>>Sweltering afternoon in southern, central MN
(Undated) — Temperatures in the 90s and dewpoints in the 70s have pushed the heat index into triple digits across southern Minnesota as well as the west-central and central regions including the Twin Cities. Actual air temperatures in the triple digits are reported at Canby and Marshall in southwest Minnesota. There’s a sharp break going into northern and northeast Minnesota, with temperatures in the 60s and 70s– but severe storms are not in the forecast. The National Weather Service’s Jake Beitlich (BITE-lick) says that’s because “we have extremely warm temperatures aloft. So that allows the surface temperature to warm up. That also prevents thunderstorms from forming.” An excessive heat warning remains in effect for much of southern Minnesota through Thursday afternoon.
>>Suspect at Large in Mankato Burglary, Assault
(Mankato, MN) — Police are looking for a suspect involved in a burglary and assault this morning (Tues) at a residence in Mankato. The victim’s car was stolen and later recovered in a wooded area three miles south of the home. The suspect is a white male, 6-1, 250 pounds, with red hair. Anyone with information should call law enforcement in Blue Earth County.
>>U-of-M investigating allegations of potentially massive data breach involving Social Security numbers
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The University of Minnesota has confirmed it notified state and federal officials a month ago about a potentially massive data breach, reports the Star Tribune. University officials aren’t saying how they found out about the alleged breach or its scope. On July 21st a site called Cyber Express reported a hacker’s claim to have accessed some seven million Social Security numbers at the University, dating back to 1989. The hacker reportedly accessed the U-of-M’s data warehouse to analyze the effects of affirmative action relative to college admissions. Interim President Jeff Ettinger says the University is devoting “fairly significant resources” to investigate but “first, you have to determine… is there evidence that it actually is true?”
>>MN/Dakotas Red Cross sending volunteers to Maui
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota/Dakotas Chapter of the Red Cross has sent over two dozen volunteers and is deploying more every two weeks to Maui to offer disaster relief support after wildfires have killed at least 115 people, with over 850 still missing. Red Cross spokesperson Carrie Carlson-Guest says volunteers’ help varies, with some on the frontlines. She says, “We have a number of volunteers that are deployed in family reunification, spiritual care, sheltering, the things you would expect after large-scale disasters like this.” Carlson-Guest says some work behind the scenes: “Volunteers that help with logistics, making sure that all kinds of things like cots and blankets and supplies are all moving and getting where they need to go.” Carlson-Guest says disasters like these last months, and if anyone is interested in donating their time, money, or resources to the Red Cross, they can visit their website or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. (Redcross.org/mndaks)
>>NW Minnesota spring wheat grower says yields disappointing
(Kittson County, MN) — A spring wheat grower in northwest Minnesota says yields are disappointing. Theresia Gillie began harvest last week in Kittson County and says yields are about two-thirds of average. “We just didn’t get the rains we needed,” Gillie says, and an abnormally warm summer didn’t help the crop. Gillie says the quality of the wheat is good but she’ll be short on bushels.
>>Omar dismisses poll showing her in hypothetical matchup against Biden
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(Washington, DC) — Fifth District Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is dismissing a poll that puts her in a hypothetical challenge to President Joe Biden — Omar tweeting “You all know I am not eligible to run for President.” Business Insider reports the poll, conducted by The Center Square and Noble Predictive Insights, found that Biden would trounce Omar with 63 percent support to her 10 percent. Omar would narrowly outperform Marianne Williamson but garner less support that Robert F. Kennedy Junior. Omar was born in Somalia and not eligible to be president because the U-S Constitution requires a person holding that office be born in the United States. Omar, who’s backing Biden for re-election, accuses the pollster of “wasting people’s time.”
>>Family of missing NDSU student Tom Bearson closing foundation they started in his name
(Sartell, MN) — The family of Tom Bearson (BEER-son), the North Dakota State University student whose 2014 murder has never been solved, has announced they’re closing the foundation they started in his name, and thanking the community and employees. The Tom Bearson Foundation has funded a number of scholarships and supported the boys and girls basketball teams in Sartell (sar-TELL), where Bearson grew up. Moorhead Deputy Police Chief Tory Jacobson says the investigation into Bearson’s death is still “very much” active. September 20th marks nine years since he was last seen in the early morning hours at a party in Fargo. Bearson’s body was found three days later in the parking lot of an R-V dealership in Moorhead.
>>Arson suspect arrested after fire destroys home in northeast Minnesota
(Makinen, MN) — Saint Louis County authorities say a female is in custody, suspected of arson in a house fire this morning (Tues) in the Makinen (muh-KIN-en) area, just south of the Iron Range in northeast Minnesota. Deputies say fire spread to the residence from a woodpile under a lean-to. One person was in the house but responders warned him and he was able to escape uninjured. The dwelling is a total loss.
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