>>Electrical Equipment Blamed for Deadly White Bear Lake Fire
(White Bear Lake, MN) — Investigators say an electrical problem caused the March house fire that killed a White Bear Lake mother and her three children. Preliminary findings from the State Fire Marshal show electrical equipment overheated in a room being used as an office, accidentally starting the fire. Jessi Pierce and her children Hudson, Cayden and Avery died along with the family dog. Investigators say conditions deteriorated rapidly, with the home’s main escape route becoming nearly impossible to use about five minutes after the fire began.
>>U of M announces $225 million in cuts
(Minneapolis, MN) – The University of Minnesota is planning major budget cuts across its entire system. University President Rebecca Cunningham announced Thursday that the university will reduce spending by 225 million dollars over the next two years, citing enrollment changes, uncertain state and federal funding, and rising costs. The cuts amount to roughly 12 to 15 percent of operating revenue and follow job reductions and tuition increases approved earlier this year. University leaders say every campus and academic unit will be involved in identifying where spending cuts will be made.
>>Education Department Creates Task Force for Standardized Testing
(St. Paul, MN) – The Minnesota Department of Education announced a new 28-member task force in charge of reviewing the state’s standardized testing and assessment and identifying recommendations for future reform. Currently, Minnesota’s assessment system relies on single-administration standardized tests that provide limited instructional value. Feedback from educators, school leaders, students, parents, and elected officials of all political persuasions reflects consensus on the need for a more adaptive, timely, and informative system that is relevant, promotes alternative pathways to learning, and provides more actionable data. The task force is expected to start meeting in October.
>>Senator Smith Unveils Legislation to Help Homeless Population
(Washington, D.C.) – In Minnesota, it’s estimated that more than 8,300 people stay in homeless shelters every night with many shelters operating at near capacity. To help, Minnesota Senator Tina Smith unveiled new legislation to increase the capacity of existing shelters and offer permanent supportive housing across the nation. The legislation would provide $1.5 billion in federal support over the course of five years. Smith is the top Democrat on the Senate Housing Subcommittee.
>>MPCA Fines Maplewood Medical Building for Improper Infectious Waste Disposal
(St. Paul, MN) – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has fined Hazelwood Medical Building LLC more than $13,000 for improper disposal of infectious waste from its location in Maplewood. MPCA staff determined that on two separate instances in January and April 2026, Hazelwood Medical Building had sent infectious waste to facilities that were not authorized to accept it. In addition to paying the fine, Hazelwood will ensure that all infectious waste produced on its premises will be transported to the appropriate facility.
>>Minnesota Awards Grants to Fight Invasive Plants
(St. Paul, MN) — Six Minnesota communities and conservation districts are receiving state funding to control invasive plants and restore native vegetation. The Board of Water and Soil Resources is awarding a total of $179,000 through its Managing Invasives for Resilient Landscapes program. Funding can be used to remove invasive species, establish native plants and educate the public. Grants are going to projects in Anoka, Carlton, Pennington, Pine and Swift counties, along with the city of Plymouth.
>>Minnesota Offers Grants to Help Specialty Crop Growers Prepare for Extreme Weather
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota specialty crop growers can apply for state funding to better protect their farms from drought, flooding and severe weather. The Department of Agriculture is offering grants of up to $10,000 for improvements including irrigation equipment, wells, water tanks, hail netting and frost protection. A dollar-for-dollar match is required, with priority given to farmers who have been operating for 10 years or less. The state has $500,000 available, and applications are due November 17th.
