>>Minnesotans Are Voting Early
(St. Paul, MN) – It appears Minnesotans have gotten the message about early voting. The Secretary of State’s Office reports that in the first three weeks of early voting, local election officials have distributed 468,860 absentee and mail ballots. Of those, 127,682 ballots have been cast during absentee voting so far. This number is higher than the 2022 election when 99,252 Minnesotans cast their ballots in the first three weeks. A reminder that Tuesday, October 13 is the last day to register to vote in advance before the November 3 election. You can also register on Election Day.
>>Air Quality Alert Issued for West Central and Southwest Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality alert for west central and southwest Minnesota for Saturday. The hours of the alert are from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. The affected areas include Marshall, Worthington, Ortonville and the Tribal Nation of Upper Sioux. The MPCA says unseasonably warm temperatures and strong southernly wind gusts will result in blowing dust and reduced air quality on Saturday morning and afternoon. The air quality is at an orange level which means it can be unhealthy for people in sensitive groups.
>>Brown County Issues Burning Ban into Tuesday
(Brown County, MN) – Effective immediately, the Brown County Sheriff’s Office has issued a burning ban for the entire county. Due to Saturday’s forecasted critical fire weather conditions and current wildland fuel conditions, the DNR Forestry Burning Permit System will be set to no open burning, campfires allowed from now until Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. The order says recreational campfires will be allowed but they must be contained in a ring of either rock, cement, brick or metal and must not be closer than 25 feet of any structure.
>>Minneapolis Mayor Unveils Choice for New Police Chief
(Minneapolis) – Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is set to announce his choice for the next police chief. The city says Frey has chosen Bill Peterson as his nominee after a national search was conducted for a new chief. Peterson has served as the interim chief during the search and is a 30-year-veteran of the Minneapolis Police Department. Peterson has helped lead the department during responses to major incidents and events including the I-35 bridge collapse, periods of civil unrest and major events like the Super Bowl and Major League All-Star Game. The Minneapolis City Council will have to approve of the selection.
>>Bemidji Police Disarm Female with Rifle
(Bemidji, MN) – The Bemidji Police Department reports they were able to disarm a woman with a rifle walking around a residential area during a mental health crisis. Police say the woman was spotted in the area of Norton Avenue Northwest and 22nd Street Northwest just after 6 p.m. Thursday night. The officers attempted numerous times to contact the woman, but she refused the officers’ commands. After setting up a perimeter, the woman was safely taken in custody without officers using force. She was taken to the hospital for evaluation.
>>Rep. Anderson Calls on Governor to Provide Immediate Diesel Relief
(St. Paul, MN) – Another state lawmaker from the agriculture committee is calling on Governor Tim Walz to bring relief from diesel prices to Minnesota farmers. Representative Paul Anderson (R-Starbuck) is urging the governor to follow the federal government and several state’s lead by temporarily allowing red-dyed diesel to be used on Minnesota state highways without penalties. This would give farmers relief from the state’s 32.6-cent-per-gallon diesel tax. Anderson says even temporary relief would allow farmers, loggers and truckers to do their work and lower their expenses. DFL Senators Arik Putnam (D-St. Cloud) and Rob Kupec (DFL-Moorhead) have made similar requests of the governor. Diesel prices in Minnesota remain over $6 a gallon.
>>Minnesota Public Utilities Commission Approves Customer Bill Credits
(St. Paul, MN) – The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has approved two major credit programs that will provide more than $120 million in bill relief to Minnesota Power customers. The commission says this will ensure that the value of Minnesota Power’s assets and commitments made during the ALLETE acquisition flow directly back to customers. One program called the Land Sales Credit will bring $72.5 million in net proceeds from the sale of hydropower reservoir lands. Customers will see this credit on their January and February 2027 bills. The other program called the Acquisition Bill Credit will give customers a $15 credit on their March 2027 bills. Customers do not need to take any action to receive these credits.
