>>Minnesota Officials Warn Against Alfalfa Sprouts Linked to E. Coli, Salmonella Outbreak
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota health officials are warning consumers not to eat alfalfa sprouts sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands. The sprouts have been linked to a multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli and Salmonella. Twenty-three Minnesotans became sick between July 8th and August 8th, with two people hospitalized and no deaths reported. Officials say the sprouts were produced by Minnesota-based Everything Sprouts and sold at restaurants and grocery stores. Consumers should throw away affected sprouts.
>>Minnesota Job Growth Outpaces National
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota continues to outpace the nation in job growth. New state data show Minnesota added more than 44,000 jobs over the past year, an increase of 1.5 percent compared with just 0.2 percent nationally. The state’s unemployment rate dipped slightly to 4.3 percent in July. However, Minnesota lost 1,900 jobs during the month, and the labor force participation rate also edged lower to 66.9 percent.
>>Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Claims Hit Record Low Rate
(St. Paul, MN) — Workers’ compensation claims in Minnesota continue a long-term decline. A new Department of Labor and Industry report shows the number of paid claims per full-time-equivalent worker fell 42 percent between 2004 and 2024, reaching its lowest rate on record. The state’s workers’ compensation system cost an estimated $1.7 billion in 2024, or 83 cents for every $100 of payroll. Medical and indemnity benefit costs relative to payroll have also fallen substantially over the past two decades.
>>Northeastern Minnesota Wildfire Update
(Ely, MN) — Firefighters working the July Lightning Incident in northeastern Minnesota are getting some help from wet weather today. Showers and possible thunderstorms are expected to bring higher humidity, with some areas receiving close to an inch of rain. Officials say the Jeanette Lake Boat Ramp remains closed. Drivers should also expect significant delays on the Echo Trail as crews continue work on a shaded fuel break, with waits of an hour or more possible. Officials say smoke reports will no longer be issued unless conditions change.
>>Fatal Crash Near Princeton
(Princeton, MN) — The Minnesota State Patrol says alcohol may have been a factor in a head-on crash near Princeton that killed one person and injured three others Wednesday afternoon. Troopers say 52-year-old Jason Ziebarth of St. Cloud crossed the center line and struck a vehicle. A passenger in that vehicle, 77-year-old Linda Rouse of Audubon, died. Ziebarth suffered life-threatening injuries, while driver Arden Rouse and passenger Janet Huntley suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
>>Prior Lake Daycare Worker Accused of Abusing Six Children
(Prior Lake, MN) — A former Prior Lake daycare worker is accused of physically abusing six children in her care. Thirty-six-year-old Rachel Lowe of New Prague is charged with six counts of malicious punishment of a child. Prosecutors say surveillance video from New Creations Child Care and Learning showed Lowe hitting and slapping children, pulling their hair, and grabbing their arms during separate incidents in July. The daycare fired Lowe after the allegations were reported to authorities.
>>Sacred Heart Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Molesting Children
(Renville, MN) – A Sacred Heart man pleaded guilty to sexually molesting four children in a Renville daycare. 63-year-old Darrell Hanson pleaded guilty in Renville County District Court to 1st Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct and 3 counts of Attempted 1st Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct. He will be sentenced on October 19th. The incidents with multiple victims occurred between January 2023 and August 2025. Hanson maintains his innocence, but entered into what is called an Alford Plea, in which he does not admit guilt, but admits there is enough evidence to convict him if he went to trial. The Alford Plea will have no impact on his sentence. In exchange for the guilty plea, six other charges will be dismissed.
>>Minnesota Wild Single-game Tickets on Sale Friday
(St. Paul, MN) – It’s time to start thinking about hockey. The Minnesota Wild single-game tickets for the upcoming preseason and regular season will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday. The Wild also announced ticket packs for theme nights will also go on sale. Theme nights include Hockey Fights Cancer, Military Appreciation and Native American Heritage Night. The home opener is October 3rd against the Boston Bruins.
