>>MPCA Issues Air Quality Alert for Northwestern Minnesota Counties
(St. Paul, MN) — An air quality alert is in effect for 17 counties in northwest Minnesota due to wildfire smoke from Saskatchewan, Canada. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says the alert runs through 10 am Wednesday. M-P-C-A officials say the air quality is expected to reach the orange level, which is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. The D-N-R will not be issuing burn permits to reduce air pollutants in the area. The alert is for Becker, Beltrami, Clay, Clearwater, Hubbard, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, Roseau, Wadena, and Wilkin counties.
>>Walz To Campaign In Twin Ports This Weekend
(Duluth, MN) — Governor Tim Walz is scheduled to visit northern Minnesota this weekend. The Democratic vice-presidential candidate plans to campaign in the Twin Ports on Saturday, with stops in Superior before crossing into Minnesota to appear in Duluth. The exact locations and times of the campaign stops have not been announced.
>>Arbitration Panel Sides with Essentia Health
(Fosston, MN) — An arbitration panel has ruled in favor of Essentia Health in a dispute with the city of Fosston. Essentia has run the hospital for the past 15 years. The city sought to end its agreement with the healthcare provider after it decided to close labor and delivery services in 2022, forcing people to drive to Grand Forks and other hospitals. Essentia says the decision will allow it to continue to operate the hospital, clinic, assisted living, and long-term care facilities in Fosston, along with clinics in Bagley and Oklee(OAK-lee). The original agreement was signed in 2009.
>>Winona Couple Donates $50M to Mayo Clinic’s Cancer Center
(Rochester, MN) –Stephen and Barbara Slaggie, a Winona couple, have donated $50 million to Mayo Clinic’s Comprehensive Cancer Center. Stephen says this comes from experience; as a cancer survivor himself, he “knows firsthand the anxiety of seeking prompt, exceptional care.” Mayo Clinic officials say the fund will enhance online platforms and digital tools to bring cancer healthcare anywhere and expand access to clinical trials.
>>Man Fatally Shot Outside St. Paul Strip Mall Tobacco Store
(St. Paul, MN) — A man is dead after a shooting outside a strip mall tobacco store in St. Paul Tuesday. Officers responded to reports of a shooting around 12:30 p.m., finding a man lying outside the shop with a gunshot wound to the torso. Despite life-saving aid, the man died on the way to the hospital. A suspect was arrested a few blocks away from the scene.
>>Minnesota Vikings Give Defensive Lineman Phillips a 2-Year Extension
(Eagan, MN) — Vikings defensive tackle Harrison Phillips will play at least two more seasons in Minnesota. The Purple and Phillips agreed to a two-year contract extension worth a reported 19 million dollars. This is the third season in Minnesota for 28-year-old Phillips. He had a sack and five tackles in Sunday’s season-opening win over the Giants. Phillips played his first four seasons in Buffalo.
