>>State Issues First Cannabis Business License
(St. Paul, MN) – Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management has issued the state’s first cannabis business license. Herb Quest, LLC, a microbusiness in Brook Park in northeastern Minnesota’s Pine County, will begin outdoor cannabis cultivation. OCM Interim Director Eric Taubel called it a major milestone, saying more than 600 other businesses are nearing final approval as Minnesota’s adult-use cannabis market takes shape. The agency also announced new opportunities for prospective business owners, including a fresh round for social equity verification, a new licensing window for cannabis testing labs, and the first chance for cannabis event organizers to apply.
>>Body Found Near Spicer
(Spicer, MN-) The search for a missing Spicer man has come to a sad conclusion. 29-year-old Phillip Iverson had been missing since Sunday, June 8th, and his family confirmed Tuesday night that his body was found in a wooded area west of Spicer in Kandiyohi County. No other details have been released, but his parents, Jamie and Laurel Iverson of New London, say it appears their son took his own life. Jamie says their hearts are broken, and they thank everyone for all the support they have received during this difficult time. They say, “All the shares and notes and visits have meant so much to us.”
>>Community Update and Healing Event Friday at Champlin Park High School
(Champlin, MN) — City officials from Champlin and Brooklyn Park are hosting a community update and healing event Friday at Champlin Park High School. Senator John Hoffman and his wife were shot in Champlin last Saturday, and former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were murdered in Brooklyn Park. Champlin Mayor Ryan Sabas (SAY’-biss) says they hope to create a space where the communities can come together to find comfort, build connections, and take meaningful steps toward healing.
>>Two Firefighters Hurt Battling Fergus Falls House Fire
(Fergus Falls, MN) — Two firefighters suffered minor injuries while battling a house fire in Fergus Falls Tuesday afternoon. Crews were called to the scene around 12:45 p.m. after a passerby reported smoke. When they arrived, smoke was coming from both the first and second-floor eaves. Division Chief Dan Lipson says firefighters searched the home, extinguished the flames, and assessed the damage to the area. The fire was contained to the back of the house, but smoke damage was found throughout the structure. Damage is estimated at $50,000. The home was unoccupied, and investigators say the fire was electrical in nature.
>> Blaze Credit Union Named Best-in-State by Forbes
(Falcon Heights, MN) — Falcon Heights-based Blaze Credit Union has earned a spot on Forbes’ 2025 Best-in-State Credit Unions list, for the third year in a row. The recognition is based on surveys from more than 26,000 U.S. consumers. It reviews top financial institutions for customer satisfaction, trust, digital tools, and more. Blaze CEO Dan Stoltz called the honor a “meaningful reminder” of the team’s commitment to improving lives. Blaze is one of 222 credit unions nationwide to be included on the list.
>>Minnesota State Fair Talent Contest Auditions Open
(St. Paul, MN) — Got talent? Registration is now open for the 52nd Annual Minnesota State Fair Amateur Talent Contest, sponsored by Chase. Auditions run from July 21st to 27th at the fairgrounds Bandshell. The deadline to register is 4 p.m. on July 23rd. Finalists will perform on the Grandstand stage for a shot at more than $20,000 in prize money across three age divisions. Everyone who auditions gets a commemorative T-shirt. Details and sign-up info are available at mnstatefair.org.
