>>Governor Walz Says Special Session May Be Needed for Wildfires Relief
(Ely, MN) – Wildfire officials announced this morning that thanks to much needed rain, they are making more progress in the fight against the fires in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and northern Minnesota. But they caution that the fires are still only 53 percent contained. Governor Walz is in Ely to meet with first responders and local and state officials. The governor said during a news conference that he is already looking at the possibility of extending the peacetime emergency and could call a special session for as early as August 12. Walz said if he calls lawmakers back, he would like the special session to be called only for the issue of economic recovery from the wildfires.
>>New updates on wildfires in northern Minnesota
(Undated) – Fire officials have downgraded many evacuation orders tied to the July Lightning Incident in northeastern Minnesota as containment improves on several major wildfires. The complex has burned more than 64,000 acres in the U.S., with another 8,400 acres in Canada. More than 1,000 firefighters are assigned to the incident. While many areas in Lake, St. Louis and Cook counties have moved to lower alert levels, some evacuations remain in place, and portions of the Echo Trail remain closed during the day. Fire restrictions also continue across the Superior National Forest.
>>Simulated Test Scheduled for Prairie Island Nuclear Plant
(St. Paul, MN) – The Minnesota Department of Public Safety wants residents to know that simulated emergency testing will happen today through Wednesday at the Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant. They say the exercise will test the capabilities of federal, state and local agencies in case there would be an emergency at the plant. DPS says residents should not be alarmed by emergency responders carrying out their duties during the simulation. Officials from Homeland Security will be evaluating the emergency response.
>>Congresswoman Craig Introduces Immigration Protection Bill
(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Representative Angie Craig has helped introduce legislation to protect Temporary Protected Statuses (TPS) which opposes President Trump’s actions on the nation’s immigrants. Craig said “The Temporary Protected Status Review Act” would require the Department of Homeland Security to follow a clear, evidence-based process before terminating TPS and allow Congress to reverse these terminations under the Congressional Review Act. This comes following last month’s Supreme Court decision which ruled that the Administration’s termination of TPS for Haitians and Syrians cannot be reviewed by the courts.
>>Fergus Falls Man Arrested for Soliciting Minor
(Fergus Falls, MN) – A Fergus Falls man was arrested for soliciting a minor after an online concerned citizen group posed as a 14-year-old girl. Police say an adult representative of the group reached out at around 9:30 a.m. Friday, July 24, to inform officers that 41-year-old Braxton Anderson had sent sexually explicit messages with them under the impression that they were a 14-year-old girl. They also said Anderson planned to meet with the fake teen north of Fergus Falls. The representative confronted Anderson at his home and subsequently called police. A search warrant was conducted at Anderson’s residence to locate and seize the devices used for communicating to the reported 14-year-old. While searching for the devices, police discovered about 7.54 grams of methamphetamine. Anderson made his first court appearance Monday morning and has been charged with three related counts of electronic solicitation of a minor and 3rd degree drug possession in a park zone.
>>Oakdale Textile Company Fined for Hazardous Waste Violations
(Oakdale, MN) – An Oakdale textile manufacturer has been fined more than $22,000 for hazardous waste violations. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says an inspection at Higher Dimension Materials found a buildup of ignitable hazardous waste in multiple areas of the facility, creating potential fire and environmental risks. Inspectors also cited problems with waste labeling, employee training documentation, and the lack of a required industrial stormwater permit. The company has since cleaned affected areas, corrected labeling issues, and said it will apply for the necessary permit.
>>MDA Opens New Round of Soil Health Grants
(Undated) – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture will begin accepting applications August 3rd for a new round of Soil Health Financial Assistance grants. $5 million is available statewide to help farmers, Tribes, producer groups and local governments purchase or retrofit equipment that supports soil-building practices. Grants provide up to a 50% cost share, with awards ranging from $500 to $45,000. Eligible equipment includes no-till drills, air seeders and strip-tillage units. Applications are due August 31st, and award recipients will be announced by January of 2027.
