>>Twin Cities PBS Laying off 25 Employees Due to Federal Budget Cuts
(St. Paul, MN) — Twin Cities P-B-S station T-P-T is laying off about two dozen employees. T-P-T is facing a 10 percent budget cut after Congress rescinded $1.1 billion already approved for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The move effectively defunded 15 hundred local public radio and TV stations. Officials say the budget cuts could also force changes at public TV stations in Bemidji, Duluth, Granite Falls, and Austin.
>>OHE Awards 2.9 To Advance Spinal Cord and Traumatic Brain Injury Research
(St. Paul, MN) — More than 300,000 Americans live with spinal cord injuries, and over five million live with the long-term effects of traumatic brain injuries. To support research into new treatments, Minnesota’s Office of Higher Education has awarded $2.9 million in SCI-TBI research grants to 15 projects across the state. Commissioner Dennis Olson says Minnesota is home to world-class medical research, and these grants are an investment in the scientists working to improve lives through innovation and rehabilitation.
>>Weekly Drought Update
(Undated) — Most of Minnesota has seen a good amount of rain this summer, but dry conditions are still holding on in the far northwestern corner of the state. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor update shows 12 percent of Minnesota is still Abnormally Dry — that’s down from 26 percent last week. Moderate Drought conditions remain steady at 4 percent, and Severe Drought has now dropped to zero for the first time in weeks. The update reflects rainfall totals through Tuesday morning, so any rain that fell on Wednesday isn’t included just yet.
>>Pan Continental Curling Championships Coming to Minnesota
(Undated) — The 2025 Pan Continental Curling Championships are coming to Minnesota’s Iron Range — and for the first time, the event will be held in the United States. From October 19th to the 26th, 40 teams from 25 countries will compete at Curl Mesabi and the Iron Trail Motors Event Center. U.S. Steel is now the event’s title sponsor, backing the championships with a $100,000 donation. Governor Walz says Minnesota’s long love of winter sports and nearly 50 curling clubs make the state a perfect host. He also thanked U.S. Steel for its $100,000 sponsorship, calling it a sign of the Iron Range’s strong mix of tradition, innovation, and opportunity.
>>Heavy Rainfall Wednesday in Northern and Central Minnesota
(Duluth, MN) — Parts of central and northern Minnesota are soaked from heavy rainfall during Wednesday’s thunderstorms. Marble in Itasca County received 4.95 inches, while Avon in Stearns County had 4.6 inches. Three to four inches of rain led to street flooding in Albany. Hibbing reported 3.9 inches, Pine City and Ely received 3.7 inches, Walker had 2.6 inches, and Carlton County saw about two inches. There was also flash flooding south of Mankato in Blue Earth County, and a trained spotter reported a funnel cloud near Janesville in Waseca County.
>>The Wildcat Sanctuary in Sandstone Rescues 3 Lions Cubs from Canada
(Sandstone, MN) — The latest rescues at the Wildcat Sanctuary in Sandstone are three lion cubs from Canada. Officials say it took eight months of intense planning and complicated logistics to transport the lions to Minnesota. One is a lone orphaned cub named Mango. The Wildcat Sanctuary and two other organizations rescued a total of seven lions from a roadside zoo in Canada, and Mango’s mother died from complications following labor. Mango is undergoing surgery next week to repair a genetic defect. The sanctuary is asking for donations to help with her care.
>>Highway 5 to Close in Eden Prairie
(Roseville, MN) – Another primary road closure is happening this weekend, but this time in the southwest metro of the Twin Cities. MNDot says both directions of Highway 5 will be closed between Eden Prairie Road and Mitchell Road in Eden Prairie from 10 p.m. Friday until Monday at 5 a.m. Detours will be posted, and drivers are encouraged to use Highways 41 and 212. Adding to the mess, crews have reduced Highway 212 and Highway 5 down to one lane through September to repair concrete pavement. Motorists should expect delays until that project is completed.
