>>Albert Lea Man Killed in Snowy Crash Near Windom
(Albert Lea, MN) — An Albert Lea man is dead after an icy crash Tuesday near Windom. State Patrol responded to the crash around 6:30 p.m. on Highway 71. 28-year-old Hunter Schwartz was heading south when his vehicle and another northbound car collided. Schwartz died in the crash. In the other car, a woman, 42, and two teen boys, 13 and 14, all of Odin, received non-life-threatening injuries. Schwartz was not wearing a seatbelt. The roads were snowy and icy.
>>WI Man in U.S. Custody After Faking Death, Fleeing to Europe
(Green Lake, WI) — The Wisconsin man who faked his drowning and fled to Europe, leaving behind his wife and three children clueless, is back on U.S. soil and in custody. 45-year-old Ryan Borgwardt was reported missing on August 12th after not coming back from kayaking on Green Lake. The investigation suggested Ryan faked his death. In November, Ryan started communicating with Wisconsin officials, saying he was alive and had left for “personal reasons.” As of Tuesday, Ryan is under the authority of the Green County Sheriff’s Department, facing several criminal charges. Officials say the month-long search for Ryan cost around $35,000 in resources.
>>Man Accused of Fatal September Park Tavern Crash Pleads Not Guilty
(St. Louis Park, MN) — The man who crashed his car into the Park Tavern patio while drunk in September, killing two people, pleads not guilty to all charges. 56-year-old Steven Bailey is charged with two counts each of third-degree murder and criminal vehicular homicide and nine counts of criminal vehicular operation. The late-night crash killed Park Tavern employee Kristina Folkerts and Methodist Hospital employee Gabe Harvey. 9 people were injured. Bailey blew a preliminary BAC of 0.325, four times the legal limit. Bailey also has multiple prior DWIs. His trial is set for May 12th.
>>8 People Displaced in Minneapolis Homeless Encampment Fire
(Minneapolis, MN) — 8 people are displaced after a fire destroyed a Minneapolis homeless encampment Tuesday. Fire crews responded around 10:25 p.m., seeing several tents on fire, propane tank explosions, and a nearby home catch fire. A second building close by was slightly melted but did not catch fire. No one was injured.
>>One Week Left Until Key Deadline for 2025 Health Insurance Plans
(St. Paul, MN) — The deadline is quickly approaching for Minnesotans who need health insurance for next year. If you’re using the state’s insurance marketplace MNsure, you must enroll by next Wednesday, December 18th. This is for coverage beginning January 1st. If you enroll between December 19th and January 15th, your coverage will begin on February 1st. MNsure has set up a contact center with extended hours if you need any help or have questions. You can find it on the health insurer’s website.
>> Gophers 2025 Football Schedule Includes Game at Historic Wrigley Field
(Minneapolis) – The Big 10 has released the football schedule for 2025, and the Gophers will travel to historic Wrigley Field in Chicago. They’ll face Northwestern in the baseball stadium on November 22. The Gophers have seven home games in 2025, starting with Buffalo on August 28 and concluding with the battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe on November 29th against Wisconsin. The Gophers have five road games, including at Ohio State and Oregon.
>> MegaMillions Drawing Climbs to $670 Million
(Undated) – This might make holiday shopping a little easier. No winner in last night’s Mega Millions lottery drawing means the jackpot has climbed to $670 million for Friday night’s drawing. A winning ticket with the cash option would be worth around $317 million. Here in Minnesota, the Gopher 5 game is also climbing and is currently worth $735,000. The next drawing for that prize is tonight.
