>>Storm Damage Report
(Chanhassen, MN) — National Weather Service reports show overnight storms caused scattered damage across Minnesota, with the heaviest impacts in the Twin Cities East Metro. Strong straight-line winds brought down trees, branches, and power lines, leading to widespread outages. Outstate, damage reports stretched across western, central, and east-central Minnesota, with downed trees and blocked roads among the most common issues. No tornadoes have been confirmed, and the National Weather Service says additional damage reports could come in as surveys continue.
>>Xcel Crews Working to Restore Power
(Minneapolis, MN) — Xcel Energy crews are working to restore power after severe storms swept across Minnesota early this (wed) morning. Heavy rain, lightning, and strong winds knocked out electricity to about 40,000 customers statewide, with the hardest-hit areas in the east metro of the Twin Cities. About 275 crews are in the field, with additional teams expected to assist this afternoon. Xcel says crews first address public safety hazards, including downed power lines, before restoring service to as many customers as possible. Customers without power are encouraged to check for damage to their home’s electric service connection, as more storms are expected later today.
>>New Numbers Show Operation Metro Surge Cost Minneapolis Nearly $700 Million in Economic Damage
(Minneapolis) – The City of Minneapolis now says Operation Metro Surge Caused Nearly $700 million in lost economic activity. The updated Impact Assessment totaled up the losses from businesses closing or cutting hours, millions in lost wages, and trauma caused to neighbors by staying in their homes. City officials say these updated numbers will serve as a blueprint to guide the city’s investment of millions of dollars in relief and assistance for businesses and neighborhoods, helping them recover.
>>Attorney General Ellison Secures Settlement with GS Labs Regarding COVID-19 Tests
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison says more than $442,000 will be returned to Minnesotans as part of a nearly $4.9 million multistate settlement with GS Labs over its COVID-19 testing practices during the pandemic. The settlement resolves claims that the company overcharged patients, improperly added administrative fees, and failed to deliver test results within the promised timeframe. Ellison says the agreement holds what he calls “pandemic profiteers” accountable. Consumers who believe they may be eligible for restitution can verify their information through a claims process set up by the company.
>>Two Teens Jailed Following Shooting at Rochester Mall Parking Lot
(Rochester, MN) – Two 17-year-old boys are in juvenile detention following a shooting in a Rochester mall parking lot. Police say a fight escalated into gunfire on Tuesday night outside the Crossroads shopping center. No one was injured, and everyone involved fled the scene. Officers say both suspects were arrested during an early morning traffic stop. They were taken to the East Central Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Anoka County.
>>MDA Accepting Applications for Green Fertilizer Grants
(St. Paul, MN) – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for the Green Fertilizer Grant Program. Green fertilizers are nitrogen-based fertilizers produced from water, air, and renewable energy and have significant climate and sustainability benefits compared to fossil-fuel-derived nitrogen-based fertilizers. This program supports agricultural and rural electric cooperatives registered as 308A or 308B within the state of Minnesota. The MDA says 3.8 million dollars will be available for eligible applicants.
>>Wisconsin Woman Killed in Chisago County Crash
(Chisago City, MN) — The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating a head-on crash in Chisago County that left one driver dead and the other seriously injured. Troopers say a pickup driven by 75-year-old Rebecca Freedom of St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, crossed the centerline on Highway 8 and collided with an S-U-V driven by 65-year-old Jane Martins of Eagan. Freedom died at the scene last night. Martins suffered life-threatening injuries.
>>Minnesota Wild Sign Forward McCarron to 6-Year Contract
(St. Paul, MN) — Six-foot-six-inch forward Michael McCarron is returning to the Minnesota Wild on a six-year, 20-million-dollar contract. The Wild acquired McCarron in a trade with Nashville in March. He had five points in 20 regular-season games for Minnesota and added two goals and two assists in the playoffs. McCarron has 381 games of N-H-L experience after being drafted in the first round in 2013 by Montreal.
