>>Defense Testimony Wraps Up in Senator Mitchell’s Trial
(Detroit Lakes, MN) — Closing arguments are underway in the burglary trial of state Senator Nicole Mitchell in Becker County. She’s charged with an April 2024 break-in at her stepmother’s home in Detroit Lakes. Her aunt, Cindy Markey, told the court this morning that Nicole and her stepmother’s relationship has never been good. Markey said she believed that Nicole loved Carol, and was trying to help her after her father’s death. Following closing arguments, the jury will begin deliberations.
>>2 People Killed in Northeast Minnesota House Fire near Cook
(Beatty Township, MN) — Authorities in northeastern Minnesota are investigating a fire near Cook that left two people dead. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says the home in Beatty Township was completely engulfed in flames Thursday night when crews arrived. Deputies say firefighters found two people dead inside in the house. The victims haven’t been identified. The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office is working with local investigators to determine the cause of the fire.
>>Pedestrian Dies, Driver Arrested in Mahnomen County Crash
(Mahnomen, MN) — A pedestrian is dead and a driver is in custody after a crash this morning (Fri) near Mahnomen in northwest Minnesota. The Mahnomen County Sheriff’s Office says a man was found lying the ditch along Highway 59 and it appeared he had been struck by a car. Deputies say the vehicle was located north of the scene and the driver was identified and is in custody. The Minnesota State Patrol and White Earth Police Department are helping with the investigation.
>>Missing Wadena Man Found Dead in 240-Foot Tower
(Wadena, MN) — The Wadena County Sheriff’s Office says the body of a missing man was found in a tower 240 feet above the ground in Rockwood Township. Deputies received a report Wednesday of a vehicle matching the description of the one driven by 30-year-old Samuel Waln. The Minnesota Task Force 1 Search and Rescue Team responded and recovered his body. Waln’s remains were sent to the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy and official identification. He was last seen July 12th on Highway 10 in Wadena.
>>Mosquito Treatments Continue in Twin Cities
(Twin Cities, MN) — The Metropolitan Mosquito Control District will be treating wetlands for mosquitoes today and tomorrow across seven counties of the Twin Cities. The treatments will be dropped by helicopter. After heavy rainfall earlier this week, M-M-C-D staff members found more than 11,000 acres of wetlands with active mosquito larvae. Officials say the timing of these treatments will reduce the amount of adult mosquitoes that emerge from the water in trhe coming days. If you’d like more information, you can check the M-M-C-D website for daily updates.
>>MPCA Looking for Volunteers for GreenCorps Program
(Undated) — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is looking for volunteers who want to spend a year making a difference by working on environmental issues to apply for the Minnesota GreenCorps program. This AmeriCorps program will match up to 58 members to host sites across Minnesota for the upcoming 2025-2026 program year. You can learn more about this opportunity including program updates and changes on the M-P-C-A website.
>>Twins Return from All-Star Break for Series at Colorado
(Denver, CO) — The Minnesota Twins return from the All-Star break tonight (Fri 7:40pm) and open a three-game series at the Colorado Rockies. The Twins are in second place in the American League Central at 47-and-49, and four games out of the final A-L Wild Card spot. Right-hander Chris Paddack is scheduled to start for Minnesota in the opener. Kyle Freeland is the starting pitcher for the 22-and-74 Rockies.
