>>Pedestrian Dies After Hit and Run Crash in Willmar
(Willmar, MN) — Police in Willmar says the victim of a pedestrian hit-and-run crash on Tuesday night did not survive. Officers found the 52-year-old man with extensive injuries receiving first aid from a CentraCare Clinic security officer. The man was taken to the hospital where he later died. Investigators say the victim was crossing at an intersection when he was struck by a four-door, dark-colored sedan that fled the scene. Anyone with information about the crash or suspect vehicle is asked to contact the Willmar Police Department or CrimeStoppers.
>>Push to Ban Flavored Tobacco Products
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesotans for a Smoke-Free Generation is calling on state lawmakers to protect citizens from so-called “Big Tobacco.” Chair Emily Myatt says they’re asking the legislature to end sales of all commercial “flavored” tobacco products this year. Myatt says the tobacco companies are using flavored products to target young people, Black Minnesotans, the L-G-B-T-Q-plus community, and American Indians. Some retailers have pushed back against bans on flavored tobacco products.
>>2024 Dicamba Restrictions
(St. Paul, MN) — The state Agriculture Department has announced restrictions for the 2024 growing season on farmers’ use of the dicamba herbicide to minimize “drift” onto neighboring properties. The Ag Department’s Joshua Stamper acknowledges it’s a balancing act because dicamba is a hammer on difficult-to-control weeds, but it can also be a hammer on your neighbor’s crops, gardens, and trees. Application of dicamba is not allowed south of Interstate 94 after June 12th, or north of I-94 after June 30th — and no application if the temperature is over 85 degrees.
>>Hourly Wages Hold Steady
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota’s average hourly wage continues to be higher than the national average. DEED’s Labor Market Information Director Angelina Nguyen says for November average hourly wage for all private sector workers in Minnesota was 36 dollars and 29 cents. Over the year, the growth rate for wages was 3.4%, and over three years it was 13.2% for Minnesota Nguyen says the national average hourly wage for all private sector workers was $33.99 two dollars less than Minnesota’s.
>>Holiday Crash Numbers Down in Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota saw a drop in crashes over the Christmas holiday weekend. Numbers released by the Minnesota State Patrol show there were 518 crashes between December 20th and 25th. Sixty-six crash injuries were reported, with five deaths. Nearly a thousand crashes were reported during the Christmas holiday season last year.
>>Office Of Cannabis Management Survey Deadline Tomorrow
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management is still taking public input on the way the state will regulate retail marijuana operations. The office is conducting a series of surveys as it works toward drafting rules to govern the state’s cannabis industry. The survey currently available through the OCM’s website deals with retail operations and sanitary standards that should be adopted. Input will be accepted through tomorrow.
