An investigation continues following a deadly gas explosion at a private Christian school in Minneapolis. Wednesday’s blast at Minnehaha Academy killed janitor John Carlson and receptionist Ruth Berg, and injured nine others. The NTSB is focusing on whether workers moving a gas meter at the school could have caused the explosion. A final report on the probe may not be released for a year.
A preliminary report shows the F-A-A never got a distress call from a plane that took off from Chicago bound for Warroad but crashed in northern Wisconsin July 1st, killing all six people on board. Five of the victims were from suburban Chicago and one was from California. They were to meet a guide group in Warroad for a fishing trip to Manitoba. A final report on the crash is due out in a few months.
A man is facing manslaughter charges after a baby boy was found dead inside a home that caught fire. The fire started Wednesday morning at a home in Tower. When the flames were put out, the body of the baby boy was found. Investigators are looking into the cause of the fire, but said yesterday that it didn’t appear to be arson. The man is also facing drug and auto theft charges.
U.S. Representative Rick Nolan is planning to run again for his seat in Congress. The Democrat announced his bid for reelection yesterday. He narrowly won his last race against Republican challenger Stewart Mills in their 2016 rematch in Minnesota’s 8th District.
Disaster relief is not just a dry topic for some in Congress. U.S. Representative Collin Peterson of Minnesota said yesterday that he thinks a new farm bill will include disaster provisions. In a committee listening session yesterday at Farmfest, Peterson said the most important thing he learned was how important crop insurance is. He also wants to include help for dairy farmers in the bill.
Minnesota biodiesel standards will double to 20 percent at gas stations next May. State commissioners announced the change at Farmfest in Redwood Falls yesterday. Commissioners say the move will help soybean farmers and reduce deadly emissions. Truckers and producers are concerned about supply and long waits at fueling stations.
Former Minneapolis Police Chief Janeé Harteau is being recognized by her peers across the country. She was named 2017 Woman Law Enforcement Executive of the Year yesterday at the conference of the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives in Kansas City, Missouri. Harteau received the award just two weeks after she resigned as police chief in the wake of the Justine Damond shooting last month.
A public memorial will be held next week for the Australian woman killed in a police shooting last month in Minneapolis. A gathering to remember Justine Damond is planned for August 11th at the Lake Harriet Bandshell in Minneapolis. Damond was shot by officer Mohamed Noor after she called the police to report a possible sexual assault. The incident is under investigation.
A group of wounded veterans is biking 500 miles from Minneapolis to Chicago. More than 150 veterans are participating in the 2017 UnitedHealthcare Great Lakes Challenge. The challenge benefits veterans and first responders with PTSD and other injuries. The riders were sent off by Representative Erik Paulsen, Representative Tim Walz, and Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges.
One person is dead and four others injured in a crash in Plymouth. Authorities say four vehicles collided yesterday near Highway 55 and Northwest Boulevard. One passenger died at the scene, others were taken to a local hospital.