>>Man Arrested in Connection to Death of Hockey Player Johnson Released
(Sheffield, UK) — Police in England say the man arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in the death of Minnesota hockey player Adam Johnson has been released on bail. The South Yorkshire Police Department took the unnamed man into custody on Tuesday and released him earlier today. Twenty-nine-year-old Johnson from Hibbing died after his neck was cut by the skate blade of an opposing player during an October 28th game with the Nottingham Panthers. Detectives say the investigation continues and they plan to provide further updates when they can.
>>Minnesota Fares Well in 2023 State of Lung Cancer Report
(St. Paul, MN) — The 2023 State of Lung Cancer report shows Minnesota’s lung cancer survival rate has improved because of increased awareness, improved access to healthcare, and cutting-edge research into new treatments for the disease. Pat McKone with the American Lung Association says early screening is key. She says if you are at high risk for lung cancer “I think that the first big step is to open up that conversation with your health care provider to say… you know I heard about this I’d like to know if I’m in that category because the category is getting larger as we see more of these positive results”. Minnesota ranks 4th in the country for lung cancer survival.
>>Toward Zero Death Conference Wraps Up Today
(Rochester, MN) — Over four hundred people died in crashes on Minnesota roads last year, and the goal of a two-day conference wrapping up today (Wed) in Rochester is to reduce that number to zero. Mike Hanson with the state Office of Traffic Safety says speed is number one on the list because it makes everything else worse — but also impaired or distracted driving, and the six percent of Minnesotans who don’t buckle up. “People who don’t take that two seconds to put that belt on, are represented in 30 percent of the fatalities that occur. And so, if there’s one thing, we could do to get everybody to buckle up, we could save a hundred lives a year.” It’s the 20th year of the “Toward Zero Deaths” program that brings together professionals from the state Public Safety Department, MN-DOT, and the Minnesota Department of Health. Hanson says Minnesota’s program has become a model for the nation.
>>Traffic Deaths Trending Upward
(St. Paul, MN) — We are nearing the end of 2023 and the number of traffic fatalities in the state is concerning. The Minnesota Department of Transportation is reporting 339 traffic fatalities so far this year. That number is pacing the 444 deaths reported in 2022.
The breakdown of deaths in 2023 is as follows:
Cars/trucks/SUVs: 225
Pedestrians: 32
Motorcyclists: 65
Bicyclists: 7
ATVs, UTVs: 7
Snowmobiles: 3
MN-Dot is reminding motorists to be aware of laws, not to drive impaired, and to observe the hands-free law regarding cell phones.
>>BCA Reports Missing West St. Paul Man Found Safe
(West St. Paul, MN) — The endangered missing person alert for a West St. Paul man is canceled. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) says 62-year-old Willie Young has been located and is safe. The West St. Paul Police Department asked for help locating Young after he left home Tuesday night and didn’t return.
>>Minnesota Millionaire Raffle Tickets Sold out
(Roseville, MN) — The Minnesota Millionaire Raffle tickets are now sold out. Just yesterday less than 10 percent of the tickets remained. A total of 800-thousand tickets were up for grabs for the New Year’s Day drawing. Tickets went on sale just three weeks ago. Prizes have increased this year, there will be two – 2-million-dollar prize tickets in addition to 50,000-dollar prizes and several 200-dollar winning tickets. Lottery director Adam Prock says the Minnesota Millionaire Raffle gives players the best chance of winning.
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