>>2 Killed in Kandiyohi County Crash near Spicer
(Green Lake Township, MN) — Authorities in Kandiyohi County are investigating a crash Thursday night near Spicer that left two people dead. The report says a pickup driven by a 17-year-old boy collided with an SUV that failed to stop at a stop sign at an intersection in Green Lake Township. Sheriff’s deputies say two occupants in the SUV died in the crash. The victims haven’t been identified.
>>Protestors Rally as Former Israeli Prime Minister Bennett Speaks in Minneapolis
(Minneapolis, MN) – Protesters rallied outside as former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett spoke in Minneapolis last night at the annual dinner of conservative think tank, Center of the American Experiment. Sana Wazwaz with the Free Palestine Coalition calls Bennett a “perpetrator and enabler” of genocide against the Palestinian people, noting, “During his reign as the prime minister of Israel, he has enabled the growth of settlements, enabled the detainment of prisoners, the military occupation, the expanded home demolitions.” Bennett called on Minnesotans to continue standing up for Israel and defended his country’s actions in the war in Gaza. Minneapolis police say they arrested five pro-Palestinian protesters. The former Israeli prime minister received a standing ovation from the Center of the American Experiment’s crowd.
>>MN BAH Reminds Farmers to Prioritize Biosecurity in Dairy Herds
(Benton County, MN) – The Minnesota Board of Animal Health is reminding farmers to take biosecurity measures to keep their animals safe after Minnesota confirmed its first case of HPAI, or bird flu, in a dairy herd in Benton County. BAH Spokesperson Michael Crusan says biosecurity measures can be as simple as “keeping their boots clean, using different footwear when going into the barn, having what’s called a line of separation, so that they’re not bringing potential germs from the outside world into those areas where the animals are kept.” Crusan advocates that dairy farmers monitor their herds and contact their veterinarian immediately if cows appear sick. HPAI symptoms in dairy mostly affect late-stage lactating cows and include fever, a drop in milk production, loss of appetite, and changes in manure consistency.
>>Largest MN Free Dental Clinic in Duluth
(Duluth, MN) – Minnesota’s largest free dental clinic is at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center (DECC) today and tomorrow, with doors opening at 5:30 a.m. The Minnesota Dental Association’s Carmelo Cinqueonce says they’re expecting anywhere from 1,000-1,200 patients, saying, “It can be children, it can be adults, it could be anyone who, for whatever reason, just can’t access dental care. They may be suffering from pain and infection, and we have volunteers here who are willing to help take care of and address their immediate needs in dental care.” 580 volunteers, including dentists, dental assistants, dental hygienists, and laypeople, are involved in the two-day effort. Among the services provided free of charge are dental cleanings, fillings, root canals on select teeth, extractions, children’s dentistry, and oral hygiene instruction.
>>Cannabis Operators in Minnesota Anxious to Get Growing
(Grand Rapids, MN) – Prospective cannabis operators in Minnesota are excited about the opportunity to get a state license and begin planting later this year. John Hyduke of the proposed HWY 35 manufacturing facility in Grand Rapids says “social equity” growers will be providing the first cannabis to retailers in 2025; it’s “just a matter of how much.” Hyduke says he believes the dispensaries will open next year, in between the second and third quarters of 2025. Social equity applicants, applicants with previous non-violent marijuana convictions, and all military veterans will receive pre-approval for early cultivation this summer.
>>NDC Opens Applications for MN Promise Grants
(Undated) – Applications have opened for the first round of Minnesota Providing Resources and Opportunity and Maximizing Investments in Striving Entrepreneurs grants, otherwise known as the MN Promise Act, after the Legislature passed it last June to help small business owners and nonprofits thrive. Neighborhood Development Center (NDC) CEO Renay Dossman says they’ll be disbursing over $72.2 million in these grants over 2024 and ‘25, explaining, “If you make less than $100,000 you get up to $10,000, you make less than $350,000 you can get up to $25,000, and if you make less than $750,000 you get up to $50,000.” Dossman says funding can be used for working capital, payroll expenses, rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, equipment, and other essential operational costs. Applications and more information can be found on the MN Promise Act website. (https://mnpromiseact.org/)
>>State Agriculture Department Finds EAB in Pope County for 1st Time
(Glenwood, MN) — State agriculture officials are confirming the presence of emerald ash borer (EAB) in west central Minnesota’s Pope County for the first time. A county inspector discovered several declining ash trees with woodpecker holes in Glennwood Township, and EAB larvae were later found. Pope is the 52nd Minnesota county with the tree-killing pest. There’s an emergency quarantine limiting the movement of firewood and other ash material. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is hosting a virtual meeting on June 20th.
