>>Fairview and Sanford Health Back Away From Proposed Merger
(Minneapolis, MN) — Minnesota-based Fairview Health Services and Sanford Health of South Dakota are calling off their proposed merger — for the second time in about a decade. Fairview C-E-O James Hereford (HAIR-uh-ford) says in a statement, “Without support for this transaction from certain stakeholders, we have determined it is in the best interest of Fairview Health Services to discontinue the merger process.” Sanford president Bill Gassen says essentially the same thing, except Gassen attributes it to a lack of support “from certain Minnesota stakeholders.” There were several public hearings around the state on the proposed Fairview-Sanford merger.
>>GOP Senator Accuses Democrats of Blocking Fairview, Sanford Merger
(St. Paul, MN) — Some Republican lawmakers are blaming the D-F-L for South Dakota-based Sanford Health and Fairview Health Services calling off their proposed merger. G-O-P Senator Paul Utke of Park Rapids says in a statement, “The ongoing investigation by Attorney General Ellison and broad powers given to him in this process made it clear Democrats are not working in good faith to give every business the opportunity to thrive in Minnesota.” Some University of Minnesota officials were not supportive of the merger due to Fairview’s ownership of the U of M’s teaching hospitals.
>>MNA Relieved Fairview/Sanford Merger Called Off
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Nurses Association says its members are relieved that the planned merger between Sanford Health and Fairview will not move forward. M-N-A president Mary Turner says nurses have expressed deep concern that it would lead to a loss of healthcare access across Minnesota, especially in rural communities. And about the planned merger of Essentia with Wisconsin’s Marshfield Clinic Health System, the M-N-A’s Chris Rubesch in Duluth says “We want to make it clear that nurses, patients, and our community expect the merged entities to recognize our union and our contract, and to commit to prioritizing safe patient care.”
>>US Senate Commerce Committee Passes AM for Every Vehicle Act
(Washington, D-C) — The U-S Senate Commerce Committee is approving the bipartisan “A-M For Every Vehicle Act.” The legislation co-sponsored by Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar directs federal regulators to require automakers to maintain A-M broadcast radio in their new vehicles at no additional charge. Klobuchar says, “Minnesotans look to A-M radio for everything from news and weather updates to music and sports scores. It’s critical to protect A-M radio for our communities, but right now, it’s on the chopping block.”
>>MnDOT Spent a Record $174 Million to Plow Highways Last Winter
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Department of Transportation spent a record 174-million dollars to clear highways in the state last winter. MnDOT spokeswoman Anne Meyer says we saw a lot of snow statewide, and many areas saw record amounts of snowfall. She also says the increased cost of gasoline, materials and salt was more per ton than they were in previous seasons. MnDOT snowplow drivers worked more than 850 thousand regular hours and overtime last winter. She says that’s 100 thousand more hours than the winter of 2021-2022.
>>Shooting in St. Paul is City’s 19th Homicide of 2023
(St. Paul, MN) — Police in St. Paul are investigating the city’s 19th homicide of the year. Officers say a man was found lying on the street with a gunshot wound Thursday afternoon in the Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood. Paramedics started first aid but the victim died at the scene. Investigators say they arrested a suspect in the area. Detectives are looking for video from the neighborhood that may have captured the shooting.
>>Mega Millions Jackpot Climbs
(Roseville, MN) — Minnesota Lottery officials say a massive Mega Millions jackpot is on the line tonight (Friday). The estimated prize is 910 million dollars, 462.2 million if you take the cash option. This is the fifth-largest Mega Millions jackpot in the game’s history. While everyone looks forward to winning the jackpot, the lottery reminds players that there are eight other prize tiers. A 110-million-dollar Mega Millions jackpot was won by a player in Ramsey in April of 2022.
>>Al’s Breakfast in Dinkytown Named Best MN Diner by Readers Digest
(Minneapolis, MN) — A Reader’s Digest survey running down the nation’s best diners state-by-state names Al’s Breakfast in Dinkytown as Minnesota’s top diner. The article reported, “Since it has only 13 stools, visitors will have an intimate experience over the diner’s iconic corned beef hash and French toast.” Al’s Breakfast has won many other honors over the years, such as the James Beard Award in 2004 and being featured on the Food Network at least three times. Legendary musician Bob Dylan used to eat at Al’s Breakfast while attending the University of Minnesota.
>>Minnesota Twins Reinstate Buxton From Paternity List
(Minneapolis, MN) — Designated hitter Byron Buxton is expected to be back in the Minnesota Twins’ lineup tonight in Kansas City (Friday) following the birth of his son. The team reinstated Buxton from the Paternity List on Thursday and sent outfielder Trevor Larnach (LAR’-nick) back to the Triple-A St. Paul Saints. The Twins says Buxton and his wife, Lindsey, had their third child, Baire, on Monday morning in Minneapolis. Buxton has missed the team’s last three games.
