>>State GOP Leaders Say MN is “Dead Heat” Between Biden, Trump
(Undated) – The latest Minnesota Poll finds President Biden with a slight lead over former President Donald Trump, boosted mainly by Biden’s massive lead in the central metro counties of Hennepin and Ramsey. Carleton College analyst Steven Schier says, “Joe Biden is probably leading just over three-to-one in Hennepin and Ramsey counties, but… Donald Trump leads in the entire rest of the state: Two very different states; two Minnesotas.” Schier says there’s a significant gender and education gap that’s been showing up in polls throughout the year: college-educated and above generally prefer Biden, while high-school-educated prefer Trump, and women are much more likely than men to support Biden.
>>Homeless Remembrance Service Held In Rochester
(Rochester, MN) — Residents of Rochester held a memorial service outside the civic center theater to honor members of the homeless community who passed away in the past year. Local faith leaders led the service, where several dozen people gathered. The names of 12 individuals were read out loud, although organizers mentioned that the actual number of deaths is likely higher due to unreported cases. The lead pastor of Christ United Methodist Church stated that the event aims to acknowledge the value of every life and ensure everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
>>Grand Opening Wednesday Celebrating Paynesville Hospital Renovations
(Paynesville, MN) — CentraCare is holding a grand opening for the newly renovated hospital in Paynesville. The final phase of CentraCare-Paynesville Hospital is complete, and the community is invited to come for tours, giveaways, and refreshments. It will be held tomorrow from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Over the past two years, CentraCare has been updating the current hospital with new amenities and adding additional space.
>>Adopted People in MN Can Access Birth Records in July
(St. Paul, MN) – Adopted people who were born in Minnesota will have access to their original birth records next month under a new law. State Registrar Molly Crawford says you can fill out a request form and send it to the Minnesota Department of Health Office of Vital Records. Once done, officials can issue the adoptee under the law a non-certified copy of that original birth record, giving access to birth parent names, the adoptee’s name, and date and place of birth. There is a $40 fee to receive birth records. Crawford says parents who have placed a child up for adoption can fill out a preference form to indicate whether they want contact with the adopted person.
>>USDA Weekly Crop Update
(Undated) — Excessive soil moisture continues to slow fieldwork in Minnesota. USDA’s latest weekly crop report shows there were just three days suitable for planting, cutting hay, and spraying statewide. Corn is 96% planted, and 84% emerged. 74% of the crop is rated in good to excellent condition. Soybean planting is 87% complete, more than a week behind last year and three days behind the five-year average. The condition rating is 71% good to excellent. Spring wheat, barley, and oat planting are nearly finished, with crop condition ratings in the mid to upper 70s. The condition rating for sugarbeets has plummeted recently, down to 67% good to excellent as of Sunday. And the first cutting of alfalfa hay is 44% done.
>>Twins Recall Varland from St. Paul to Face Rockies at Target Field
(Minneapolis, MN) — Minnesota native Louie Varland will be the starting pitcher for the Twins tonight against the Colorado Rockies at Target Field. The club recalled the right-hander from Triple-A St. Paul today. Varland made the Twins Opening Day roster but went 0-and-4 in four starts with a 9.18 ERA. He’s had some success out of the Twins bullpen as a middle reliever. Varland graduated from North High School in North St. Paul and played college baseball at Concordia University.
