>Mayo Clinic Set to Announce Major Expansion Plans
(St. Paul, MN) — Mayo Clinic announces a major expansion in downtown Rochester today (noon) and Governor Tim Walz will be among the dignitaries on hand. Earlier this year Mayo announced plans for a multi-billion-dollar investment in downtown Rochester that would see the construction of new medical and support facilities. Last month, the Rochester City Council approved an update to Mayo’s five-year plan that indicated intentions to add 1.7 million square feet of new space for medical care. Earlier this year, Mayo threatened to send billions of dollars in projects to other states if the legislature passed a bill that would have formed committees including nurses to set staffing levels at Minnesota hospitals. Many other hospitals also voiced opposition, and lawmakers dropped the measure in the closing hours of the 2023 legislative session.
>One Dead in Four-Vehicle Crash on Highway 169 In St. Peter
(St. Peter, MN) — Authorities are investigating after a deadly four-vehicle crash in St. Peter. The collision happened yesterday afternoon on Highway 169. According to the Minnesota State Patrol 79-year-old Robert Gardner, who was a passenger in the car was killed in the crash. The driver Judith Gardner suffered life-threatening injuries. Authorities say Gardner failed to yield at the right of way which resulted in the vehicles colliding with each other.
>No Foul Play Suspected In Goodhue County Man’s Death
(Red Wing, MN) — The Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office says no foul play is suspected in the death of a man who was missing for more than a week. The body of 57-year-old Brad Nagel was found on property he owned in rural Red Wing on Sunday. Sheriff Marty Kelly says Nagel suffered a single, self-inflicted wound and that his body was found at the bottom of a steep embankment on the property. Nagel was reported missing in mid-November and his truck was found in a back channel of the Mississippi River on November 19th.
>Minnesota Hunter Bags Rare “Unicorn Buck”
(Granite Falls, MN) — A Minnesota hunter is celebrating a rare find following a weekend trip to Granite Falls. Chase Mortenson of Madison was hunting on his uncle’s farm on Sunday when he bagged a buck with three antlers growing from its head. The rare “unicorn buck” had a pair of normal antlers as well as a small outgrowth in the middle of its forehead. Mortenson shot at the deer and initially thought he’d missed, but says he found the buck about 20 yards away from his stand.
>Rochester School District Plans to Close Three Schools
(Rochester, MN) — Rochester school district officials plan to shut down three schools. They unveiled a proposal yesterday that calls for closing Pinewood and Riverside Central grade schools along with Mighty Oaks Early Learning School. A district official says it’s too early to tell how many staff members will be affected. More details are expected in the coming days.
