>>Red Flag Extreme Fire Risk Warning for 8 Counties
(Undated) — Red Flag Warnings are issued for eight counties in northwest Minnesota today (MON) from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. due to extreme fire risk conditions. Affected counties include Clay, Kittson, Marshall, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau. The DNR says fine fuels, like grass and twigs, can dry out quickly when the wind is high and relative humidity is low, leading to quick-spreading wildfires. Burning permits are not active for large vegetative debris burning at this time.
>>Stearns County Man Found Not Guilty Of Killing His Infant Son
(St. Cloud, MN) — A man from Stearns County has been acquitted in a retrial for the murder of his newborn son more than ten years ago. A jury recently found 42-year-old Robert Kiaser not guilty of two counts of second-degree unintentional murder. This marks the second time he has faced trial for the death of his two-month-old child, William, in 2014. Medical experts reported that the baby died from a traumatic brain injury, which was allegedly caused while the infant was in Kaiser’s care. The Great North Innocence Project, which investigated the case in 2020, expressed satisfaction with the verdict. This organization works to free individuals whom they believe have been wrongly convicted.
>>Crow Wing Deputies Investigate Grass Fire, Death
(Crow Wing County, MN) — The Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a grass fire and the death of a Brainerd woman. Deputies responded to a report of a grass fire near a residence and a possible death around 12:12 p.m. Sunday in Crow Wing Township. Upon arrival, deputies found the 65-year-old homeowner dead near a lawn mower. The fire was extinguished. No other injuries or structural damage were reported. The fire is under investigation.
>>8 Suspects Charged with Racketeering for $197 K in Pull Tab Thefts
(St. Paul, MN) — Eight suspects face felony charges for stealing nearly 200 thousand dollars in pull tab funds intended for Minnesota youth sports, veterans, and community organizations. State Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement officials say a 14-month investigation found that 50-year-old Arron King Senior of St. Paul led the racketeering scheme between March of 2023 and late February 2024. The suspects would use pry bars and sledgehammers to break into buildings and the safes that contained cash from pull tab sales. The stolen funds were intended for charities including the Howard Lake and Stillwater American Legions; Champlin-Dayton Athletic Association; Rogers, Monticello, and Roseville hockey; Forest Lake VFW; and Hopkins Raspberry Association.
>>Minnesota Ag Department Expands Farm to School program
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Ag Department expanded its Farm to School Food program this year. Farm to Institution Coordinator Kate Seybold says even more young Minnesotans will benefit because family childcare centers can now participate in the program. Food can be bought from various sources through the program, including direct from local farmers, a farmers market, or a retail setting. Childcare centers would then be reimbursed for the food they purchase. More info on the program is available on the Ag Department website.
>>BPPD Search for Missing 33-Year-Old Woman
(Brooklyn Park, MN) — Brooklyn Park police are searching for a missing woman. 33-year-old Desire Williams was last seen on Saturday, leaving a Brooklyn Park residence on foot. She is described as Black, 5 feet 3 inches tall, 230 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Williams was last seen wearing gray leggings, a floral shirt, and black Crocs.
>>Minnesota Twins Reinstate Castro and Lewis from the Injured List
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Twins could have Willi Castro and Royce Lewis in the lineup for the series opener Tuesday against Baltimore. The team reinstated Castro from the 10-day Injured List today (Mon), returned Lewis from his rehab assignment, and reinstated him from the I-L. Castro suffered an oblique injury versus the Mets on April 16th. Lewis has been out with a hamstring injury since a March 16th spring training game in Florida. The Twins and Orioles open a three-game series tomorrow at Target Field.
