>>Driver Killed in Pickup Crash, Fire near Pequot Lakes in Cass County
(Maple Township, MN) — Cass County authorities are investigating a fiery weekend crash near Pequot Lakes that left one person dead. The sheriff’s office says two pickups collided at a rural intersection Saturday evening, and one of the trucks caught fire. Deputies say the 60-year-old man from Remer driving that pickup died at the scene. The other driver was treated for minor injuries. No further information is being released.
>>Vehicle Crashes into Tent at Chainsaw Carving Event in Hackensack, Injuring 4
(Hackensack, MN) — Four people are injured following an incident at the annual Minnesota Chainsaw Carving Event in Hackensack. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says an 80-year-old man got out of the vehicle he was trying to park Saturday and it crashed into a tent, hitting four adults participating in the event. Deputies say three people were treated at local hospitals for minor injuries, and the fourth victim was airlifted to Duluth with a serious injury. Investigators say the driver is cooperating and alcohol was not involved.
>>NWS Issues Red Flag Warning for 39 MN Counties
(Undated) — The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Red Flag Warning for 39 counties in central, northeast, northwest, and southwest Minnesota due to extreme fire danger. This means fires can spread quickly and get out of control due to gusty winds and low relative humidity. Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Clay, Clearwater, Grant, Hubbard, Mahnomen, Norman, Otter Tail, Polk, Wadena, and Wilkin counties are affected from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, and Itasca counties are affected from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Big Stone, Chippewa, Douglas, Lac Qui Parle, Kandiyohi, Meeker, Morrison, Pope, Traverse, Todd, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Renville, Redwood, and Yellow Medicine counties are affected 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, and Rock counties are affected from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. More information can be found on the NWS’s website. (weather.gov)
>>Cook Home Complete Loss After Fire
(Cook, MN) — A house in Cook is a complete loss after a fire this morning. St. Louis County Sheriff’s deputies and the Cook Fire Department responded to the home around 3:40 a.m. on a 911 call of a passerby seeing flames above the treetops. The house has been unoccupied since flooding began early this summer. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
>>MN Manufacturing Week
(Undated) — It’s Minnesota Manufacturing Week, and CWMF in Waite Park is helping celebrate. Vice President of Business Development Travis Mick says his company makes hot mix asphalt plants and manufactures equipment that produces the material of the asphalt roads at the blacktop roads that we all drive on. The Central Minnesota Manufacturers Association says 20 businesses, including CWMF, will offer in-person and virtual tours to students, parents, and the public.
>>MDH Tips to Avoid Human Rabies Cases
(Undated) – A human rabies-related death in Minnesota has the state Department of Health offering tips on how people can avoid the disease. Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Stacy Holzbauer says people need to have respect for animals, including bats. She notes, “If you see a bat, say, laying on the ground, do not touch it. Then to also recognize when there may be an exposure that may need further action.” The most recent case was Minnesota’s fourth case of human rabies since 2000.
>>Mary J. Blige Performing at the Xcel Energy Center in Spring 2025
(St. Paul, MN) — Hip-hop legend Mary J. Blige is bringing her “For My Fans Tour” to Minnesota next spring. Blige is booked to play at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul on March 16th. The rapper, songwriter, and actress has won nine Grammy Awards and will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next month. Blige is set to release a new album titled “Gratitude” in November. There’s a pre-sale for the show at the “X” on Wednesday, and tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday.
