>>Twin Cities Nurses Reach a Deal with Hospital Executives
(Duluth, MN) — After nearly four months of tough negotiations, nurses in the Twin Cities Metro area have reached a tentative agreement with hospital executives. The nurses—members of the Minnesota Nurses Association—say they continued to provide high-quality care throughout the talks, even as tensions rose at the bargaining table. The deal also resolves unfair labor practice charges, thereby avoiding a planned strike. But the fight isn’t over. Nurses in Duluth are preparing to go on an unfair labor practice strike, starting July 8th, as they continue to call on employers to bargain in good faith. Advanced Practice Providers will join the strike on July 10th.
>>AG Warns of Summer Pest-Control Scams
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is warning residents to be cautious of door-to-door pest-control scams. He says some scammers use high-pressure tactics to sell fake services, add hidden fees, or lock people into unwanted contracts. Ellison urges Minnesotans to trust their gut—if something feels off, say no and shut it down. And if you do get scammed, don’t stay silent—report it to his office.
>>St. Louis County Opening Temporary Wild Fire Disposal Site
(Brimson, MN) — St. Louis County is opening a temporary wildfire debris disposal site in Brimson to help residents affected by recent fires. Only wildfire-related debris will be accepted. That includes burned wood, roofing, brick, concrete, and other damaged materials. Residents can also drop off scrap metal, electronics, tires, and household hazardous waste; however, these items must be properly separated. All materials will be accepted free of charge. Starting July 7th (Mon), the site at the old County garage on Highway 44 will be open Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s expected to stay open through the end of July, or longer if needed.
>>Hinckley Man Killed in Pine County Pickup Crash
(Hinckley, MN) — A man from Hinckley is dead and several people are injured after two pickup trucks collided Wednesday afternoon in Pine County. The State Patrol says a pickup driven by 40-year-old Cory Olson of Cambridge failed to obey a stop sign on Highway 48 and crashed into a truck driven by 63-year-old Kameron Ellis. The report says Ellis died at the scene. Olson and two passengers in his truck had non-life-threatening injuries, and one man is hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. The roadway was dry at the time.
>>Fiery Crash Sends One Woman to the Hospital
(Lewiston, MN) — A southeast Minnesota woman was hospitalized after a fiery rollover crash Wednesday afternoon. The single-vehicle accident happened shortly after 2 p.m. north of Rushford. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the northbound SUV left the two-lane highway after the driver lost control. The vehicle rolled onto its roof and became fully engulfed in flames. 60-year-old Sandra Kay Kauphusman of Winona was the only person in the car. She was airlifted to St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester with non-life-threatening injuries.
>>2 Men Dead, 1 Critical Injured in St. Cloud Crash
(St. Cloud, MN) — Two men are dead and another critically injured after a crash in St. Cloud Wednesday night. Police say just before midnight, an officer saw a northbound pickup speeding. When approaching the truck during a traffic stop, the driver threw a handgun out the window and sped off. Shortly after, dispatch responded to a crash nearby in which the pickup was involved. Investigators say the pickup was speeding when it broadsided a car going left, killing the two men inside it. The victims, both of St. Cloud, include a fifty-nine-year-old driver and a forty-five-year-old passenger. The pickup driver, a twenty-six-year-old man from Sauk Rapids, was brought to St. Cloud Hospital in critical condition.
>>Minneapolis NARCAN Dispensing Machine Anniversary
(Minneapolis, MN) — One year ago today, Minneapolis installed its first NARCAN vending machine at Fire Station 21 as part of a pilot program. A second machine followed this spring at Fire Station 14 on the Northside. Together, the two machines have now dispensed more than 2,200 boxes of the life-saving overdose-reversal drug. Mayor Jacob Frey says, “This machine is saving lives—and for many, it’s the first step on the road to recovery. This is what resident-first innovation looks like.” The vending machines are located in neighborhoods hit hardest by substance use and overdoses. They’re free to the public, no questions asked.
>>Iconic Palmer’s Bar to Close After Almost 120 Years
(Minneapolis, MN) — After serving beer in Minneapolis for nearly one hundred twenty years, Palmer’s Bar is set to close. The bar announced on social media Wednesday night that the West Bank institution will serve its final drinks on September 14th and asked residents to “make it a last summer to remember.” Palmer’s has been named one of America’s Best Bars in Esquire Magazine multiple times since opening in 1906.
>>Minnesota Lynx and Washington Mystics Tip Off at Target Center
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Lynx are back on their home court tonight (Fri) to face the Washington Mystics. Minnesota lost to Indiana 74-59 in the W-B-N-A Commissioner’s Cup championship Tuesday night, which doesn’t count in the league standings. The 8-and-9 Mystics beat the 14-and-2 Lynx 68-64 last Tuesday in Washington, D.C. Minnesota guard Karlie Samuelson is out with an injured foot.
