>>Teen Bicyclist Seriously Injured in Albert Lea Crash
(Albert Lea, MN) — A 14-year-old bicyclist is hospitalized with serious injuries after being struck by a pickup truck Tuesday night in Albert Lea. Police say the teen turned in front of the truck at the intersection and failed to yield the right-of-way. The driver was unable to avoid the collision. The teen suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment. The crash remains under investigation.
>>Blue Line Service Suspended for Seven Weeks During Major Upgrade
(Minneapolis, MN) — Metro Transit’s Blue Line light rail will shut down for seven weeks beginning Monday as crews undertake a major $100 million maintenance project. Bus service will replace trains along the route, and riders should expect longer travel times. The work includes replacing every track switch on the line, installing new rail, and upgrading signal systems. The Blue Line connects downtown Minneapolis, the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, and the Mall of America. Transit officials say the improvements are designed to boost reliability and reduce future service disruptions.
>>Minnesota Awards Nearly $5 Million for Worker Training
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Office of Higher Education is awarding nearly five million dollars to help train workers across the state. The agency announced $4.87 million in Dual Training Grants to 71 businesses and five regional organizations. The funding will support training for 867 employees in high-demand fields including health care, manufacturing, agriculture, information technology, transportation, childcare, and legal cannabis. State officials say the grants help workers gain new skills while earning a paycheck. Businesses can receive up to $150,000 for training-related expenses, including tuition, books, and other educational costs.
>>Review Upholds Convictions Tied to Former Medical Examiner
(St. Paul, MN) — A years-long review of murder cases involving former Ramsey County Medical Examiner Dr. Michael McGee found no reason to overturn six convictions, according to Ramsey County Attorney John Choi. The review was launched after questions were raised about McGee’s testimony in several criminal cases. Independent experts found concerns with some of his courtroom statements but concluded the convictions were supported by other evidence presented at trial. One additional case remains under review because of ongoing legal proceedings. The county spent nearly $400,000 on the investigation.
>>Planned Parenthood Marks Dobbs Anniversary
(St. Paul, MN) — Four years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Planned Parenthood North Central States says a program launched in Minnesota to help abortion patients has now assisted more than 10,000 people. The patient navigator program helps people arrange travel, lodging, childcare, and financial support to reach abortion appointments. Planned Parenthood says Minnesota became a key access point for patients from neighboring states after abortion restrictions took effect across much of the region. The organization says demand for abortion care continues to grow, with many patients traveling long distances to receive services.
>>PUC Slashes Xcel Rate Hike Request, Adds Customer Protections
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota utility regulators have approved a much smaller electric rate increase for Xcel Energy customers than the company originally requested. Xcel sought nearly a 10 percent increase this year, but the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission cut that request by almost 60 percent, approving a 2.3 percent increase for 2025 and a 3.4 percent increase for next year. The commission also approved new customer protections, including lower late-payment fees, expanded assistance for low-income households, and a program to help customers pay off overdue balances. Some customers could receive refunds because the final rates are lower than temporary rates already in effect.
>>Minnesota Power Breaks Ground on Major Transmission Upgrade
(Duluth, MN) — Minnesota Power has broken ground on a nearly $900 million transmission project designed to support the state’s clean energy future. The Duluth-based utility is upgrading a 465-mile high-voltage direct current line that runs from central North Dakota to the Duluth area. Company officials say the line will help move wind-generated electricity from the Dakotas into Minnesota more efficiently. Minnesota Power says the project is key to meeting the state’s goal of generating 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2040. The utility currently gets about 60 percent of its power from clean energy sources.
>>Storms Cancel Dave Matthews Concert at New Amphitheatre
(Shakopee, MN) – Just a few days old and the Mystic Lake Amphitheatre has its first cancellation. Storms rolled into the Twin Cities Tuesday night forcing officials to postpone the Dave Matthews Band concert in Shakopee. The new concert venue just opened on Saturday. According to a social media post, the concert will be rescheduled for August 31st, and ticket holders will be emailed additional information. The next scheduled concert is Thursday featuring The Guess Who.
>>DNR Expands Deer Feeding Ban to Slow CWD Spread
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota DNR has added five counties—Becker, Clearwater, Grant, McLeod, and Meeker, to its deer feeding and attractant ban following new detections of chronic wasting disease in wild deer. Officials say feeding deer causes animals to gather in larger numbers, increasing the risk of disease transmission. The ban now covers 37 counties statewide. Even outside the restricted areas, the DNR discourages feeding deer and instead recommends improving habitat to provide natural food sources and shelter for Minnesota’s white-tailed deer.
>>National Spotlight on Rochester Restaurant
(Rochester, MN) – National camera crews will soon shine the spotlight on a Rochester restaurant. Twigs Tavern and Grille will be featured by America’s Best Restaurants, a national media company for an upcoming promotional feature. Twigs is located at the Centerstone Plaza Hotel near the Mayo Clinic area. Almost their entire menu can be turned into gluten free meals.
