>>2023 Was a Record Year for MN Food Shelves, Officials Expect the Same for 2024
(Undated) — It was another busy year for Minnesota food shelves. Angelica Klebsch with Second Harvest Heartland says in 2023, “We saw seven million food shelf visits and that was already two million more than we saw in 2022 which was already two million more than we saw in 2021.” Klebsch adds food shelf volunteers are seeing people going to more than one food shelf a month. She says they are anticipating another record year of food shelf use in 2024.
>>Man Dies of Gunshot Wound in Hospital After Altercation
(Minneapolis, MN) — A 19-year-old man has died from a gunshot wound after being shot on Monday. 2nd Precinct Minneapolis Police officers responded to reports of a shooting around 3:45 p.m., finding the victim lying in a parking lot with a potentially life-threatening gunshot wound. The man was transported to HCMC where he later died. Preliminary information indicates a gun was discharged during a physical altercation. 20-year-old Barqadle Abdullahi Barqadle, who was at the scene and stated to be involved, was arrested and charged with murder.
>>Rochester Man Arrested During Drug Bust
(Rochester, MN) — Two people are in custody following a drug bust in Rochester. The Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office and Southeast Violent Crimes Enforcement executed a search warrant around 12:30 p.m. Friday at a local residence, where deputies found 1,000 grams of meth, 60 grams of cocaine, a small quantity of mushrooms, along with a handgun, rifle, and ammunition. 49-year-old Charles Tix of Rochester was arrested on controlled substance charges and another person in the residence was taken into custody on a local warrant.
>>Essentia Health’s Ex-Merger Partner Laying Off Workers in Wisconsin
(Marshfield, WI) — The Wisconsin health system that had its merger with Duluth-based Essentia Health canceled is laying off three percent of its workforce. Marshfield Clinic Health System sent an email to staff and personnel saying the layoffs are being made to help the organization achieve “financial turnaround” goals. When the merger was called off earlier this month, Essentia Health officials said Marshfield’s financial situation “was the primary factor in our decision.”
>>Warm Weather on Its Way After Brutal Cold Spell
(Chanhassen, MN) – After days of brutal cold, forecasters say a warm-up is likely beginning next weekend, with highs in the low 30s possible early next week. And Meteorologist Caleb Grunzke at the National Weather Service in Chanhassen says “Through… the end of January, it looks like we’ll be above — or favor to be above — normal temperatures.” Normal temps for this time of year are highs in the low 20s and lows in the upper single-digits.
>>MN Salvation Army Service Centers Opening as Warming Shelters
(Undated) — The Salvation Army is turning 25 of its Minnesota service centers into warming centers while temperatures and wind chills are zero or below. Northern Division spokesperson Dan Furry says, “Our mission is to help those who are in need, and so this is just one way we can help folks and administer to them and give them some assistance in that way.” Furry says the service centers are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
>>AHS Reminder to Watch Pets When They Go Outside During Winter
(Undated) — The Animal Humane Society’s Sarah Bhimani is issuing another reminder during the subzero cold in Minnesota, asking pet owners to watch their dogs when they go outside for a potty break. Bhimani says, “You wanna keep an eye on how they’re reacting. Are they shivering? Are they lifting their paws pretty frequently? If so, you want to take them right back inside.” She says dogs are susceptible to frostbite on their paws, tails, and ears. High temperatures in the single digits are expected today but wind chills will remain double digits below zero in most of the state.
