>>Ag Committee Unveils $172 Million Budget
(St. Paul, MN) – The House Agriculture Committee has unveiled its budget plan for the next biennium. It meets the targets presented by House leadership. The budget calls for $172 million from the general fund. That is an increase of $17 million from their current budget. The funding includes $148 million to the Department of Agriculture, $13.5 million to the Board of Animal Health, and $4 million that the governor requested to prevent the spread of bird flu in the state. The Ag Committee will hold testimony and a vote on the budget tomorrow during its hearing.
>>DFL House Bill Would Allow for Scrutiny for Large Data Center Water Usage
(St. Paul, MN) — Large data centers in Minnesota would face more scrutiny for their water usage by the Department of Natural Resources under a DFL House bill. Rep. Peter Fischer of Maplewood sponsors the legislation and says Minnesota is seeing more data centers entering a community and finding out the amount of water they might need isn’t available. Minnesota Chamber of Commerce energy policy director Michelle Benson says the increased regulations would harm economic growth because data centers would look elsewhere to set up shop. The bill would impose extra scrutiny for proposed data centers anticipated to consume more than 100 million gallons of water per year or 250,000 gallons per day.
>>Southeastern Minnesota Man Charged with Sexual Abuse of Minor
(Charfield, MN) — A southeastern Minnesota man, 40-year-old Theodore Peters of Chatfield, has been charged with second-degree criminal sexual conduct for allegedly abusing a young girl. The abuse was reported to police last October by a family member after the victim confided in her. The girl stated that the abuse began when she was between five and seven years old and escalated from monthly to daily occurrences. Peters has been charged by summons, and his first court appearance is yet to be scheduled.
>>Stop Arm Camera Grants Awarded to 18 Schools & Bus Companies
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety awards 1.3 million dollars in Stop Arm Camera grants to 18 school districts and bus companies. The state reimburses schools and transportation providers for purchasing and installing stop arm camera systems. The goal is to catch drivers who fail to stop when a school bus stop arm is extended and its lights are flashing. Officials say more than 21-hundred citations were issued to dangerous drivers in the state last year.
>>Man’s Death Under Investigation in North Mankato
(North Mankato, MN) — Police in North Mankato are investigating the weekend death of a Winnebago man. Officers were called to an apartment Saturday morning for the report of an unconscious man who was not breathing. C-P-R and Narcan were administered, but 34-year-old Matthew Holbrook died at the scene. Investigators say there were signs of drug use in the apartment.
>>1 Dead, 1 Critically Injured in Shakopee Crash
(Shakopee, MN) — One person is dead and another is critically injured after a crash in Shakopee on Monday. Police responded to County Road 101, which closed eastbound traffic for several hours. The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating. No other information is available.
>>St. Cloud Voters to Decide on $65M in Upgrades at Apollo High School
(St. Cloud, MN) — Residents of St. Cloud are set to vote today on proposals to improve facilities within the local school district. Question One on the ballot requests approval to spend $50 million to add a secure, controlled entrance at Apollo High School. Question Two seeks authorization for $15 million to build a multi-purpose facility. According to school officials, Question One must pass for Question Two to be approved. If both questions are approved, construction is slated to begin next spring and be completed by summer 2028.
>>Atmosphere, Cypress Hill to Play State Fair Music-On-A-Stick Show
(Falcon Heights, MN) — This year’s Music-On-A-Stick Show at the State Fair is being billed as Atmosphere & Friends: Minnesota. The hip-hop duo from Minneapolis is headlining the Grandstand concert on Saturday, August 23rd. Rap legends Cypress Hill, The Pharcyde, Lupe Fiasco, and D-J Abilities are also playing that night. Tickets for Atmosphere & Friends at the State Fair go on sale Friday morning through E-Tix.
