>>Mixed Reaction to VP Harris Selecting Governor Walz as Running Mate
(St. Paul, MN) — Mostly partisan reaction to the news that Vice President Kamala Harris has selected Governor Tim Walz to be her running mate on the Democratic presidential ticket. DFL Chair Ken Martin said, “The entire country is about to see why their friends from Minnesota can’t stop bragging about Governor Walz.” House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth called Vice President Harris and Governor Walz “the most extreme ticket in recent presidential history.” Planned Parenthood praised the selection, saying, “Walz has proved to be a staunch champion for reproductive freedom.” The National Right to Life warned, “A Harris-Walz administration would push for the most extreme abortion agenda policies of any administration.” Walz is expected to appear with Harris tonight in Philadelphia.
>>Trump Campaign Rips Walz Pick for VP, Obama Praises Harris’ Decision
(Undated) — The Trump presidential campaign is attacking Governor Tim Walz after he was selected as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate. Trump’s press secretary called Walz a “West Coast wannabe who is a dangerously liberal extremist.” Former President Obama is cheering Harris for choosing Governor Walz as her VP pick. Obama said in a statement Walz’s signature is his “ability to talk like a human being and treat everyone with decency and respect.” Walz said on social media, “It is the honor of a lifetime” to join Vice President Harris on this campaign.
>>Person is Dead After Farmington House Fire
(Farmington, MN) — A person is dead after a house fire in Farmington overnight. Officials found the basement of the home on fire, and the flames jumped to the upper floor. A search of the house found one person dead inside. Officials believe no one else was in the home, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
>>Farm Bill a Hot Topic at MN Farmfest
(Redwood Falls, MN) – Farmfest kicks off today at Gilfillan Estate near Redwood Falls and likely to be a hot-button issue is the Farm Bill. Republican Congresswoman Michelle Fishbach says one concern is cuts to nutrition programs, including SNAP food assistance. She believes Democrats are trying to make it more of an issue than it is, saying, “It does not cut existing programs. What it does is prevent future bureaucracies from increasing the amount without Congressional approval.” Fishbach says the Republican’s proposal still includes cost of living increases. Farmfest runs through Thursday.
>>MN Ranks 3rd in Best State to Have a Baby, Wallethub Report
(Undated) – A new report from WalletHub comparing the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 31 key measures has found Minnesota to be the 3rd best state to have a baby. Analyst Cassandra Happe says we rank 4th in healthcare, 8th in baby friendliness, and excel in the family friendliness category, “which is actually based on another report we did on the best and worst states to raise a family. They ranked 3rd overall in that study, which we took into account here.” But where Minnesota struggles is cost, ranking 23rd, which Happe mainly attributes to pricey newborn screenings (49th in the nation). The full report can be found online. (https://wallethub.com/edu/best-and-worst-states-to-have-a-baby/6513)
>>Hennepin County Board to Vote on 49% Pay Raise for Themselves
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Hennepin County Board members will vote today on whether to give themselves a 49% pay raise from their current $122,000 salary. The measure was voted in by a committee last week in a 4-2 vote. Hennepin County houses double the population of Ramsey County, which approved a raise of 2.76% last month.
>>MDH Promotes National Immunization Awareness Month
(Undated) – The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is taking August to remind residents to get themselves and their kids ready for the respiratory fall disease season. Vaccine Supervisor Jessica Munroe says this includes updated RSV vaccines for infants, elderly, and pregnant people and a new COVID-19 vaccine, which “the CDC has recommended everyone six months and older to get.” Munroe says for kids going back to school, kindergarteners need Hep-B, D-TaP, Polio, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), and Shingles vaccines, while 7th graders need a T-dap booster and Meningitis shot.
>>Wolves ‘Edwards, USA Play Brazil in Olympic Quarterfinals in Paris
(Paris, FR) — Anthony Edwards and Team USA play Brazil this afternoon in the quarterfinals of the Summer Olympics in Paris. The Minnesota Timberwolves all-star guard led the U.S. with 26 points in Saturday’s 104-83 win over Puerto Rico. Edwards also had three rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a highlight reel dunk. The Americans have won four straight Olympic gold medals in men’s basketball.
