>>Minnesota Reps Introduce “Make ICE Pay Act” in Congress
(Washington, D.C.) – Minnesota Congresswomen Angie Craig and Ilhan Omar have introduced legislation that would establish a federal grant program to reimburses states for costs incurred and damages caused by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The ‘Make ICE Pay Act” would direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish this grant program using the federal funding previously appropriated to ICE and Customs and Border Protection. This legislation follows months of ICE agents in Minnesota during Operation Metro Surge earlier this year.
>>Minnesota Adds 1,500 Jobs in August, Unemployment Rises Slightly
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota added 1,500 jobs in August, while the state’s unemployment rate edged up one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.4%. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development says the state has added more than 45,000 jobs over the past year, a growth rate of 1.5%. That’s compared with 0.3% nationally. DEED officials say the report presents a mixed picture, with strong annual job growth but a shrinking labor force and slower wage growth.
>>Credit Acceptance Settlement Brings $8.5 Million in Relief to Minnesotans
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesotans could receive more than $8.5 million in debt relief and refunds under a nationwide settlement with subprime auto lender Credit Acceptance Corporation. Attorney General Keith Ellison and 40 other state attorneys general accused the company of making unaffordable auto loans and financing costly add-on products without consumers’ knowledge. The settlement requires Credit Acceptance to forgive more than $630 million in debt nationwide and pay $75.5 million to the states. Eligible Minnesota consumers will be contacted automatically and do not need to apply for relief.
>>Willmar Man Sentenced for Drive-by Shooting
(Willmar, MN) – A Willmar man was sentenced Thursday to four years and 10 months in prison for shooting at a home with eight people inside earlier this year. Police say at least eight shots were fired at the home on East Litchfield Avenue on March 3rd. Ten charges were filed against 20-year-old Mario Galvan, including drive-by shooting, assault and felon in possession of a firearm. Galvan pleaded guilty to the drive-by shooting charge last month, and the others were dropped. Kandiyohi County Judge Stephen Wentzell Thursday sentenced Galvan to 58 months in prison and gave him credit for 157 days he has spent in jail since his arrest. Galvan and two co-defendants have been ordered to pay the victims of the shooting $7,350 in restitution. No one was injured in the incident.
>>Event Venue Closing in Stearns County
(Undated) – The Stearns County Sheriff’s Department says they have shut down “The Hay Shed” north of St. Joseph. In a news release, they say the event venue and its owner, Alysious William Studinski, are not in compliance with safety, fire, septic and related rules required of all venue rental businesses in Minnesota. In Stearns County District Court January 16th, Studinski was instructed to work with officials to come into compliance, but county officials say he has refused and continued to host events like parties and weddings. Studinski has said he is not a U.S. citizen, and the rules don’t apply to him, and that his parties are private events and he is not a commercial venue.
>>Motorcyclists Begin Three-Day Fall Flood Run
(St. Paul, MN) – A reminder to all Minnesota motorists beginning tomorrow. There will be more motorcycles on the road. Starting tomorrow, thousands of motorcyclists are expected to participate in the Fall Flood Run. The three-day run takes riders along the Mississippi and St. Croix Valley roadways between the Twin Cities east metro and Winona. Public safety officials are cautioning drivers to be on the look out as motorcycle deaths are up this year. There have been 63 motorcycle deaths this year compared with 45 in 2025.
>>Tettegouche State Park Receives State Funding
(St. Paul, MN) – Money from the 2026 bonding bill passed by the state legislature is heading to northern Minnesota and Tettegouche State Park. Senator Grant Hauschild (DFL-Hermantown) says he has secured approximately $3.25 million dollars for improvements to the park. Plans include replacing the campground entrance bridge and the Visitor Center septic system. Hauschild said, “We must ensure resources like this have the modern, accessible infrastructure that they need to thrive.” In total, $30 million of the 2026 bonding bill was dedicated to statewide efforts for preserving and rehabilitating public assets and public lands.
>>Rabies Confirmed in Brown County Cow
(Brown County, MN) — Nine people are being advised to receive rabies treatment after a cow in southern Minnesota tested positive for the deadly virus. The Minnesota Board of Animal Health says the Hereford heifer began showing unusual behavior September 1st and was euthanized two days later as its condition worsened. Testing confirmed rabies September 8th. Officials say several people may have been exposed to the animal’s saliva while treating it without protective equipment. Thirteen cattle are now quarantined, and more than 40 others are being monitored. Two potentially exposed, unvaccinated barn cats were euthanized.
