>>Champlin Police Search for Missing 15-Year-Old
(Champlin, MN) — Champlin police are searching for a missing 15-year-old girl. Cas Chai Williams was last seen at her home around 5:20 p.m. on Thursday. She’s described as Black, five feet two inches tall, 115 pounds, with brown hair and eyes. Williams was last seen wearing a white dress.
>>Victims in McGregor Plane Crash Hospitalized in Stable Condition
(McGregor, MN) — Authorities say the three people injured in a plane crash Sunday near the McGregor Airport are all in stable condition. The Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office says their plane lost power after takeoff and was attempting to return when it went down in a swampy area short of the runway. The three occupants have been identified as 23-year-old Kaden Brazinsky of Ham Lake, 22-year-old Wyatt Sherry of New Richmond, and 23-year-old Jocelyn Erlandson from Ham Lake. The report does not indicate who was flying the plane. The F-A-A arrived at the scene today.
>>Man Injured in Tire Accident in Morrison County
(Elmdale Township, MN) — A Morrison County man was injured Sunday afternoon while inflating a tractor tire. According to the sheriff’s office, deputies responded just before 4:00 p.m. to a report of a man with a broken leg at a residence two miles northwest of Upsala. Authorities say 54-year-old Dale Breth of Burtrum was adding air to a tractor tire when the rim suddenly blew off, striking his leg. He was taken to the hospital for treatment.
>>Little Falls Man Falls from Tree While Hunting
(Leigh, Township, MN) — A Little Falls man was injured in a hunting accident Friday afternoon. The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office says they received a call around 12:40 p.m. reporting a fall from a tree three miles north of Hillman. Deputies say 61-year-old Robert Hebler was bow hunting and had climbed about 20 feet into a tree when he lost his balance and fell. Hebler was taken to Onamia Hospital with injuries that have not yet been disclosed.
>>MN Farm Mediation Notices on the Rise
(Undated) – The number of Minnesota farmers facing mediation because of financial crisis has risen dramatically this year. Minnesota Department of Agriculture Farm Advocate Steve Zenk says, “We’re seeing right now people that are going to have difficulty paying back their operating loans this fall. With the lower grain prices, and all the inputs have continued to go up, so at the end of the year, there might not be enough money to go around to get everybody paid.” Zenk says farmers only have 10 days to respond once given notice of mediation; otherwise, they waive their right to mediation, allowing the lender to make the decisions. This could mean surrendering assets, such as machinery, or having real estate foreclosed upon. To learn more about farmer mediation, go to www.mnfarmstress.com.
>>UMD Workers Join Others in Demand for a Union
(Duluth, MN) – Hundreds of workers at the University of Minnesota-Duluth are joining thousands of employees in the U of M system who want to join a union. DFL State Senator Jen McEwen of Duluth says the difference in paychecks is one of the leading causes, noting, “I don’t think we’ve ever seen in our history where the ultra rich have an almost unfathomable amount of money and working people continue to struggle in ways that really don’t reflect the kind of output or the work production they’re doing.” The university system settled one strike recently that included food service, janitorial, and groundskeeping workers.
>>MN Youth, Lawmakers Speak Out About Federal Shutdown
(Minneapolis, MN) – As the federal government shutdown continues, Minnesota students, union leaders, and lawmakers are speaking out about its impact. Kate Black, Field Director for AFSCME (American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees) Council 5, says cuts to public programs don’t take away the need and instead, “we see communities suffering, and our public dollars funneled to corporations and away from the public good. It’s a scam and it’s not the future young people were promised or deserve.” Republicans say their budget proposal, which includes healthcare reductions, is needed to rein in federal spending. Minnesota’s GOP congressional delegation has not yet responded to the criticism.
>>DFL Criticizes Stauber for Attending Project He Opposed
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota DFL is calling out Representative Pete Stauber for attending today’s (MON, 1 p.m.) ribbon-cutting for the Twin Ports Interchange in Duluth. The party says the project was funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Stauber voted against. DFL Chair Ken Carlbom accuses Stauber of hypocrisy, saying he’s taking credit for a project he opposed. Stauber has previously drawn criticism for celebrating infrastructure investments he didn’t support in Congress in 2002 and 2024.
>>Xcel Battery Storage Plan for MN Energy Capacity
(Minneapolis, MN) — Xcel Energy is proposing a first-in-the-nation battery storage network to meet Minnesota’s growing energy needs. Officials say the Capacity-Connect proposal would deploy up to 200 megawatts of distributed battery capacity by 2028, and batteries would be placed at businesses and nonprofits statewide. This aligns with the state’s goal to achieve 100 percent carbon-free electricity for all utilities by 2040. Xcel says the system will store energy when it’s cheap and deliver it during peak demand.
>>Minnesota Ranks Among Safest States
(Undated) — A new survey shows that Minnesota is the 8th safest state in the country. WalletHub analyzed 52 different indicators to assess the safety of all 50 states. Minnesota ranked high in road safety (2nd), financial safety (5th), and workplace safety (6th). The state was middle of the road (23rd) when it comes to personal and residential safety and emergency preparedness. Vermont is considered the safest state, with Louisiana coming in last.
>>Chi-Chi’s Restaurant Returns to Minnesota
(St. Louis Park, MN) — Chi-Chi’s is back in Minnesota after a 20-year absence. The iconic Mexican restaurant held its grand opening today at the West End in St. Louis Park, led by Michael McDermott, son of co-founder Marno McDermott. The flagship location features fan favorites like chimichangas and nachos, plus new menu items. Chi-Chi’s closed in 2004 after a hepatitis A outbreak but says it’s returning stronger than ever, with more locations planned.
