>>Trump Pauses New Canada Tariffs as Trade Talks Continue
(Washington, D.C.) — President Donald Trump has temporarily paused a new round of 50% tariffs on Canadian goods as the two countries work to finalize a trade agreement. The three-day delay is significant for Minnesota, where Canada remains the state’s largest trading partner and top export market. Minnesota sells billions of dollars in goods to Canada each year. Trump says the two countries have the framework of a deal, while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says important work remains.
>>New Poll Shows Tight Attorney General Race, DFL Leads for Governor and Senate
(Undated) — A new KSTP/SurveyUSA poll shows a tight race for Minnesota attorney general with 11 weeks until the November election. Democratic incumbent Keith Ellison and Republican challenger Ron Schutz are tied at 43 percent. Schutz leads in Greater Minnesota, while Ellison has stronger support in the Twin Cities. In the governor’s race, DFL U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar leads Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth 51 to 36 percent. And Democrat Peggy Flanagan holds a five-point advantage over Republican Michele Tafoya in the U.S. Senate race. Election Day is November 3.
>>Northeastern Minnesota Wildfire Update
(Ely, MN) — Fire crews continue to make progress on several large wildfires burning in the Superior National Forest. The July Lightning Incident has burned more than 75-thousand acres in the U.S. and Canada, with 619 personnel assigned. The Camp Fire near Winton is now 97 percent contained, while the Sioux Fire is 53 percent contained. The large Bear Trap Fire is 51 percent contained and the Thumb Fire is 46 percent contained. Officials say recent rainfall has significantly reduced fire activity and should limit additional spread today.
>>Superior National Forest Reopening Two More BWCAW Entry Points
(Duluth, MN) — The Superior National Forest is reopening two more Boundary Waters entry points that were closed because of wildfire activity. Entry Point Nine at Little Indian Sioux River South and Entry Point 77 at South Hegman Lake will reopen Tuesday, August 25th. More than 1,600 campsites are now open across the Boundary Waters. Several other entry points remain closed through August 31st or the end of the permit season. The Forest Service says the northern portion of the Echo Trail remains closed to public use, and reopening plans could change if wildfire activity increases.
>>Derek Chauvin Appeals Denial of Bid for New Trial
(Minneapolis, MN) — Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is again trying to overturn his state murder conviction in the death of George Floyd. Chauvin is appealing to a judge’s May decision rejecting his petition for post-conviction relief. His attorneys raised several claims, including challenges to jury instructions and evidence used at his 2021 trial. The judge found none justified a new trial. Chauvin’s original appeal was rejected in 2023. He remains in federal prison while serving concurrent state and federal sentences.
>>Fargo Man Identified as Red River Drowning Victim
(Moorhead, MN) — Moorhead police have identified the man whose body was recovered from the Red River as 27-year-old Luis Ramos of Fargo. Ramos was reported missing after entering the river near River Oaks Point and struggling in the water. His body was later recovered near the area where he was last seen. Police say no injuries or other evidence of suspicious circumstances were found, and the death is being investigated as a drowning.
>>Man Accused of Killing Mother Found Not Guilty by Reason of Mental Illness
(Elk River, MN) – A man accused of killing his mother in a brutal 2020 attack in their Big Lake home has been found not guilty by reason of mental illness. A Sherburne County judge has ruled that 26-year-old Eric Jordahl was laboring under such a defect of reason that he didn’t know the nature of his acts or the wrongfulness of his behavior. He was previously found guilty of first-degree premeditated murder and two counts of second-degree murder in the killing of Rosalie Johnson.
>>Minnesota Raising Minimum Wage
(St. Paul, MN) – The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry has announced the state will be raising the minimum wage at the start of the new year based on inflation. Minnesota’s minimum wage will increase to $11.87 an hour for all employers in the state. The 90-day training wage for workers under the age of 20 will increase to $9.68. These rates reflect an increase of 3.99 percent. The cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have their own minimum wage ordinances that require a higher hourly rate.
