>>Craig Criticizes ‘Skinny’ Farm Bill as Partisan Measure
(Washington, D.C.) — Congresswoman Angie Craig says the House Agriculture Committee’s passage of the so‑called “skinny” farm bill this morning was anything but bipartisan. Craig, the committee’s ranking Democrat, argued the proposal fails to address key challenges facing producers and families. In the hearing, she told members the bill “will not restore lost export markets or lower input costs. It doesn’t help American children, seniors, and veterans afford their groceries, or states and counties avoid an unfunded mandate that shifted those SNAP costs to them.” Craig also said the legislation ignores hemp farmers in Minnesota and other states and leaves out year-round E-15 provisions supported by Midwest corn growers. Republican Congressman Brad Finstad defended the package, saying it is written: “by farmers for farmers, and by rural Americans for rural America.”
>>GoFundMe Campaign Launched in Honor of Sgt. First Class Nicole Amor
(Undated) — A GoFundMe campaign has been launched in honor of Sgt. First Class Nicole Amor of White Bear Lake, who was killed in Kuwait. Amor’s husband, Joey, says many people have asked how they can help, as Nicole meant so much to many. He says Nicole loved gardening, and it was where she found peace and joy. In her honor, the family plans to build a greenhouse at their home, a place that would have made her incredibly happy and at peace—a space where her love for growing things can continue to live on. Any extra money raised will be donated to the local non-profit, Garden-in-a-Box. This is the non-profit that helped Nicole build her gardens at home.
>>Public’s Help Needed in Clarks Grove Shooting
(Clarks Grove, MN)–Authorities in southern Minnesota are investigating a shooting reported earlier this week and asking for the public’s assistance. Freeborn County deputies were called around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday for reports of possible gunfire in northeastern Clarks Grove, about 10 miles north of Albert Lea. No injuries have been reported.
Investigators are asking residents in that area to review any home or business security footage captured between 10 and 11 p.m. Tuesday and to contact the Sheriff’s Office with any information.
>> Google Behind Proposed Duluth-Area Data Center
(Duluth, MN) — The mystery is over. Google is the company behind the proposed data center outside Duluth. The project has drawn months of pushback from residents frustrated by both the secrecy surrounding the plan and concerns about its impact. The tech giant confirmed itintends to build a data center in a rural part of Hermantown. Many Duluth-area residents worry about potential environmental damage and whether the facility will tap into Lake Superior for its water needs. Google says it plans to work with Minnesota Power to help reduce strain on the electrical grid. The company also announced a $5 million contribution to the utility for energy-efficiency and affordability programs.
>>More Than 35 Percent of Minnesota in Moderate Drought
(Lincoln, NE) — The new U-S Drought Monitor map suggests the snowpack is gone in several parts of the state. More than a third of Minnesota is in a moderate drought, two-thirds is abnormally dry, and just over three percent is in a severe drought. Thirty-two percent of the state has no drought conditions. Rain and snow are in the forecast for the next few days across Minnesota.
>>State Capitol Puppy Day
(St. Paul, MN) — It’s Puppy Day at the Capitol, back for its 9th year. Lawmakers and staff are getting some much-needed puppy time today thanks to Animal Humane Society. But the event isn’t just about cute faces and wagging tails. AHS is using the day to spotlight its 2026 legislative priorities, including new measures to boost transparency for commercial dog and cat breeders and a proposal to create a statewide Office of Animal Protection.
