>>Minnesota Ag Delegation Leaves for Trade Mission to Japan
(St. Paul, MN) — A delegation from Minnesota is leaving today (Friday) for a business development trade mission to Japan. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is leading the one-week trip which includes state officials, lawmakers, and representatives from local ag organizations. The group will meet with Japanese agricultural companies and look for new opportunities for trade growth. Governor Tim Walz will host the delegation for a reception Tuesday during the 2023 Midwest U-S-Japan Conference in Tokyo. The country is Minnesota’s fourth-largest export market.
>>Governor Walz’s Task Force on U Of M Health Programs Is Gaining Interest
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz’s task force on University of Minnesota health programs is gaining the interest of many industry veterans. More than 60 people have applied to become a part of the group. The list of applicants includes former Allina Health CEO Doctor Penny Wheeler, one-time United Health Group executive Lois Quam, and ex-state Department of Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jones. Governor Walz says the task force is responsible for developing recommendations to support health professions education, research, and care delivery. A final report is due by mid-January.
>>U.S. Education Secretary Wraps up Bus Tour
(Undated) — U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona is wrapping up his “Back to School Tour 2023: Raise the Bar” in Minnesota today. Senator Tina Smith says today’s stop at John Marshall High School in Rochester focused on student mental health. Rochester Public Schools was the recipient of a two-million-dollar federal grant to be used for mental health needs. Secretary of Education Cardona says Rochester is an example of work that can be replicated elsewhere. The group is also visiting Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount and the Txuj Ci Language and Culture Lower Campus in St. Paul this afternoon.
>>Buffalo Man Runs into Burning Building to Save Residents
(Buffalo, MN) — A Minnesota man is being praised for running into a burning building to save the people living there. Matt Stewart was sitting with his fiancée in Buffalo on Wednesday when an explosion happened down the street. He ran to the duplex with a fire extinguisher and pounded on the door, helping an elderly couple and another person escape. He made one last dash into the building to see if anyone else was home before being forced outside. No one else was in the duplex and Stewart was the only one who needed medical care after breathing in too much smoke. Investigators say the fire started in the upstairs kitchen, though the cause is still under investigation.
>>U of M Regents Approve Land Sale to Meta for $700 M Data Center
(Minneapolis, MN) — The University of Minnesota Board of Regents is giving its approval to the sale of 280 acres of land in Rosemount to Meta Platforms. The parent company of Facebook and Instagram plans to build a 700-million-dollar data center at the site of UMore Park. The U of M owns a total of 71 hundred acres of land at UMore Park. Meta officials expect to create at least 50 full-time jobs at the data center and more than a thousand during construction. The project is scheduled to start next year. Xcel Energy will provide the electricity for the facility.
>>US Team, Wolves’ G Edward Lose in FIBA World Cup Semifinal
(Manila, PH) — Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards scored 23 points in Team U-S-A’s 113-111 loss to Germany today (Friday) in the semifinals of the FIBA (FEE’-buh) World Cup. Edwards pulled the U-S within three points late in the fourth quarter, but the Germans continued to make shots. The Americans will face Team Canada for the bronze medal in Manila. Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker plays for Canada. Team U-S-A did qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympics.