>>Record-breaking high water in parts of south-central, SW Minnesota

(Mankato, MN) — MN-DOT officials say high-water in south-central and southwest Minnesota has reached record-breaking levels in some areas. Assistant District Maintenance Engineer Scott Morgan says the water level in Mankato is ” a little bit larger than 140-year event and the flow elevations that you see at Henderson correspond to a 225-year event or larger.” Morgan says in addition to other closures, there’s sustained water from the Minnesota River over Highway 19 east of Henderson, Highway 93 west of Le Sueur and Highway 22 east of Saint Peter. He says emergency repairs were needed on the only remaining open road to Henderson… and there’s road flooding on Highway 71 in Jackson and Highways 62 and 60 in Windom… plus shoulder damage on at least eight roads across the district. For the latest information, visit 511mn.org.

>>State Disaster Contingency Fund has potential $76M to repair flood damage to public infrastructure

(Winona, MN) — Seventy-six million dollars is potentially available from state coffers to address damage to public infrastructure from flooding, after the legislature acted earlier this year to automatically send 50 million dollars to the Disaster Contingency Account if it’s fully depleted. Winona Democrat Gene Pelowski spearheaded the legislation through the Minnesota House and says about the special disaster fund, “The reports look like now, that that should handle any of the reports that are coming, and if something [else] needs to happen, hopefully we’ll then be in session.” Pelowski is talking about the next *regular* session which begins mid-January 2025. He says, “There will not be a special session. The 76 million [dollars] will be enough.”

>>Top analyst: U-S Supreme Court ruling means Trump election-interference trial unlikely before Nov election

(St. Paul, MN) — Top analysts say the U-S Supreme Court granting former presidents broad immunity from prosecution means it’s highly unlikely Donald Trump will go on trial before the November election on charges that he plotted to overturn his loss in 2020. Carleton College analyst Schier says, before this Supreme Court ruling, any final decision in the case against Trump would probably have come right at Election Day or after. But Schier says, “Now you add these complications and it makes it very difficult for any case to proceed before Election Day.” Schier says the high court ruled former presidents are immune from prosecution for what were clearly official acts, but there are legal “gray areas.” However, “unofficial” acts are *not* exempt from prosecution.

>>Joe Mauer Being Inducted in National High School Hall of Fame

(Boston, MA) — Minnesota baseball legend Joe Mauer is being inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame this evening (Mon 5pm) in Boston. Mauer played baseball, football, and basketball at Cretin Derham Hall in St. Paul. He was named U-S-A Today National Player of the Year in both football and baseball and two-time all-state in basketball. Mauer made a verbal commitment to play quarterback at Florida State but was tapped by the Minnesota Twins in 2001 and spent 15 years with his hometown team. Forty-one-year-old Mauer will be inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in three weeks.

>>First day for new U of M President Doctor Rebecca Cunningham

(Minneapolis, MN) — This is the first day (Mon) on the job for new University of Minnesota President Rebecca Cunningham. U-of-M officials say Cunningham has been working closely with interim President Jeff Ettinger and key contacts throughout the U of M’s five-campus system to ensure a seamless transition. She was vice president for research and innovation at the University of Michigan before coming to Minnesota. Cunningham’s formal inauguration will be September 18th in the Northrup Auditorium and outdoor Mall.

>>MN BCA Investigates Fatal Crookston Police Shooting

(Crookston, MN) — The Minnesota BCA is investigating after a Crookston police officer fatally shot a man Sunday at a homeless shelter. Officers responding to a fight at the Care and Share shelter found a combative man who wouldn’t follow commands. Less-than-lethal force was deployed, and then an officer fired their handgun. Life-saving aid was given, but the man succumbed to his injuries. No other information is being released at this time.

>>MN Celebrity Chef Sutherland Charged with Felony Threats of Violence

(St. Paul, MN) — Twin Cities celebrity chef Justin Sutherland made his first court appearance today (Mon) on felony charges for alleged threats of violence. St. Paul police responded around 8 p.m. Friday to reports of an armed person entering a building with a woman who “appeared to be in distress.” Authorities say Sutherland was arrested and shouted “racially derogatory remarks” at an officer. The victim told police she and Sutherland had gotten into an argument when he allegedly started strangling her, saying he could kill her. Police had responded to the same address an hour and a half earlier on a 9-1-1 call. The victim reported that her boyfriend had choked her and was trying to evict her from the apartment, though no arrests were made. Authorities on a search warrant recovered ammunition, the victim’s broken phone and 10 firearms.

>>Rochester Man Faces Multiple Charges After Shooting Airsoft Rifle on Rochester School Grounds

(Rochester, MN) — A Rochester man faces several charges after allegedly shooting an airsoft rifle at targets on local school grounds. Police say just before midnight Sunday, 20-year-old Jakob Barrows was spotted at Rochester Arts and Sciences Academy (RASA) wearing a mask, a vest with magazine pouches, and a rifle described as an AK-47. Barrow told officers he lived nearby and was “practicing his tactical moves” by shooting at a plastic Target bag placed on a chair in the school’s parking lot.

>>Dedication Ceremony for new Minnesota Veterans Home in Bemidji
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(Bemidji, MN) — Governor Tim Walz was on hand for this afternoon’s (Mon) dedication of the new Minnesota state veterans home in Bemidji. The first veterans moved into the Northwoods-themed, 72-bed skilled nursing facility in February. New state veterans homes also opened this year in Preston and Montevideo.

>>Fargo Woman Given 5-Year Suspended Sentence for Felony Theft of $80K from Employer

(Fargo, N.D.) — A Fargo woman has received a five-year suspended sentence for felony theft after pleading guilty to stealing over $80,000 from her employer. Court documents say Kelly Tweiten transferred money into her banking account from Dietrich Homes while she was financial manager. Prosecutors say Tweiten wrote herself five checks totaling over $15,000, made purchases on her company credit card, and used business accounts to pay the charges before the owner saw them. A separate restitution hearing will be scheduled later.

>>Minnesota Timberwolves signing center Luka Garza to 2-year extension

(Minneapolis, MN) — Timberwolves back-up center Luka Garza is reportedly signing a two-year deal to remain in Minnesota. Garza doesn’t get a lot of playing time behind N-B-A Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, All-Star Karl Anthony-Towns, and fan favorite Naz Reid, but he’s a skilled offensive player. Garza averaged four points over 25 games last season. He will make the veteran minimum of just over two million dollars under the new contract.

 

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