>>Winona Lawmaker Says “No” to Special Session for MN Flood Relief

(Winona, MN) – As officials continue assessing flood damage to public infrastructure, State Representative Gene Pelowski from Winona says a law the legislature passed earlier this year enables a total of 76 million dollars for the state’s Disaster Contingency Account without the need for a special session. He predicts there will not be a special session, and that “the $76 million will be enough.” Pelowski indicates that if anything more is needed, hopefully, the legislature will then be back in session next January. But state Senator Grant Hauschild (HOSS-child) from Hermantown says a special session limited to disaster assistance plus “a Bonding Bill to address critical infrastructure needs, including disaster mitigation, just makes sense.” Bonding bill negotiations between Democrats and Republicans fell apart in May during the closing hours of the 2024 regular session.

 

>>Craig to Introduce Legislation to Prevent Drug Trafficking on Social Media

(Hastings, MN) — Minnesota Congresswoman Angie Craig plans to introduce a bill in the U.S. House that will prevent drug trafficking on social media platforms. Senator Amy Klobuchar introduced the bill in the U.S. Senate last year. Craig and Klobuchar will talk about the need for passage of the measure today with Bridgette Norring of Hastings, who lost her son, Devin, to fentanyl poisoning. 19-year-old Devin died in April 2020 after purchasing a counterfeit pill on Snapchat that he thought was Percocet.

 

>>MN DNR Launches 2024 Operation Dry Water

(Undated) – If you’re planning to hit the water this long holiday weekend, plan ahead for a sober boat operator. DNR Lieutenant Eric Sullivan says, “If you are on the water from July 4th through July 6th, you will see more law enforcement personnel with zero tolerance for people boating under the influence. The bottom line is that drunk boating is drunk driving. Do not drink and boat. Do not drink and drive.” In addition to staying “dry” while on the water by avoiding drugs and alcohol, the DNR urges anyone on a boat to wear a life jacket. DNR law enforcement officers from across the state will participate in “Operation Dry Water.”

 

>>ProAct Autism Center Opens in Eagan for Participants with Sensory Needs

(Eagan, MN) – ProAct, an Eagan-based service center for people with intellectual, physical, communication, and sensory disabilities, has opened a new Autism Center. Manager Stephanie Osman says when discussing services that needed to be added, the facility saw a 66% referral rate for adults on the autism spectrum. She says, “There’s not much for folks when they graduate high school or they come out of transition. As adults, there’s not specific specialized services for our population.” Osman says this center specializes in providing many sensory needs involving sounds, lighting, texture, and movement.

 

>>Monticello Bridge Construction Will Cause Traffic Delays

(Monticello, MN) — A bridge construction project in Monticello will cause traffic headaches for drivers who cross the Mississippi River using the Highway 25 Bridge. Starting Monday, crews will begin a resurfacing project that will reduce the bridge to a single lane of traffic in each direction. The work zone will be from 3rd Street to the east of Sherburne County Road 11/14. Drivers should prepare for significant delays and are encouraged to use an alternate river crossing until the project is completed in late October. The Minnesota Department of Transportation says the project consists of resurfacing the bridge deck, replacing approach panels and joints, widening the sidewalks on both sides of the bridge, upgrading lighting, and replacing or repairing drainage structures.

 

>>Moondance Jam Cancels All National Touring Acts from this Year’s Festival

(Walker, MN) — Organizers of Moondance Jam have cut all national touring acts from this year’s lineup due to what they call “unforeseen circumstances based on the present economic climate.” They say the 30-year-old festival has not met the necessary financial thresholds to produce a festival with national touring attractions. That means Creed, Kansas, Foghat, and others will no longer appear at the festival on July 18–20. The event is being renamed “Camp Moondance” and will feature regional musical acts. Tickets purchased for Moondance Jam will be honored at Camp Moondance. They can also be exchanged for Deuces Wild Dueling Pianos on August 9th or Moondance Harvest Moon Festival on September 21. Anyone who uses their tickets this year will get four more general tickets at the gate to use this year or roll over to next year. Organizers say they will update the lineup for this year’s festival on the website and social media pages soon.

 

>>Minnesota Lynx Forward Carleton Named to Canadian Olympic Team

(Minneapolis, MN) — Minnesota Lynx forward Bridget Carleton will play for Canada at the Summer Olympics in Paris. Carleton was also a member of Team Canada for the 2020 Tokyo Games. She’s averaging 8.4 points and 3.7 rebounds per game for the Lynx this season. 27-year-old Carleton is from Chatham, Ontario, and played college basketball at Iowa State. Lynx All-Star forward Napheesa Collier will represent the U.S. at the Paris Olympics.

 

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