>>Red Flag Warning Issued for Northwest, West Central and Southwest Minnesota
(Chanhassen, MN) — A Red Flag Warning will be issued for counties in northwest, west central, and southwest Minnesota later today (Mon) due to extreme fire risk conditions. The National Weather Service predicts record-high temperatures in the 60s and 70s with strong winds and low humidity. Officials say fires can spread quickly and worsen under those weather conditions. Here’s the list of counties under a Red Flag Warning:
Becker, Clay, Clearwater, Grant, Hubbard, Mahnomen, Norman, Otter Tail, Wadena, and Wilkin from 11 am to 7 pm; Big Stone, Traverse, Lincoln and Lyon from 2 to 9 pm; and Chippewa, Douglas, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Meeker, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Todd, and Yellow Medicine from 2 to 8 pm.
>>Special Election In Pivotal Minnesota House Race Scheduled For Tomorrow
(St. Paul, MN) — A special election will be held tomorrow for a Minnesota House seat that will determine the balance of power at the state Capitol. Democrat David Gottfried is running against Republican Paul Wilkstrom for the District 40B seat, which encompasses Roseville and Shoreview. If Gottfried wins, the House will be tied at 67 votes each for Democrats and Republicans. However, if Wilkstrom wins, the Republican Party would gain a 68 to 66 majority in the House. The original winner of this district seat was DFLer Curtis Johnson, but a judge ruled that he was ineligible to serve due to not meeting residency requirements. This decision has led to tomorrow’s special election.
>>Former Senate DFL Leader Lopez Franzen Running for US Senate in 2026
(Edina, MN) — Former Minnesota Senate Minority Leader Melissa Lopez Franzen is running for U-S Senate in 2026. The Democrat from Edina says she’s launching a campaign focused on fighting for working families, expanding economic opportunity, protecting our neighbors, and bringing common sense and decency to Washington. Lopez Franzen served ten years in the state Senate but left in 2022 when the new legislative maps put her in the same district as D-F-L Senator Ron Latz of St. Louis Park. Fellow Democrat and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan started her campaign for Tina Smith’s U-S Senate seat over the weekend.
>>Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office Investigates Small Plane Crash near Rochester
(Rochester, MN) — Authorities in southeastern Minnesota are investigating a plane crash south of Rochester. The Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office says a small plane went down around 10:15 Sunday night in High Forest Township. Deputies say the pilot was able to walk away from the crash scene and was taken to the hospital for evaluation. The National Transportation Safety Board and F-A-A have been called in to assist local investigators.
>>Man Pleads Guilty in Fatal Teen Overdose
(St. Cloud, MN) — One of three people charged in the fatal overdose of a Sauk Rapids teenager has entered a plea deal. 48-year-old Anthony Costello has pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter in the death of a 16-year-old boy. According to the criminal complaint, on March 2nd, Sauk Rapids Police responded to a home on a report of an unresponsive person. Despite life-saving aid, the boy was pronounced dead for some time. Costello, who was previously in a relationship with the boy’s mother, 38-year-old Crystal Swenson, says he, Swenson, and 33-year-old Fox Bellanger made plans to buy cocaine for the boy. The teen’s cause of death was fentanyl toxicity and cocaine use. Costello’s sentencing will be later, and he will face four years in prison. Swenson and Bellanger are charged with third-degree murder.
>>’Twins Pass’ Ticket Packages On Sale Today
(Minneapolis, MN) — Target Field is returning the “Twins Pass” ticket package this season. Twins Pass ticketholders can watch the game from most social spaces in the ballpark – but do not have an assigned seat. Fans can purchase a full-season package for 324 dollars – or a monthly package starting at 59 dollars. Tickets are now on sale on the Twins’ website. Minnesota plays 15 home games in April.
>>Keith Urban Playing Xcel Energy Center on September 26th
(St. Paul, MN) — Country music star Keith Urban is coming to Minnesota this fall. The four-time Grammy Award winner plays at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul on Friday, September 26th. Urban’s “High and Alive World Tour” kicks off in May with special guests Chase Matthew, Alana Springsteen, and Karly Scott Collins. Tickets for the St. Paul concert go on sale this Friday at 10 am through Ticketmaster.
