>>St. Cloud House Fire Leaves 1 Person Hospitalized, 2 Pets Dead
(St. Cloud, MN) — Fire officials are investigating a house fire in St. Cloud that left one person hospitalized and two pets dead. Crews found smoke and flames coming from the house Thursday afternoon. Firefighters battled the flames and worked to get everyone out. They say one person was taken to the hospital with unknown injuries, and two pets did not survive. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is working with local investigators to determine the cause.
(St. Paul, MN) — This is a major milestone for the legal cannabis industry in Minnesota. Office of Cannabis Management Communications Director Josh Collins says a license preapproval lottery will be held on Tuesday, and around 200 pre-approvals will be made.
182 of those will be selected through the lottery process. Then, another 18 will move through without needing a lottery draw, and that’s because we did not have as many applications as available slots in four categories of licenses. The Office of Cannabis Management saw more than 1800 applicants from across the state.
>>Two Men Convicted of Human Smuggling in Fatal Fergus Fall Case
(Fergus Falls, MN) — Two men have been convicted in a human smuggling trial in Fergus Falls that left a family of four dead. 29-year-old Hari Patel and 50-year-old Steve Shand were accused of being part of a human smuggling ring that illegally transported residents from India into the United States by having them walk across the northern border. A couple in their 30s and their two children, ages 11 and 3, died in a blizzard while attempting to cross the border in 2022.
>>Rochester Man Sentenced to 6.5 Years in Prison for Fentanyl Bust
(Rochester, MN) — A Rochester man has been sentenced to six and a half years in prison for his role in a major 2022 fentanyl bust. 58-year-old Jeffrey Podolske was arrested in 2022 by Rochester police during a traffic stop. Podolske had an active arrest warrant in New Mexico for drug sales and possession. A search of his motorcycle turned up 685 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl and $10,000 in cash. Another $1,600 in cash was found on his person.
>>Indiana Man Pleads Guilty to Sending Fentanyl to Minnesota in Stuffed Animals
(St. Paul, MN) — Another man accused of hiding fentanyl in stuffed animals and mailing the pills to Minnesota is pleading guilty to federal drug charges. The U-S Attorney’s Office says 25-year-old Da’Shawn Domena of Indiana admitted that he traveled to Arizona to buy the pills and sent drugs from August 2022 through last December. Authorities in Minnesota seized six packages containing more than 30 thousand grams of fentanyl worth two million dollars. Twenty-five-year-old Cornell Chandler Junior of St. Paul was sentenced to 13 years in prison for his role in the fentanyl trafficking ring.
>>Mankato’s Ardent Mills to Close Mid-January
(Mankato, MN) — Mankato’s Ardent Mills will close mid-January due to “difficult market conditions.” The flour mill employs 44 people who will be transferred to another Ardent Mills facility or have to find new jobs. It’s unknown what will happen to the property, though Ardent Mills says they are working with the City of Mankato to find the best option.
>>Bentleyville Opens for the Season Saturday
(Duluth, MN) — A long-time holiday tradition kicks off tomorrow night in Duluth. With its holiday decorations and six million lights, Bentleyville will begin a 38-night run in Bayfront Festival Park. This is Bentleyville’s 21st year. One of the attractions this year is the largest man-made tree in the United States. Executive Director of Bentleyville Nathan Bentley says the 128-foot tree now has even more impressive, flashy new lights. It’s free to visit Bentleyville. The fun continues until December 28.
>>Charli XCX Bringing Brat to MN
(Minneapolis, MN) — Minnesota brats should prepare for Charli XCX’s visit to Minneapolis next year. The English hyperpop singer will perform her “Brat” tour at Target Center on April 26th, 2025. This comes after Charli XCX did not perform in multiple big Midwest cities on her original tour this year. Presale tickets go live on Tuesday at 10 a.m.
>> Maple Grove, Minnetonka Meet Tonight in Prep Bowl
(Minneapolis) – Tonight, Minnetonka and Maple Grove meet in the Class 6A Prep Bowl at 7 p.m. at U.S. Bank Stadium. It will be a rematch. Maple Grove defeated Minnetonka 31-21 during the regular season. Maple Grove is 12-0, Minnetonka is 10-2. In Class 1A earlier today, Minnesota won their third straight championship, defeating Springfield 70-20.
