aimed at improving safety and reducing traffic congestion around schools, Walz says kids will have a safer and easier time walking, rolling, and biking to school with the added benefit of increasing physical activity and student health. The funding will go to programs and projects over the next year. An additional $9.5 million will cover the cost of school district coordinator funding for qualifying districts for 2025 through ’27.
>>Teen Arrested in Connection with Burglary of Elderly Woman in Rochester
(Rochester, MN) — A teenager is in custody in connection with a robbery at the home of a 70-year-old Rochester woman. Officers responded to report of a burglary around 12:25 this morning (THURS) and quickly arrested the suspect, an 18-year-old man from Rochester, near the victim’s home. The victim told police she saw a man in her house taking money from her purse and screamed for help as the thief fled. The amount of money stolen or whether it was returned is unknown.
>>State officials reinstates “Class-3” status to Otter Tail County Jail
(Fergus Falls, MN) — The Minnesota Department of Corrections has reinstated “Class-3” status to the Otter Tail County Jail in Fergus Falls, which allows the facility to keep inmates longer than 72-hours. The department lowered the jail’s classification late last month after a prisoner was deprived of food and water for more than two days for smearing feces in his cell. The order forced Otter Tail County to transfer inmates to other jails, including the Clay County Jail in Moorhead.
>>Sen. Smith Celebrates Grand Reopening of Minneapolis American Indian Center
(Minneapolis, MN) — Senator Tina Smith is among those celebrating today’s (Thurs 5pm) grand re-opening of the American Indian Center (MAIC) in Minneapolis. Founded in 1975, MAIC is one of the first urban American Indian Centers in the nation, providing services for over 35,000 Native Americans in the Twin Cities metro. Federal funds have allowed the facility to double in size after renovations, adding a dedicated youth and elder area, an art studio for Native artists, and community services.
>>6 MN Brewing Companies Win Awards in World Beer Cup
(Undated) — Six Minnesota brewing companies took home awards from this year’s World Beer Cup. Bent Paddle Brewing in Duluth took first with the Little Dussel Do-Ya in the German-Style Altbier category. Northbound Smokehouse & Brewpub in Minneapolis won first place with the Doppelbock, and BeerClub Brewing in Minneapolis took third with Doppel Bock for German-Style Doppelbock or Eisbock. Lupulin Brewing in Big Lake took second with the Dortmunder in the Dortmunder or German-Style Oktoberfest category. In fruit beer, Excelsior Brewing Co. took second with Big Island Citrus Blonde Ale. And Pyres Brewing Co. placed third with Idyll Forest – Soiree in the Mixed-Culture Brett Beer classification.
