>>Police say Driver Fell Asleep in Deadly Chisago County Crash
(Wyoming, MN) – Investigators in Chisago County say one of the drivers fell asleep at the wheel before a deadly crash last Friday near the city of Wyoming. A police report says the driver of an S-U-V crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a van. The S-U-V driver admitted that he fell asleep which caused the vehicle to go straight at a curve in the road. His passenger, 62-year-old Debbra Pojanowski of Lindstrom, died at the hospital. A passenger in the van, 76-year-old Jerry Mely of Chisago City, was also killed in the crash.
>>St. Cloud State President Wacker Stepping Down this Weekend
(St. Cloud, MN) — St. Cloud State University President Robyn Wacker is stepping down earlier than expected. Minnesota State Chancellor Scott Olson told faculty and staff in a letter that President Wacker’s last day will be this Sunday, May 5th. Olson says Wacker shared her concerns that decisions about long-term operational changes should be made by leaders who will be there to manage the transition. Wacker was scheduled to leave her position on June 30th but will be replaced by acting president Larry Lee next week.
>>MN Timberwolves Coach Nori to Run Bench During Game 1 of 2024 NBA Western Conference Semifinals
(Denver, Colorado ) – Minnesota Timberwolves assistant coach Micah Nori is expected to run the bench during Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals Saturday night in Denver. Wolves president Tim Connelly says “Micah is gonna make a great head coach when some smart team hires him. The whole staff is really connected and I think Finch empowers those guys. So it’s a collective, it’s not just about one person. But just like players, we have next man up, same with coaches.” Head coach Chris Finch was back at practice on crutches Thursday after undergoing knee surgery. Finch did not fly to Colorado with the team last night but is expected to be in the arena for tomorrow night’s game.
>>MDA Reminds Homeowners to Apply Pesticides, Fertilizers with Care
(Undated) – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is using the warm weather as a good time to remind Minnesotans to use pesticides and fertilizers properly and with care. Agricultural Chemical Supervisor Christine Wicks advises homeowners to apply products early in the morning or later in the evening when wind and adverse weather conditions are less likely. Wicks says if you hire a professional lawn care provider, do your homework and make sure they’re licensed by the MDA to commercially apply pesticides and fertilizers, including weed and feed products.
>>UMN Studies “Loneliness Epidemic”
(Minneapolis, MN) – The University of Minnesota is researching how the “loneliness epidemic,” recently declared by the U.S. Surgeon General, is a threat to public health. Associate Professor Carrie Henning-Smith says despite being common, prolonged loneliness is linked to several negative health outlooks, including heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, diabetes, depression, anxiety, and more. Henning-Smith says social connectedness is foundational to our health and that our friendships, families, and other interactions greatly impact us.
>>Rep. Craig Secures $670K for Woodbury Police Department
(Woodbury, MN) — The Woodbury Police Department will get a federal boost of $670,000 for new in-vehicle, body-worn, and interview room cameras thanks to Representative Angie Craig. Specifically, the funding will be used to replace 45 squad car cameras, 90 body-worn cameras, and 4 interview room cameras. Craig says she worked with Woodbury Police Chief Jason Posel and local leaders to secure the funding, which Craig says will “assist with the criminal justice process and increase transparency and openness with the community.”
