>>U of M Service Workers Vote to Strike
(Minneapolis, MN) — Service workers at the University of Minnesota are preparing to strike after rejecting the school’s final contract offer.
Teamsters Local 320 says more than 80 percent of its members voted against the deal, which included modest raises and bonuses. The strike begins tonight at the Crookston and Morris campuses and expands tomorrow to the Twin Cities, Duluth, and other locations. About 1,400 workers are involved—janitors, food service staff, mechanics, and more. The union is pushing for higher wages and more substantial benefits, saying many workers earn well below the state median. The university says it’s facing budget pressures, but is working to keep essential services running.
>>Duluth Man Charged with Sparking Camp House Fire
(Brimson, MN) — An unattended campfire sparked the Camp House Fire that scorched northern Minnesota earlier this year, and a Duluth man now faces a misdemeanor charge, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The fire ignited near Brimson on May 11th and burned for nearly two weeks before crews contained it. In that time, it destroyed more than 12,000 acres and 150 structures. The Camp House Fire was one of three major wildfires in May, fueled by dry conditions and strong winds. In total, over 30,000 acres were lost.
>>Winona State Senator Will Not Seek Reelection
(St. Paul, MN) – Republican state Senator Jeremy Miller of Winona says he will not seek reelection in 2026. Miller says he decided after talking it over with his family. Miller burst onto the political scene in 2010 at age 26 by becoming the second youngest Minnesotan in history to be elected to the Senate. He has won reelection four times and will have served 16 years in the Senate at the end of his term. Miller said he will not count out running for other public service roles, but for now has decided to step back.
>>Trial Begins for St. Cloud Man Charged in Strangulation Death of Blaine Woman
(St. Cloud, MN) — Jury selection begins today (Mon) in the trial of a St. Cloud man accused in the strangulation death of a woman eight years ago. Stearns County prosecutors say 45-year-old Daniel Kenning is facing first- and second-degree murder charges in the September 2018 killing of 45-year-old Jennifer Moy from Blaine. Investigators say Kenning walked into the St. Cloud Police Department and admitted to murdering Moy in his home. His trial has been delayed several times.
>>Use Fall to Clean House of Hazardous Materials
(Undated) — Fall can be an excellent time for Minnesotans to go through their homes and dispose of unwanted or needed hazardous waste materials. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency household hazardous waste expert Teresa Gilbertson says household items like cleaners, pesticides, and fertilizers can all be a problem and cause pollution in the event of a flood or other weather event. Gilbertson says if you don’t want to dispose of items, put them in a proper container on the upper floor of a house. More tips can be found on the MPCA website.
>>Expect Detours During North Shore Inline Marathon in Duluth
(Duluth, MN) — Motorists traveling through Duluth this Saturday(9-13), should plan for detours and delays due to the North Shore Inline Marathon. Interstate 35 and Highway 61 will be detoured beginning at 6 a.m. to accommodate the race. The detour will start at Mesaba Avenue, rerouting traffic through city streets before reconnecting with the Highway 61 expressway. Event-related closures are expected to be lifted by 2 p.m. Saturday. Drivers are encouraged to allow extra travel time and follow posted detour signs.
>>Three Minnesotans Win $50,000 in Saturday’s Powerball Drawing
(Roseville, MN) – Tickets in Missouri and Texas matched all the numbers and won the $1.8 billion Powerball drawing Saturday night, but there were four winning tickets in Minnesota for nice consolation prizes. One ticket sold in Caledonia with the Power Play option matched four numbers plus the Powerball for $100,000. Three tickets were $50,000 winners. Those were sold in Fairbault, Hastings, and Long Prairie. The game starts over for tonight’s drawing with a jackpot of $20 million.
