>>Governor Walz Declares Peacetime Emergency for Wildfires
(St. Paul, MN) – As the wildfires continue to burn across the state, Governor Tim Walz has declared a peacetime emergency and directed state agencies to provide assistance to help respond and recover from the wildfires. Under this declaration, the Department of Public Safety’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will continue with support and assistance on-site at the affected areas. Last week, the governor authorized the National Guard to assist firefighters and he toured the damaged areas in northeastern Minnesota.
>>Legislative Leaders Hoping for Quick Special Session
(St. Paul, MN) — The legislative session may be over but the work continues. Working groups are at the State Capitol trying to finish off the outstanding budget bills. D-F-L House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman says she is hoping that all the bills are wrapped by 5pm Wednesday and the earliest a special session would happen would probably be Friday. Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth says they’re ready to move things forward and get it done as quickly as possible for the people of Minnesota. Governor Tim Walz has said that he would like to see all the work finished on the bills, and then he will call a one day special session.
>>Maynard Woman Reaches Plea Deal in Drug Overdose Death of Willmar Man
(Willmar, MN) — A woman from Chippewa County reached a plea deal with Kandiyohi County prosecutors in the drug-related death of a Willmar man. Officials say 21-year-old Mercedes Carpenter of Maynard entered an Alford plea to second-degree manslaughter and five other charges were dismissed, including third-degree murder. Carpenter will be sentenced on July 14th. Court records say Carpenter and co-defendant, Lateef Mahaffey, Junior of Benson, worked together to sell drugs to the victim in September of 2022. The man was later found dead in his bathtub and the cause of death was fentanyl toxicity.
>>Red Lake Man Convicted of Sexually Abusing Minor on the Reservation
(Fergus Falls, MN) — A Red Lake man is facing federal prison time for the sexual abuse of a minor on the Red Lake Indian Reservation. A federal jury found 37-year-old Clarence Clark, Junior guilty on two felony counts following a three-day trial in Fergus Falls. The evidence shows Clark sexually assaulted a minor who was physically incapacitated on March 1st, 2024. Another minor interrupted the crime, ran to neighbor’s house, and they called 9-1-1. Police found Clark intoxicated at the scene. His sentencing hearing hasn’t been scheduled.
>>Both Twins vs. Guardians Games Rained Out Tuesday at Target Field
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Twins and Guardians are rained out again tonight (Tues) at Target Field. The series opener that was suspended on Monday is scheduled to resume at 12:10 pm tomorrow (Wed) with Minnesota leading Cleveland 2-1 in the fourth inning. Wednesday’s originally scheduled matinee will begin 30 minutes after the conclusion of the suspended game. Tonight’s game is being postponed until Saturday September 20th and will be played as part of a split doubleheader.
