>>Containment Grows as Crews Continue Battle Against Northern Minnesota Wildfires
(Undated) – Firefighters are making progress on several northern Minnesota wildfires. The July Lightning Incident remains at just over 64-thousand acres, with more than one-thousand personnel assigned. The Little Knife Fire in the Boundary Waters is nearly 50 percent contained at just under five-thousand acres, while the Camp and Sioux fires are now 46 and 42 percent contained, respectively. Officials say cooler, wetter conditions have helped firefighting efforts, but crews remain alert for new starts following more than 300 lightning strikes from weekend storms. Some evacuation orders and road closures remain in effect, while parts of the Boundary Waters are set to partially reopen Thursday.
>>DNR Removing Some Burning Restrictions in Northern Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) – The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is removing Class IV burning restrictions in Cook, Koochiching, Lake and northern St. Louis counties, This also includes George Washington State Forest and Scenic State Park and portions of Itasca County. The DNR says recent rain has reduced, not eliminated, wildfire risk in these parts of northeastern Minnesota. The removal of these restrictions now allows campfires and recreational fires on private land, and at resorts and staffed campgrounds. The DNR will continue to monitor the situation and make changes to burning restrictions when necessary.
>>Federal Education Department Investigates Minnesota Over Classroom Use of “Transgender Dolls”
(Undated) – The U.S. Department of Education has opened an investigation into the Minnesota Department of Education following a parental rights complaint involving so-called “transgender dolls” used in some school settings. The complaint alleges parents were not notified or given the opportunity to opt their children out of activities involving the dolls, which were developed through a University of Minnesota program. Federal officials say they’re reviewing whether the state complied with the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment, a law that gives parents certain rights regarding sensitive educational materials and activities. Minnesota education officials have not yet publicly responded to the investigation.
>>Mahnomen Woman Dies After Vehicle Submerges in Lake
(Mahnomen, MN) – A Mahnomen County woman is dead after her vehicle left the roadway and became submerged in a lake Tuesday morning. Authorities say a 9-1-1 call came in around 7:30 reporting a car had gone off a county road, with the driver trapped inside. Sheriff’s deputies, police officers, firefighters and conservation officers responded and located the fully submerged vehicle. A deputy attached a winch line to the car, which was pulled from the water. The driver, a 36-year-old Mahnomen woman, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her name has not been released, and the crash remains under investigation.
>>Break-ins Reported at Minneapolis Islamic Center
(Minneapolis) – The Minnesota Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR- Minnesota) is reporting two recent break-ins at Al-Hikmah Islamic Center in Minneapolis. Mosque leaders say the center was broken into twice this month. It says the crimes happened while the congregation was preparing its newly acquired property to serve as a permanent mosque and youth and family gathering place. CAIR Minnesota is asking the Minneapolis Police Department to investigate whether the incidents are connected and could be considered hate crimes.
>>Cyclospora Outbreaks Present Unique Challenges for Investigators
(Undated) – Foodborne illness investigators say tracing an outbreak is often a lengthy process involving detailed interviews with patients and extensive supply-chain tracking. U of M professor Dr. Craig Hedberg says the current Cyclospora outbreak is especially difficult to investigate because the parasite can’t be analyzed as easily as bacteria like salmonella. And experts warn that staffing shortages and funding cuts at public health agencies could slow future outbreak detection and response efforts.
>>Minnesota DNR Reviewing Changes to Proposed NorthMet Copper-Nickel Mine
(St. Louis County, MN) – The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is reviewing proposed changes to the NorthMet copper-nickel mining project near Hoyt Lakes. Project owner NewRange Copper Nickel plans to increase ore production, shorten the mine’s lifespan, replace rail transport with a covered conveyor system, and change how mining waste would be stored. The DNR will decide within about a month whether those changes require a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. If additional environmental review is needed, the proposal would be subject to public comment and public meetings before permitting decisions could move forward.
>>MnDOT Construction Warning for Motorcyclists Heading to Sturgis
(St. Paul, MN) – The Minnesota Department of Transportation is letting motorcyclists know about construction work zones ahead of their trip to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota next month. MnDOT says you will encounter construction zones while traveling along Interstate 90 in southern Minnesota. There will be several projects underway. MnDOT says the best way to get the latest information is by logging on the 511mn.org website. The Sturgis Rally takes place August 7th through the 16th.
>>Governor Applauds Minnesota Healthcare Following New Study
(St. Paul, MN) – Governor Tim Walz announced today that a new study shows Minnesota is the second-best state in the country for healthcare. The study was conducted by WalletHub and says Minnesota is home to the highest number of convenient care clinics per capita, and the state has the eighth best public hospital system in the country. The state is also ranked 7th in life expectancy. Walz said, “Minnesota has again demonstrated itself to be nation-leading in healthcare access, quality and outcomes.”
