>>Two Men Charged with Unlawful Voting and Identity Theft from Primary Election
(Minneapolis) – The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office (HCAO) charged two individuals Wednesday for their conduct during the Minnesota primary election on August 11. James Edward O’Keefe, 42, and Cam Higby, 26, both face felony charges of unlawful voting and identity theft. The HCAO says O’Keefe and Higby filmed themselves and posted the videos to social media to try to show doubt about Minnesota’s secure voting systems. In the videos, both Mr. O’Keefe and Mr. Higby visited multiple precincts in Hennepin County and misrepresented their identities by giving election judges names of registered voters in the precinct without those voters’ knowledge or permission. Hennepin County Attorney said despite these being felonies, the two men will likely avoid prison and may be sentenced to some jailtime and probation if convicted.
>>Strong Storms Possible for Parts of Minnesota
(Undated) – The National Weather Service says there is a Slight (Level 2 of 5) Risk in place for severe storms later Wednesday afternoon and into the evening for east-central Minnesota including the Twin Cities Metro, through far western Wisconsin. The area is surrounded by a marginal (Level 1 of 5) Risk for the remainder of central-southern Minnesota. A few strong thunderstorms that include large hail, damaging winds and a few tornadoes are possible.
>>Minnesota lawmakers press FEMA for delayed funding
(Washington, D.C.) — Seven Minnesota lawmakers are urging FEMA to release delayed disaster funding. The group includes Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, along with Representatives Betty McCollum, Pete Stauber, Angie Craig, Brad Finstad and Kelly Morrison. They say eleven grant applications tied to Minnesota’s record 2024 storms and flooding remain unapproved. The funding would support flood mitigation and community recovery, including efforts related to Rapidan Dam. The lawmakers are also seeking overdue emergency and pandemic-related reimbursements and want FEMA to provide a timeline for payment.
>>Fed Holds Interest Rates Steady Despite Concerns Over Inflation
(Washington, D.C.) – The Federal Reserve voted Wednesday to keep interest rates on hold, despite concerns over inflation. The Fed kept the overnight funds rate in a range of between 3.75 percent and 4 percent, where it’s been since the decision in September. This is the last decision by the Fed before the midterm elections next Tuesday, November 3rd.
>>Wolves Will Miss Star Anthony Edwards
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Timberwolves will be without star player Anthony Edwards for the foreseeable future. Edwards has elected to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery, which means he will likely be out until January. Edwards has been nursing a knee injury since the summer. Minnesota is 3-1 after losing in overtime in Cleveland on Monday night. The Wolves will host the 1-3 Golden State Warriors tonight at the Target Center. After starting season 0-3, Golden State just beat Denver 134-114 on Monday. Steph Curry scored 24 points on 8-of-8 shooting from three-point range in that win. Tonight’s game tips off at 7 P-M in downtown Minneapolis.
