>>Governor Walz Announces Special Session to Fill Rep. Hortman’s Seat
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz has issued a writ of special election to fill the vacancy following the death of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman. The special election in House District 34B will be held on September 16th. Republican Senator Michael Kreun (krune) from Blaine says it’s “A really tough situation that really all of Minnesota is still going through. But at the same time, the people of that district do need representation, so I’m not going to second-guess that decision.” Senator Kreun says it’s important for the voters of that district to have representation in the fall if lawmakers are called back to re-work the budget due to federal cuts. The next legislative session is scheduled to begin in February.
>>Ex-Minnesota Deputy and Wife Charged with Human Trafficking in Tennessee
James and Kelli Hewitt, formerly of Lancaster, Minnesota, have been arrested in Giles County, Tennessee, on charges of human trafficking for forced labor and multiple counts of animal cruelty. Authorities rescued eight victims, ages five to 29, from their property. The couple allegedly concealed a Haitian victim’s identity and forced them into labor. Investigators also found over 70 neglected animals, including dogs, chickens, and a malnourished turkey. More charges and victims are expected.
>>Air Quality Alert Issued for all of Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) – An air quality alert has been issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for all of Minnesota this weekend. The alert remains in effect until Monday at 9:00 p.m. Heavy ground-level smoke from wildfires in Central Canada moved into northwest Minnesota on Friday morning, following the passage of a cold front. Northern Minnesota is under a purple air quality alert, indicating that the smoke in the air is highly unhealthy to everyone. Officials say most of the smoke should dissipate by Sunday night, but another round is possible from Sunday night into Monday.
>>Talks Break Down in Stillwater Healthcare Workers Strike
(Stillwater, MN) – More frustrations are coming from striking healthcare workers from HealthPartners Stillwater Medical Group. Members are wrapping up their 4-day Unfair Labor Practice strike, and they say morning negotiations did not get them any closer to a new contract. The workers say management did not make any improvements to the proposals from last week. This strike will conclude at 7 a.m. Saturday morning, but striking members vow they could walk out again later this month.
>>Trial Set for Suspect in October 2024 Shooting Death of Duluth Man
(Superior, WI) — A Superior, Wisconsin, man will stand trial next March for the October 2024 shooting death of a man from Duluth. Thirty-one-year-old Aaron Donald Johnson is charged with the first-degree intentional homicide of 41-year-old Derick Walzack. Douglas County investigators said Walzack was in a romantic relationship with Johnson’s ex-girlfriend when he was shot. His body was found in a garage in Superior.
>>University of Minnesota Ends Nutrition Education Program Ahead of Federal SNAP Cuts
(Minneapolis, MN) — The University of Minnesota Extension Service is discontinuing its nutrition outreach program for low-income Minnesotans following federal budget reductions tied to the recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill. As a result of the funding cuts, all 60 full-time instructors with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) have been laid off. The $7.2 million initiative had partnered with over 700 organizations, including clinics, childcare centers, and food banks, to deliver nutrition education across the state. The federal funding reductions are set to take effect on September 30th.
>>Target Mandates Partial Return to Office for Commercial Unit Employees
(Minneapolis, MN) — Target Corporation is requiring employees in its commercial unit to return to the company’s Minneapolis headquarters three days per week starting in early September. Under the new policy, workers will have the flexibility to choose which three days they work on-site, coordinating schedules with their immediate teams. The move is part of a broader effort to reinvigorate in-person collaboration while maintaining some flexibility for remote work. An official from the Minneapolis Downtown Council expressed optimism that the policy could help boost downtown foot traffic, potentially returning to pre-pandemic levels of 200,000 to 215,000 daily workers.
>>Higher Gas Prices for the Weekend
(Golden Valley, MN) – Minnesotans heading to the cabin this weekend will see higher gas prices. The average price for a gallon of unleaded, according to Triple A, is $3.06 across Minnesota. That is six cents higher than last week and almost 15 cents higher than a month ago. The average price in the Twin Cities metro is slightly higher at $3.11 a gallon.
