>>Motorcyclist Dead After Crashing Into Construction Equipment on I-90

(Luverne, MN) — A man is dead after his motorcycle crashed into construction equipment on I-90 Tuesday. State Patrol responded to the crash just 12 miles east of the MN/SD border near Luverne around 10:30 a.m. A road grader working in the construction zone was struck by a westbound motorcycle. The cycle operator, 41-year-old David Houck of Durham, NC, was pronounced dead at the scene. Houck did wear a helmet, and it’s unknown if alcohol was a factor. The construction worker from Rushmore, 31-year-old Brandon Feeken, was unharmed. 

 

>>Bloods Gang Member Sentenced to 46 Months for Illegal Gun Possession 

(St. Paul, MN) — Prosecutors say a known member of the Bloods street gang in Minneapolis will serve nearly four years in federal prison for illegally possessing four guns. The U.S. Attorney’s Office says 48-year-old Obuatawan “Bone” Holt was caught with four semi-automatic pistols in November of 2021 about three months after his federal supervised release expired. Holt has multiple felony convictions and is prohibited from possessing guns or ammunition. He pleaded guilty in February. 

 

>>Cold Spring Man Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison for Sexually Assaulting Minor Under 13

(St. Cloud, MN) — A Cold Spring man has been sentenced to three years in prison for sexually assaulting a minor. 42-year-old Hector Acosta pleaded guilty to a felony charge of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim under 13 years old. Court records say between 2013 and 2015, when Acosta and the victim lived together, Acosta inappropriately touched her several times when she was as young as 10 years old.

 

>>St. Paul Native Suni Lee Wins Gold Medal in Paris Olympics

St. Paul native Suni Lee helped Team USA win a gold medal in the women’s gymnastics team competition for the first time since 2016. Lee stood out in the bars, balance beam, and floor exercise. She says, “We all knew what the job was once we got in here. It was not much, but we all had it in the back of our minds.” Lee won an individual gold medal in 2021 and has a chance to do that again on Thursday in the all-around competition.

 

>>MN Political Analyst Notes ‘Too Much’ Hype Over VP Selection

(Undated) – Some political analysts think there is too much hype over the selection of the running mate on a U.S. presidential ticket. Hamline University Professor David Schultz says he did an article eight years ago titled “The myth of favorite son and daughter vice presidents.” Schultz says, “When looking at the question of if putting a vice presidential candidate on the ticket from a particular state enhances the ability to win that state – and there’s absolutely no evidence for that whatsoever. It’s one of these great myths.” With the exception of Sarah Palin in ’08, Schultz says there’s almost no indication the VP pick has had a significant impact on voting in a presidential election. 

 

>>Walz Touts WalletHub Ranking Minnesota Best State in Nation for Health Care 

(St. Paul, MN) – Governor Tim Walz is touting Minnesota’s number-one ranking in WalletHub’s ‘Best & Worst States for Health Care 2024’ report. Minnesota was ranked the top state for the second straight year. Walz says in a statement, “From lowering prescription drug costs to helping Minnesotans access affordable health insurance, we are proud of the work we’ve done to make high-quality health care affordable and accessible for Minnesotans.” The rankings are based on 44 key indicators and Minnesota was second in the U.S. for cost and sixth for access to health care. 

 

>>MN Sees 11% in Moving Costs, National Rise 

(Undated) – Minnesota has placed the 6th highest in the nation to see an increase in a recent study when it comes to hiring movers. HireAHelper Consumer Wellness Advocate Miranda Marquit says, “The average cost of a move overall nationally was about 2%, whereas in Minnesota it went up 11%.” Marquit says the nationwide average cost of moving in 2024 is projected to be the highest on records at $420.

 

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