>>Unemployment Rate Holds Steady
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota’s unemployment rate held steady at 4.5 percent in March, even as the national rate dipped slightly to 4.3 percent, according to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. State officials say the labor market showed signs of stabilizing after a weaker February. Minnesota added about 800 jobs over the month, essentially flat growth, while the U.S. gained 178,000 jobs. Private sector hiring in the state was also mostly unchanged. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s labor force participation rate slipped to 67.6 percent, though it remains well above the national rate of 61.9 percent.
>>Glenwood Bar Fire
(Glenwood, MN) — Fire damaged AJ’s Bar and Grill on Wednesday morning in Glenwood. Fire crews were called to the scene around 10 a.m. Mutual aid from Villard and Starbuck helped contain the blaze, preventing it from spreading throughout the entire building. The business will remain closed due to fire, smoke, and water damage. Investigators with the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire was accidental, originating in a towel dryer. No injuries were reported. Fire officials say they’re grateful for the community’s support and thanked responding agencies.
>>Stabbing in Duluth Connected to Shots Fired at Superior Police Car
(Duluth, MN) — Authorities in the Twin Ports are investigating a stabbing in Duluth that is reportedly connected to shots fired at a Superior squad car. Police in Duluth say two men got into an argument with a victim Wednesday night and stabbed him in the hand. The suspects then fled to Superior and led police on a short chase. Officers in Superior said a single shot was fired from inside the suspect vehicle, but no one was injured. Both men were arrested and one was taken to the hospital for treatment of a minor injury. A gun without a serial number was seized from the car.
>>Off-Highway Vehicle Riding Season Opens Tomorrow
(St. Paul, MN) — The DNR is reminding riders to prepare before hitting off-highway vehicle trails as the season opens tomorrow(Fri). The state offers more than 3,000 miles of trails for ATVs, off-highway motorcycles, and off-road vehicles, but officials say conditions may vary due to late snowmelt or flooding. Riders are urged to check trail status in advance, stay on marked routes, and ensure they meet safety certification requirements. Registration is also required for all OHVs on state and grant-in-aid trails. The DNR says those fees help maintain trails and support safety programs, and encourages riders to consider joining local clubs that help keep trails in good shape.
>>April Weather Recap
(St. Paul, MN) — It’s a cool end to April across Minnesota, with highs only in the 40s and 50s today. Assistant State Climatologist Pete Boulay says it’s been an unusually active month, featuring everything from heavy rain in the southeast to more than a foot of snow in the northwest. He says April also brought nine tornadoes statewide and above-normal moisture. The severe weather season began April 13th, with multiple tornado outbreaks, including several stronger EF-2 twisters in southern Minnesota. Boulay notes tornadoes can occur in the state from March through November, and in rare cases, even in December.
>>Minnesota Lottery Player Wins Big Money
(Roseville, MN) — A Minnesota lottery player is $1 million richer after the latest Powerball drawing. According to the Minnesota State Lottery, a winning ticket matching five numbers, just missing the Powerball, was sold at a Kwik Trip in Vadnais Heights. That combination is the game’s top non-jackpot prize, worth one million. Lottery officials say the jackpot-winning tickets for the same drawing were sold in Indiana and Kansas, splitting an estimated $143 million prize. The Powerball jackpot has now reset to $20 million for Saturday’s drawing.
