>>Wildfire Response Bill Introduced in Congress
(Washington, D.C.) – Minnesota House Agriculture Ranking Member Angie Craig along with several other members of Congress introduced the Wildfire Response and Readiness Act today. The comprehensive package of wildfire policies comes as Americans are facing increasing wildfires around the country. So far, wildfires have burned more than 4.5 million acres across the United States. In northeastern Minnesota, the wildfires in and around the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness have burned more than 68,000 acres in the last two months. The bill invests in wildfire prevention and post-fire restoration, residents’ ability to make their homes more resistant to fires, and better benefits for firefighters.
>>Dozens of Businesses Seeking Wildfire Economic Relief
Ely, MN) – Dozens of northeast Minnesota businesses have sent a letter to Governor Tim Walz and members of the Minnesota state legislature requesting help from the wildfires in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The letter calls on state leaders to provide urgently needed economic relief for 82 businesses and nonprofits facing significant losses caused by the wildfires. On Wednesday, Governor Walz said a special session on the wildfires was unlikely at this point. Lawmakers won’t be back for the new legislative session until January.
>>Ag Economist Says Fertilizer Prices Could Get Worse
(Redwood County, MN) – Bad news for Minnesota farmers. After seeing an increase in fertilizer prices, things could get worse. North Dakota State Agriculture Economist, Dr. Frayne Olson says he is not optimistic about fertilizer prices as this point. Olson said, “I think if we can hold fertilizer prices where they are right now that will be best case scenario. There’s a risk by spring we’re going to see higher fertilizer prices again.” A recent Farm Bureau study showed that 70% of farmers said they cannot afford all the fertilizer they need for their crops. Olson made his comments during a forum at FarmFest in Redwood County.
>>Drug Arrest in Duluth
(Duluth, MN) – The Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Forced announced the arrest of a man following a large drug bust. Law enforcement executed a search warrant and found 35-year-old Deandre Barnes and a number of drugs. During the search, officers found 39 grams of fentanyl along with drug-making equipment and more than $1700 in proceeds from drug sales. Officers say Barnes was on pre-trial release from a February arrest for First-Degree Sale of Fentanyl. He also has prior convictions for home invasion with a firearm and armed robbery. He is being held in the St. Louis County jail pending new charges.
>>St. Louis County Warns of Fake Tax Relief Program
(Duluth, MN) – A series of AI-generated videos claiming false information about a “Senior Homeowner Tax Review Request” has prompted numerous St. Louis County residents to contact the County Auditor’s Office and Assessor’s. Department. These videos contain numerous false claims about a supposed change in federal law. The programs and forms described do not exist. St. Louis County provides information on its website about property tax refunds and other programs that may help reduce a person’s property taxes. These are all programs offered by the State of Minnesota and are available in all counties in Minnesota.
>>Minnesota Office of Higher Education Awards Grants for Parent Students
(St. Paul, MN) – In an effort to ensure parents enrolled in college have the support necessary to complete their degree, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education has awarded $2.8 million in Student Parent Support Initiative Grants. The grants will help 24 Minnesota colleges and community organizations develop and implement services that support student parents. Grantees may receive up to $125,000 a year and can be used to fund services like starting on-campus childcare, health and wellness programs, and financial assistance to these students.
