>>Cargill Announces Thousands of Layoffs
(Minnetonka, MN) — Cargill is planning to lay off about five percent of its workforce. The Minnesota-based company is the world’s largest ag commodity trader, employing more than 160 thousand people worldwide. An estimated 8,000 layoffs will occur across the board. Reports indicate about 475 in-person and remote jobs will be cut at the company’s Minnetonka headquarters. Affected workers will be notified this week, and terminations will begin in February. In a statement, Cargill says the changes are part of a long-term strategy set earlier this year.
>>Two Juveniles Resuced on Thin Ice
(Rochester, MN) — Two juveniles were rescued after becoming stranded on thin ice near Rochester Monday night. According to Olmsted County Sheriff Tim Parkin, first responders were dispatched to the Silver Creek Reservoir, east of Rochester, around 8 p.m. The boys were hauling gear in a sled about 150 yards from shore when they heard the ice around them begin to crack. No injuries were reported. Monday night’s rescue was one of multiple recent incidents involving thin ice in Minnesota.
>>Search Continues for Man in Cannon Falls
(Cannon Falls, MN) — Search efforts are underway for a man who vanished in the woods while walking his dog in southeast Minnesota. A call for help came in just after 8 p.m. near the eastern edge of Cannon Falls near the Cannon River. Authorities say the missing man is 60 years old. His name has not been released.
>>Woman Dies in Robbinsdale Apartment Fire
(Robbinsdale, MN) — A woman is Robbinsdale’s first fire fatality this year. Officials responded to an apartment fire report around 5:15 this morning (TUES). On arrival, police were met with dense black smoke and no response when calling for anyone in the affected apartment. The building was evacuated. Fire crews arrived and rescued a woman from the apartment, but despite lifesaving aid, she died at the scene. The fire was contained in one apartment. The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office is helping determine the cause of the fire.
>>Klobuchar Set to Become 3rd Ranking Democrat in US Senate
(Washington, DC) — Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar is expected to become the third-ranking Democrat in the U-S Senate. Senate Democrats are voting today (Tues) on their minority leadership team after losing the majority in the November election. New York Senator Chuck Schumer will likely remain the top Democrat in the caucus, and Dick Durbin of Illinois will be number two. Klobuchar is expected to replace retiring Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow as the number three Democrat in the chamber.
>>It’s a No-Go for Backyard Chickens in St. Cloud
(St. Cloud, MN) — Allowing St. Cloud residents to have backyard chickens has flown the coop. During its meeting Monday night, the city council held a public hearing on the issue, voting 5-1 against it. The proposed ordinance would have required an annual permit to keep up to four hens with no roosters. A similar push to allow backyard chickens also failed back in 2014.
