>>Duluth recovering quickly from largest flooding event since 2012 disaster
(Duluth, MN) This past weekend Duluth saw its the wettest three days since the destructive flood of 2012, thanks to over five inches of rain. Several roads were closed in Duluth and St. Louis County due to flooding. But St. Louis County Public Works Director Jim Foldesi (FALL-duh-see) says, “It is the kind of damage that can be fixed in days, not weeks or months or years as we saw back in 2012.” Foldesi says majority of roads have been repaired and will be open by the end of the day, something he called a “shocking success story.” He says,”Many of the large box culverts, bridges on the larger stream and river crossings were replaced following the 2012 flooding event, and we are now reaping the benefits of a more resilient infrastructure system.” The Weather Service says most of the rainfall will move south into Carlton, Aitkin and Pine counties and potential for localized flooding is low in those areas. Meanwhile on Lake Superior beaches, there’s high risk of dangerous rip currents and swimming is not advised, regardless of experience.
>>Alumacraft lays off 68 workers at its boat factory in St. Peter
(St. Peter, MN) — Alumacraft Boat Company has laid off 68 employees at its plant in Saint Peter in south-central Minnesota, leaving about 200 at that location. A spokesman for BRP, the Canadian company that acquired Alumacraft in 2018, says “we made these very difficult decisions to adapt our production to the current marine industry realities and position the business for future growth.” Alumacraft, founded in 1946, was one of the first aluminum boat manufacturers in the U-S.
>>2 Dead in Amish Buggy Crash in Fillmore County
(Sumner Center, MN) — Two people are dead after a crash between a vehicle and an Amish buggy this morning (MON) in southeast Minnesota’s Fillmore County. It happened near Sumner Center, just over 6 miles from Racine. Two other people were hospitalized at Mayo Clinic in Rochester with unknown injuries.
>>Renewed search for Neveah Kingbird, Indigenous Teen Missing for two years
(Bemidji, MN) — Over the next two days, Bemidji police and an organization called “Bring Neveah Kingbird Home” is leading volunteers in a search for the Indigenous teen who went missing almost two years ago. Kingbird was 15 years old when she was last seen leaving a residence the morning of October 22nd, 2021. Kingbird is described as 5-4, 120 pounds, with black hair and blonde highlights when she went missing.
>>Scammers targeting those no longer eligible for Medical Assistance
(St. Paul, MN) — State officials are warning Minnesotans who are no longer eligible for the state’s Medicaid program (Medical Assistance) about a health insurance scam. The alert is for those who submitted paperwork to renew Medical Assistance benefits but were notified that they’re no longer eligible, and now must find other health insurance. Officials say scammers are pretending to be from the state-run health insurance marketplace, MNsure, and in some cases have taken money from people after telling them they must pay for help enrolling in a plan, or pay premiums up-front over the phone. C-E-O Libby Caulum (CULL-um) says MNsure.org is the safest place to shop for and buy health insurance, and certified assisters are available for free help with applications and enrollment.
>>3 Dead, 1 Critically Injured in Roseville Incident
(Roseville, MN) — Roseville authorities say a Saturday incident that left three men dead and one critically injured could have involved hallucinogenic drugs. The three who died are identified as John Thao, Fong Vang, and Meng Vang, all 32 years old with the surviving victim identified as 33-year-old Nou Xiong. Fang is suspected of killing the other two men, wounding Xiong, then killing himself.
>>George Floyd memorial murals moving to new home
(Minneapolis, MN) — Over a thousand plywood protest murals created after the police murder of George Floyd are on their way today (MON) to their new home — the Northrop King Building, an arts center in northeast Minneapolis. “Memorialize the Movement,” a grassroots organization addressing “the lack of racial and economic justice in Minneapolis,” is categorizing and moving the pieces to its new location, due to its current one being neither well-lit nor climate-controlled. The group plans to hold the murals in its new location for 5 years, allowing time to try to locate the various artists and learn each panel’s backstory.
>>Rochester Man Arrested for Groping Young Girl
(Rochester, MN) — A Rochester man is in custody after allegedly groping a young girl at an apartment complex over the weekend. Police responded to the complex around 2 p.m. Saturday, called for an “unknown problem.” There they took reports that a 39-year-old man had sexual contact with an 11-year-old girl in the hallway of the complex. The suspect is being held in Olmsted County for fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.
>>Essentia Health CEO Joins Gov. Walz’s Task Force
(Duluth, MN) — Essentia Health says its CEO, Dr. David Herman, will be one of 14 members of Governor Tim Walz’s task force to make recommendations on the future of academic health at the University of Minnesota. The task force will meet for the first time next Thursday, October 5th, and is expected to make recommendations to Walz by January 15th of next year.
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