>>Officials say Grandma’s Marathon currently “on” for this weekend, but weather could change that at last minute
(Duluth, MN) — Officials say as of right now, all events for this weekend’s Grandma’s Marathon are “on” as scheduled, but add that timing of expected rain and possible thunderstorms is very difficult to predict. Spokesman Zach Schneider says they’re looking at “a series of pretty immediate decisions” without much lead time. He says, “The big thing obviously is the Marathon and the Half Marathon on Saturday morning, and it’s likely that we won’t be able to make a decision about what to do on race day until very early on Saturday morning.” Schneider says forecasted rain is not as much of a problem as potential for lightning. He says Grandma’s Marathon has never been cancelled due to weather and only delayed once. Schneider says, “History is on our side. The Lake has a way of protecting us.”
>>Klobuchar, Smith, entire MN U-S House delegation sponsor bill to make bald eagle the National Bird
(Washington, DC) — Many people will be surprised to learn that the bald eagle is *not* the national bird — but Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, along with Republican colleagues from Wyoming and Oklahoma, are sponsoring a bill to give it that official designation. Klobuchar notes Minnesota is home to one of the largest populations of bald eagles in the U-S, and also points to the National Eagle Center in Wabasha. Smith says, “The Bald Eagle has been a universally recognizable symbol of patriotism in this country for centuries.” Republican Brad Finstad and Democrat Angie Craig are lead authors of a companion bill in the U-S House. Finstad says, “Since the founding of our nation, the bald eagle has existed as a symbol of our country’s independence, strength, and freedom.” U-S Representatives Dean Phillips, Betty McCollum, Ilhan Omar, Tom Emmer, Michelle Fischbach and Pete Stauber have also signed onto the bill.
By the way, the story that Benjamin Franklin wanted the national bird to be the turkey is just a myth, according to the Franklin Institute. Franklin did, however, call the bald eagle “a Bird of bad moral Character,” being “too lazy to fish for himself” — while Franklin said the turkey, “though a little vain & silly, [is] a Bird of Courage.”
>>Minnesota Twins fall to Tampa Bay Rays in extra innings for second straight game
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Twins rallied to force extra innings before falling to the Tampa Bay Rays 7-6 this afternoon (Thurs) at Target Field. Jose Miranda hit the game-tying, three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth for Minnesota. Jonny Deluca singled in the go-ahead run for the Rays in the top of the tenth inning. Tampa Bay beat the Twins 3-2 in ten innings last night and has won two of the three games in Minneapolis.
>>Fergus Falls Woman Pleads Guilty to Selling Meth
(Fergus Falls, MN) — A Fergus Falls woman has pleaded guilty to first-degree sale of drugs as part of a plea deal for selling a significant amount of meth. Court documents say 34-year-old Dilfa Munguia was arrested in September 2023 after a four-month-long investigation by Fergus Falls Police. Detectives surveilled Munguia’s house two days before her arrest, counting 25 vehicles coming and going from her home. Police executed a search warrant September 5th, where they found meth, 16 oxycodone pills, miscellaneous drug paraphernalia, pay/owe sheets, and a purse with around $4,000 in cash. Munguia denied selling narcotics, stating she had a prescription for oxycodone for back pain. A sentencing hearing is set for August 12th.
>>OCM Seizes, Destroys 120 lbs of Illegal Cannabis Flower
(Undated) — As of June 14th, 120 pounds of illegal cannabis flower has been seized and destroyed at 91 Minnesota retail locations, according to the Office of Cannabis Management. Cannabis products in Minnesota can have no more than five milligrams of THC per serving and 50 milligrams per package. State regulators say inspectors have pulled over 32,000 edibles from store shelves with excess amounts of THC — an estimated retail value of $811,000. The office warns violators could face up to $1 million in fines. A new law prohibits state regulators from issuing forthcoming business licenses to operators who are selling illegal products.
>>Registration Opens for Minnesota State Fair Amateur Talent Contest
(Falcon Heights, MN) — Registration is now open for the 51st annual Minnesota State Fair Amateur Talent Contest. Auditions will run July 22nd through 28th at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell. Semifinalists will advance to perform during the first ten days of the State Fair and the finalists will play the Grandstand on September 1st. Previous winners have included singers, musicians, dancers, actors and jugglers. The registration deadline is July 24th.
>>”Prolific Carjacking” Teen Suspect Arrested After Carjacking Man at Gunpoint with Infant in Tow
(Minneapolis, MN) — A 17-year-old who Minneapolis police label a “prolific carjacking suspect” is in custody after allegedly driving a stolen car with a gun and an infant inside. Officials responded to a 911 call Wednesday afternoon from someone reporting his car had been stolen at gunpoint and that the suspect put an infant in the back seat before driving away. The teen was arrested near the scene during a traffic stop. MPD submitted the case to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office to consider charges.
>>Twin Cities Man Pleads Guilty to Shipping, Distributing Fentanyl Pills Hidden Inside Stuffed Animals
(St. Paul, MN) — A Twin Cities man has pleaded guilty for his role in shipping and distributing fentanyl hidden inside stuffed animals. Prosecutors say 25-year-old Cornell Chandler and flew to Phoenix to buy fentanyl from suppliers and ship it back to the Twin Cities for distribution, hiding the drugs inside stuffed toys disguised as birthday presents, the insides lined with dog treats to try to prevent drug-sniffing dogs from finding them. Authorities seized six parcels containing over 30 kilograms of fentanyl pills shipped from Phoenix in January and February 2023. Chandler’s sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later time.
>>Annandale Woman Dead in Single-Vehicle Crash
(Annandale, MN) — A woman is dead after a single-vehicle crash early this morning (Thurs) in a cornfield near Annandale. Wright County deputies found a vehicle with heavy crash-related damage and 59-year-old Julie Hahn was pronounced dead at the scene. A preliminary investigation shows the vehicle was heading east on a local road when it struck a sign, a road approach, and may have rolled before coming to rest in a cornfield. Officials say Hahn was not wearing a seatbelt.
>>Stanchfield Man Charged with 8 Felony Tax Crimes
(St. Paul, MN) — A Stanchfield man has been charged with eight felony tax crimes. The Minnesota Department of Revenue says James Huisenga didn’t file income tax returns or pay income tax from 2019 through 2022, despite earning enough money from his business. Huisenga allegedly received multiple letters and notices from the state about the over $24,000 in income tax he allegedly owes. If convicted he faces a maximum of 40 years in prison, $80,000 in fines, or both.
