>>Aitkin County Man Sentenced to 4.8 Years in Prison for Exposing Children to Fentanyl
(St. Cloud, MN) — An Aitkin County man has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison after exposing a two-year-old to fentanyl in 2023. 32-year-old Cody Sam faced four different charges, including felony drug possession, child endangerment, and violating a domestic abuse no-contact order. Family members removed the child from a home after they became unresponsive, later determined to be due to fentanyl exposure. A search of the house turned up five more children, 304 fentanyl pills, and several grams of fentanyl powder. Three people were arrested, including Sam, and the children were placed into protective custody. Sam must also pay $712 in fees.
>>43% of Minnesota is in Moderate Drought, 94% Abnormally Dry
(Lincoln, NE) — More than 43 percent of the state is in a moderate drought following little to no rainfall in September. The driest areas are in northeastern, central, and southwest Minnesota. The new U-S Drought Monitor map shows nearly 94 percent of the state is abnormally dry – up from 80 percent last week. According to the statewide forecast for next week, no significant rainfall exists.
>>CAIR-MN Hosts Prayer for Families Ahead of Thompson’s Federal Trail for Running Down 5 Young Women
(Bloomington, MN) — The Minnesota chapter of the Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) invites the public tonight (THURS) to join them and the families of five Muslim women killed in a June 2023 car crash in prayer and remembrance ahead of the suspect’s federal trial Monday. Derrick Thompson has yet to enter a plea in the Hennepin County case and has until November to decide. Those killed include Sahra Gesaade, 20, Salma Abdikadir, 20, Sagal Hersi, 19, Siham Odhowa, 19, and Sabiriin Ali, 17. The prayer event begins at 6 p.m. at the Zawadi Center in Bloomington.
.>>No Changes in Marquette Law School Presidential Poll in Wisconsin
(Milwaukee, WI) — No noticeable changes in the presidential race in the latest Marquette Law School Poll of voters in neighboring Wisconsin. The survey finds Vice President Kamala Harris with 52 percent support and former President Donald Trump at 48 percent. The poll shows Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz is viewed favorably by 45 percent, unfavorably by 38 percent, and 16 percent undecided. Republican V-P pick J-D Vance is seen favorably by 38 percent, unfavorably by 51 percent, and 11 percent undecided. The survey was taken before Tuesday’s debate between Governor Walz and Senator Vance.
>>St. Paul Man Charged with Attempted Murder for Allegedly Shooting Homeless Man’s Face
(St. Paul, MN) — A St. Paul man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly shooting a homeless man in the face Monday. Officers say around 4:15 a.m. near St. Paul’s Parkway Apartments, 35-year-old Mohamud Bulle shot the victim in the face with a black .380 handgun. The criminal complaint says the victim played a voicemail his girlfriend got that morning from a man making a threat about the money he was owed. Bulle was arrested later that day at his home, and officers recovered a .380 handgun from the kitchen trash. Bulle denied the shooting, admitting to knowing the man and confronting him. He remains in custody with a bail of $1 million. The condition of the victim is unknown.
>>MnDOT to Close Highway 55 from Plymouth to Golden Valley for 10 Days
(Plymouth, MN) — Beginning Monday at 2 a.m., all eastbound lanes of Highway 55, from Plymouth to Golden Valley, will be shut down from I-494 to State Highway 169. MnDOT announced the 10-day closure Wednesday, ending at 10 p.m. on October 16th. This is part of a major resurfacing project that will move into its next phase – shutting down the westbound lanes for construction right after. MnDOT suggests motorists heading east on Highway 55 detour using southbound I-494 to eastbound I-394 to northbound Highway 169.
>>Holidazzle Returns to Minneapolis This Winter
(Minneapolis, MN) — Holidazzle is back at Minneapolis’ Nicollet Mall this year after a “lack of funding” caused the 2023 celebration to be canceled. Organizers say the 5-day free festival begins Wednesday, December 18th, filled with holiday experiences, seasonal activities, and food and entertainment featuring small businesses. Patrons can buy a “Friends of Holidazzle” pass that offers valet parking, a Santa “fast pass,” and more. Also new this year is a Holidazzle Hospitality Hub, a private indoor location designed to host elaborate holiday parties.