>>Four Minnesotans Died in the September 11th Terrorist Attacks
(St. Paul, MN) — Four of the victims in the September 11th, 2001, terrorist attacks were from Minnesota. Tom Burnett Junior of Bloomington was one of the heroes on United Flight 93 that crashed in Pennsylvania. Burnett helped lead the effort to retake the plane from the hijackers, preventing it from hitting the U-S Capitol. Gordy Aamoth (AY’-mith), Junior of Wayzata and St. Paul native Gary Koechler (KECK’-lur) died in the World Trade Center in New York, and Sergeant Max Beilke (BELL’-kee) from Pipestone died in the Pentagon attack. Today, Minnesota remembers Burnett, Aamoth, Koechler, Beilke, and all the victims on the 24th anniversary of 9/11.
>>Rochester Man Charged with Assaulting Family Member
(Rochester, MN) — A homeless man is facing charges after allegedly assaulting his amputee family member, leaving him severely injured. Rochester police responded on August 28th and found the victim bloodied, with missing teeth, and a disheveled apartment. The victim told officers 20-year-old Togol Ruach of Rochester had attacked him, striking him in the head and midsection until he lost consciousness. Rauch is charged with first-degree assault, third-degree assault, and first-degree aggravated robbery.
>>Body Found Confirmed to be Missing New Prague Man
(New Prague, MN) — The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office is confirming a body found in a New Prague field on Tuesday morning is Logan Sampson. The twenty-four-year-old was reported missing on Sunday morning. Sampson’s family says he had a history of seizures, which prompted a wide search immediately.
>>Minnesota Dairy Herds Cleared of Bird Flu
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota has reached a significant milestone in bird flu testing. Nicole Neeser, Director of the Dairy and Meat Inspection Division, says the USDA has confirmed the state’s dairy herds are free of the virus. She says, “We were able to get four consecutive months of negative results from whole herd testing — virtually every day. “This is the next step toward demonstrating that we’re free of the virus.” While testing will continue, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture plans to reduce its frequency moving forward.
>>Rep. Craig Slams GOP Defense Bill Over Anti-LGBTQ+ Provisions
(Washington, D.C.) — Congresswoman Angie Craig is speaking out after voting against the Republican-led National Defense Authorization Act, saying it includes “last-minute harmful provisions” targeting LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans. The bill passed the House with two hundred fourteen Republican votes. Craig says it breaks bipartisan tradition and puts military families at risk by limiting health care access and workers’ rights.
>>Dedication for Southeastern Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial in Rochester
(Rochester, MN) — The new Southeastern Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial will be dedicated this evening (Thurs ) in Rochester. The public is invited to tour the memorial in Soldiers Field Park before the 6:30 program. It celebrates the lives and stories of 45 officers, deputies, state troopers, and agents who sacrificed their lives for their communities. Olmsted County Sheriff Kevin Torgerson expects it to be an emotional event.
>>Dierks Bentley Joins 2026 Special Olympics Airlift Effort
(Undated) — Country music star Dierks Bentley is lending his voice and support to the June 2026 Special Olympics Airlift, a nationwide initiative aimed at transporting hundreds of athletes and coaches to the Special Olympics USA Games in the Twin Cities. Bentley is calling on pilots across the country to join the mission, which helps ensure that athletes can travel to and from the host city—regardless of financial or logistical barriers. “Getting to be a part of the 2026 Special Olympics Airlift is something I’m genuinely excited about,” Bentley said in a statement. “It’s an incredible way to support these athletes and the spirit of the Games.”
