>>Minnesotan Regan Smith takes silver medal in 200 butterfly at Paris Olympics
(Paris, France) — Lakeville swimmer Regan Smith has won her fifth Olympic medal — and her third silver — placing second today (Thurs) in the 200 butterfly in Paris behind Canadian Summer McIntosh. Smith brought in an American record time of 2 minutes, 3.84 seconds — less than a second behind rival McIntosh’s Olympic record of 2:03:03. Smith won a silver in the 200 butterfly at the Toyko Olympics three years ago. Her win today comes two days after taking a silver medal in the 100-meter backstroke.
>>Team USA women’s basketball tops Belgium at Paris Summer Olympics
(Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France) — The U-S women’s basketball team, whose head coach is Cheryl Reeve of the Minnesota Lynx, topped Belgium 87-74 this afternoon (Thurs) at the Paris Summer Olympics. Breanna Stewart led Team U-S-A with 26 points and Lynx forward Napheesa Collier added seven and seven rebounds. The U-S will play Germany on Sunday morning.
>>Walz, on Harris’s short list for V-P, not commenting on vetting process
(Bloomington, MN) — Governor Tim Walz today (Thurs) would not comment on specifics of the vetting process, even as he’s reportedly on Vice President Kamala Harris’s short list for a running mate. Walz did say, whoever the choice is, “I want to see that person, first and foremost, …compatible with whatever the vice president wants — whatever she wants is it, in this moment. And just to be candid, to put a ticket together that wins in November and continues to implement the policies that we’ve seen out of this administration.” Walz was in Bloomington spotlighting a new Minnesota law that took effect today, making it a felony to “straw purchase” a firearm for someone who is not allowed to possess it because of a criminal conviction or other reason.
>>Sen. Klobuchar, Smith Bill to Designate Bald Eagle as National Bird Passes Senate
(Washington, D.C.) — Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith say their bipartisan bill to designate the bald eagle as the national bird has passed the U.S. Senate. The bald eagle has been depicted as the national symbol of the U.S. since June 20th, 1782, when America’s Founding Fathers approved the Great Seal of the U.S. at the Second Continental Congress. Klobuchar says the bald eagle is a “symbol of our country’s freedom and strength,” Smith adding that they “thrive in Minnesota because of our lakes and forestry.” Republican Brad Finstad and Democrat Angie Craig of Minnesota are lead authors of a companion bill in the U-S House.
>>State officials urging animal vaccinations due to uptick in rabies cases in far southwest, central MN
(St. Paul, MN) — State officials are urging Minnesotans to be sure their pets, horses and cattle are vaccinated against rabies due to an uptick of cases in Murray, Nobles, Pipestone and Rock counties in far southwest Minnesota and in central Minnesota’s Stearns County. State Health Department senior epidemiologist Carrie Klumb says Minnesota typically sees three to five rabies cases the entire year in skunks, one of the main reservoirs of the disease, but this year it’s 12 so far. Klumb says, “It’s not typical to see farmers vaccinating their cattle if it’s a big herd but, if farmers were considering it, now would be a good year to vaccinate cattle, given that we’re seeing this increase.” Officials say so far this year 24 people have needed rabies shots because of either exposure or suspected contact with a rabid animal through a bite or the animal’s saliva. Rabies is nearly 100-percent fatal in humans if not caught early and treated. If you or someone you know might have been exposed — particularly through possible contact with a bat — notify your health care provider immediately or call the state Health Department at 651-201-5414.
>>WE Fest opening today at Soo Pass Ranch near Detroit Lakes
(Detroit Lakes, MN) — The WE Fest country musical festival is getting underway today (Thursday) near Detroit Lakes. Headliner Jelly Roll plays the late show tonight at the Soo Pass Ranch. There was heavy rain in the area Wednesday night for the kick-off party, but the forecast looks clear today and tomorrow. The day one lineup includes the Bellamy Brothers, Warren Zeiders and Koe Wetzel. WE Fest started in August 1983 and draws some of the biggest performers in country music to northwest Minnesota.
>>Minneapolis Man Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison After Pleading Guilty to 1st-Degree Assault
(Minneapolis, MN) — A Minneapolis man has been sentenced to 13 years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree assault in a late-2022 case. The victim told Brooklyn Center officers a man walked into his home, poured gasoline on him, and lit him on fire. The suspect, 61-year-old Charles Hall, was seen on surveillance video driving to a gas station and filling a cup with gas after an argument with the victim, before returning to set him on fire.
>Brainerd Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Fentanyl
(Minneapolis, MN) — A Brainerd man will plead guilty to possessing and intending to distribute 2.8 lbs of fentanyl pills. On August 1st, 2023, law enforcement searched a Brainerd storage unit that belonged to 28-year-old Dazaughn West and seized between 13- and 15-thousand pressed fentanyl pills. An additional search of West’s home turned up another 150 grams of fentanyl pills, a loaded semi-automatic pistol, a .22 caliber rifle, and distributable amounts of cocaine. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled later.
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