>>Avian Flu has Returned to Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) — State officials confirmed a new case of highly pathogenic avian influenza—HPAI—at a commercial turkey farm in Redwood County.
The flock, made up of about 20,000 turkey toms, showed signs of increased mortality. Samples taken earlier this week tested positive for influenza A and the H5 strain. The Minnesota Poultry Testing Lab ran initial diagnostics, and federal labs in Iowa confirmed the results. More testing is underway to classify the virus. This is the first detection of avian flu in Minnesota poultry since April. The state had officially declared itself free of the disease just last month. Dr. Shauna Voss with the Board of Animal Health says the timing isn’t surprising. “As wild waterfowl begin migrating, the risk of transmission rises. Biosecurity is still our best defense.” Response teams are now back in action, working to contain the virus and protect other flocks across the state.
>>Fraud Prevention Hearing Tension
(St. Paul, MN) — The Fraud Prevention Committee hearing this morning opened with political tension and pointed questions. DFL Representative Dave Pinto of St. Paul challenged whether Republican Kristin Robbins should continue chairing the committee, now that she’s announced her run for governor. Representative Robbins responded, “I don’t see a conflict. I am an elected representative of my district, chairing this committee. The governor is the elected governor of this state. He does not plan to curtail his governor activities, and I do not plan to curtail my elected representative activities.” After the hearing, Representative Pinto called the Fraud Committee “an exercise in campaign politics.” Robbins says she has no plans to step down as chair.
>>Klobuchar Reintroduces Bill to Undo Tariffs on Canada
(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar has reintroduced her bill to undo President Trump’s across-the-board tariffs on Canadian goods. On August 1st, the administration imposed a 35 percent tariff on goods from our northern neighbors. Klobuchar said, “The president can not abuse his power to continue an unjustified trade war with one of our strongest allies, Canada.” She added that Canada is Minnesota’s top trading partner. The senator’s office notes that travel from Canada to the U.S. has dropped by 20 percent this year.
>>Cokato Woman Charged in Magic Mushroom Overdose of 2 Kids
(Cokato, MN) — A Wright County woman is facing drug and child endangerment charges after two kids overdosed on psychedelic mushrooms last week. Sheriff’s deputies were called to Cokato Elementary for two students behaving strangely after eating a chocolate bar containing magic mushrooms. The students were taken to the hospital for treatment. The criminal complaint says one of the juveniles is the daughter of 39-year-old Cassie Taurianien, and she got the chocolate from her mom’s refrigerator. Authorities searched Taurianien’s apartment and found meth, fentanyl, hypodermic needles, and other drug paraphernalia.
>>University of Minnesota Ends Shooting Range Contract with ICE
(Rosemount, MN) — The University of Minnesota has officially ended its contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for use of its shooting range at UMore Park in Rosemount. The university also announced it will no longer allow outside agencies to use the facility for officer training. Local law enforcement agencies have previously used the range, but starting December 1st, access will be restricted exclusively to the University of Minnesota police. U of M Police Chief Eric Swanson says the decision followed careful evaluation of staffing investments, maintenance needs, and potential liability concerns.
>>Two Fatal Crashes Reported Tuesday in Mahnomen County
(Mahnomen County, MN) — Authorities in northwestern Minnesota are investigating two separate fatal crashes that occurred Tuesday in Mahnomen County. The first crash happened around 8:30 a.m. northeast of Waubun. Responding officers found a pickup truck on its side in the roadway. The driver, 17-year-old Cash Tibbetts, was discovered lying on the road and was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators say Tibbetts was driving at a high rate of speed when he lost control on a gravel road curve, causing the vehicle to roll. He was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the truck. The second crash occurred around 7:15 p.m. near the Mahnomen/Norman County line. A car collided with a tractor towing equipment. The driver of the car, 20-year-old Chance Keezer of Mahnomen, was not injured but was found to be intoxicated. He was arrested for DWI. His passenger, 53-year-old Robert Keezer Sr., also of Mahnomen, was pronounced dead at the scene. The tractor driver was not injured.
>>MPCA Completes Nearly 70 Enforcement Cases
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) completed 68 enforcement cases in early 2025 involving water, air, hazardous waste, stormwater, and wastewater violations. Investigations often take months or longer before final penalties are issued. Fines are based on environmental harm, economic gain from noncompliance, and cooperation in resolving issues. Beyond penalties, MPCA staff offer guidance and support to help regulated parties return to compliance.
>>Fed Reserve Lower Interest Rates
(Washington, DC) — The Federal Reserve is cutting interest rates for the first time in nine months. The Fed cut rates by a quarter-percentage point today.(WED) It comes as President Trump has called for the central bank to lower rates for months. Stocks are mixed after the announcement. A majority of policymakers said they want two more rate cuts yet this year.
