>>National Weather Service confirms tornadoes in Anoka and Isanti counties
(Chanhassen, MN) — The National Weather Service is confirming at least two tornadoes late Thursday afternoon just north of the Twin Cities. Survey teams say a tornado touched down north of Andover in Anoka County around 4:25 pm and left quite a bit of damage. They say an E-F-1 tornado hit near Isanti in Isanti County around 4:45. Officials say they are still working to determine the path of the twister. Both areas had lots of trees down and other thunderstorm wind damage.
>>Very busy Labor Day travel weekend under way
(Undated) — The final holiday of summer is upon us and tens of thousands of Minnesotans either already are, or will be, on the road for the Labor Day weekend. Triple-A-Minnesota spokesman Brian Ortner says the record-breaking summer travel season is wrapping up with what’s expected to be another exceptionally busy holiday for get-away vacations — up nine percent over last year — and Ortner says the good news is that the cost of domestic travel is down two percent. Gas prices are down this Labor Day weekend compared to last year. The average price for a gallon of unleaded today is $3.17.
>>Minneapolis officials warn of missing pet scam
(Minneapolis, MN) — Minneapolis Animal Care & Control is warning residents of the latest scam targeting people who are searching for a lost pet. City spokesperson Jess Olstead says scammers, posing as animal control officers, scour lost pet posters, posts and websites, find the owner, then text or call. She says the false message is, “I have your pet, but your dog or cat is hurt and needs emergency surgery, and in order to do that you need to pay this money right away.” She says many times scammers are saying, “Your pet will die.” Olstead says Minneapolis Animal Care and Control will never send links or ask for money over the phone in a lost pet situation. They’ve received 30 reports of the scam so far and say there are likely dozens more.
>>MN BCA Seeks Missing Homeless Man with Multiple Warrants
(St. Cloud, MN) — The Minnesota BCA (Bureau of Criminal Apprehension) is asking for the public’s help finding a missing homeless man in the St. Cloud area. 28-year-old Ma In Abdullahi Muse has not been in contact with family since around May 20th. He is known to have substance abuse issues and has multiple active arrest warrants in Stearns County. Muse’s family has indirect information he may be staying in Minneapolis. Muse is Black, 5-9, 160 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
>>MN BCA Search for Missing St. Cloud Teen
(St. Cloud, MN) — The Minnesota BCA (Bureau of Criminal Apprehension) is asking for the public’s help finding a missing St. Cloud girl. 16-year-old Vylette Yang was initially reported as a runaway from a St. Cloud placement home on February 26th. She is believed to be with her brother Nicholas or her mother, Ong Xiong in Blaine, whose parental rights were terminated. Yang is Asian-American, 4 feet 10, 123 pounds, with black hair and dark brown eyes.
>>Ransomware attacks against hospitals up
(Minneapolis, MN) — Ransomware attacks against hospitals have more than doubled in the past five years, and a new U-of-M study finds more significant operational disruption in rural health care. Lead author Hannah Neprash says smaller, more financially vulnerable hospitals in rural areas need to prepare for a cyberattack. She says, “That takes a lot of planning, both within the organization and also regionally to make sure that everyone knows where patients should go if certain hospitals are taken out of commission.” Neprash says volume and revenue for hospital inpatient, outpatient and emergency room visits decreased during the first week of a ransomware attack.
>>MN Aurora opens second round of community ownership shares
(Undated) — The nation’s largest community-owned women’s soccer team has opened its second round of community ownership shares this week for those who want a slice of Minnesota Aurora FC. Shares are $50 a piece with a $100 minimum investment. Co-founder Andrea Yoch says because there’s no cap, this round of shares will be open for a few months, so if people need a little bit of time to save some money, make a decision, and talk to family members, they do have the time. Yoch says money from the newest round will fund Aurora’s year-round team operations, such as player housing, camp scholarships, U.S. soccer registration fees, and more. (mnaurora.com)
