>>Red Flag Warning Issued for 6 Counties in Southwest Minnesota
(Chanhassen, MN) — Due to extreme fire risk conditions, there’s a Red Flag Warning in southwestern Minnesota today (Fri 12-8 pm). Forecasters say fires can spread quickly and grow out of control with strong winds and low humidity. The warning is in effect for Cottonwood, Jackson, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, and Rock counties. Crews in the west metro battled a large grass fire Thursday in Corcoran (CORK’-rin). Temperatures could reach the low 80s this afternoon in the southwest part of the state.
>>Pickup Driver Killed in Drunken Driving Crash in Southwest Minnesota
(Beaver Creek Township, MN) — A man from southwest Minnesota is the victim in a deadly drunken driving crash in Rock County. The State Patrol says 47-year-old Grant Crawford of Jasper was killed when a car collided with his pickup late Thursday night on Highway 23 west of Luverne. The report says the man driving the car suffered non-life-threatening injuries and that alcohol was involved. He was taken to a hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
>>Weekly Flu Update
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota’s flu season is winding down, but it is not over just yet. According to the Minnesota Department of Health’s weekly update, there were 82 hospitalizations last week, a decrease from 143 the previous week. This season, over 7,300 people have been hospitalized due to complications from the flu. The number of Minnesotans who have died from influenza complications sits at 336, including two children. There were no new school outbreaks last week, following two outbreaks the week before. However, six outbreaks were reported in long-term care facilities, an increase from two the previous week.
>>Cyclist Dead After Bus Crash in St. Francis
(St. Francis, MN) — A cyclist is dead after a crash with a bus in St. Francis this morning (FRI). Police responded around 7:25 to the report of someone hit by a bus. Investigators believe a school bus tried to turn south when it hit an eastbound man on a bike. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman driving the bus was unharmed, and there were no other passengers.
>>New US Drought Monitor for Minnesota Similar to Last Week
(Lincoln, NE) — Nearly 95 percent of Minnesota remains abnormally dry, and two-thirds of the state is in a moderate drought. Conditions are about the same as last week in the new U.S. drought monitor map. The areas with moderate drought dropped by half a percent after recent snowfall. Just under 9 % of the state is in a severe drought. The driest areas are in north central Minnesota and the southwest along the South Dakota border.
>>Falcon Heights Wants to Charge $25 for State Fair Parking
(Falcon Heights, MN) –The City of Falcon Heights plans to change free street parking for the 12-day Minnesota State Fair to $25 per day. The fee would affect nearly 1,000 parking spots. City officials believe this will create $100,000-200,000 in revenue but await public comments before finalizing the fee. The overall plan includes providing only one free parking pass per household, which could leave residents/guests having to pay to park in front of their homes during the fair’s run.
>>One Million Dollar Scratch-Off Winner
(Roseville, MN) — There is another million scratch-off winner in Minnesota. The Minnesota State Lottery says someone playing the game Casino Millions has won the top prize of $1 million. The ticket was sold at Blazer Express in Breckenridge on Thursday. The top prize is paid as a 20-year annuity ($50,000 a year). Players may also opt to take a one-time cash payment.
>>Mumford & Sons Playing Xcel Energy Center in October
(St. Paul, MN) — Mumford and Sons are coming to Minnesota this fall. The British folk-rock band is playing the Xcel Energy Center on October 9th. Mumford and Sons released their fifth album, Rushmere, today (Fri), announcing a 32-date North American tour. Tickets for the St. Paul show go on sale next Friday, April 5th.
