>>Longtime State Representative Dies
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota lawmakers are remembering longtime state Representative Mary Murphy of Duluth. House Speaker Melissa Hortman says Murphy passed away on Christmas Day after suffering a stroke last week. Murphy was the longest-serving female representative in state history. Murphy represented the Duluth area from 1976 through 2022. House Speaker Melissa Hortman says Murphy was 85 years old.
>>Child Dies on Christmas Day
(St. Paul, MN) — Drugs may have played a role in the death of a child on Christmas Day in St. Paul. When police arrived, they found the 18-month-old unresponsive. The child was pronounced dead at Regions Hospital. The child’s parents a 38-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of 2nd-degree manslaughter.
>>Fire Destroys Wright County Auto Repair Shop on Christmas
(Waverly, MN) — An auto repair shop is Waverly is considered a total loss after a Christmas Day fire. The Wright County Sheriff’s Office says E-G Autoworks was fully engulfed in flames when crews arrived Wednesday morning. Firefighters from Waverly, Montrose, Howard Lake, Cokato, and Delano helped battle the fire. Deputies say the fire spread throughout the building, and it was destroyed. No injuries were reported. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is helping local investigators determine the cause.
>>AmeriCorps Ranks MN Third For Volunteering In U.S.
(Undated) According to AmeriCorps, Minnesota ranks among the top U.S. states for volunteering, which recently assessed volunteer participation using U.S. Census data. In 2023, over 1.8 million Minnesotans engaged in volunteer activities, resulting in a volunteer rate of 40.3 percent. This places Minnesota third in the nation. Utah holds the top spot with a volunteer rate of 46.6 percent.
>>MN Exports Surge In Third Quarter
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota is witnessing substantial growth in its exports to other countries. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development reported that exports rose to $6.7 billion during the months of July, August, and September. This marks an 11 percent increase compared to the same quarter last year. Optical and medical services remain the state’s largest export categories, accounting for over $1.1 billion.
>>New Cross-Country Ski Race To Be Held In Lutsen
(Lutsen, MN) — Skiers who enjoy cross-country racing are invited to participate in a new competition along the north shore of Lake Superior. The Ski North Ultra will occur in March, starting and ending at Cascade River State Park near Lutsen. The event features three distance categories, with a 100-kilometer option that is one of the longest cross-country ski races in the region. For more information about the race, head online to the Visit Cook County website.
>>Target Kicks Off Holiday Clearance Event
(Minneapolis, MN) — Target is kicking off its annual holiday clearance event today (Thurs) in stores and online. The Minnesota-based retailer offers 50 percent off clothing, shoes, jewelry, toys, sporting goods, bikes, and holiday decor. Holiday candy is 30 percent off. Members of the Target Circle Program can save an extra five percent if they pay with the Target Circle Card. Officials are also hoping shoppers use their new holiday gift cards.
