>>Few details after three found dead at Brainerd Lakes area resort
(Breezy Point, MN) — Authorities in the Brainerd Lakes area are releasing few details and continue their investigation after three people were found dead at a resort Tuesday night. Breezy Point police went to Whitebirch Resort on a call for assistance. They haven’t said what led up to the deaths, but did say “there is no indication of any ongoing threat to the public.” Names and hometowns of the three people haven’t been released. The state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is assisting with the investigation. Whitebirch Resort is just a few blocks from Pelican Lake.
>>MDH Offering Free COVID-19 Tests Again While Supplies Last
(Minneapolis, MN) — Free COVID-19 tests are again available for order as the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) resumes the program due to the uptick in COVID cases. Minnesotans can order eight free at-home rapid COVID tests, once per month, while supplies last. Officials with the CDC expect a new and up-to-date COVID booster this fall.
>>Ellison investigating companies that promise student loan forgiveness
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison says his office is investigating 52 student-loan debt-relief companies — many headquartered in California — suspected of misrepresenting fees and services and promising student loan forgiveness, which only the federal government can offer. Ellison says student loan costs are already too high, and fraudsters preying on borrowers is “offensive.” Ellison is asking any Minnesotan to contact his office who’s encountered a company promising to help them get their student loan forgiven. The A-G says, “We’ve held companies like this accountable before and we’re doing it again.”
>>Rain not enough to extinguish wildfire near Barnum, ground crews continue working
(Barnum, MN) — Roughly a half-inch of rain dampened down an estimated 70-acre wildfire southeast of Barnum in Carlton County in northeast Minnesota, but was nowhere near enough to put it out and ground crews continue working to establish a control line with that blaze only about 10 percent contained. Officials say about six residences were evacuated Tuesday and occupants of three have been allowed to return, but around four structures are still threatened by the fire.
>>Edina Ex-Doctor Accused Of Molesting Several Patients Gets Sentencing Of Home Monitoring
(Minneapolis, MN) — A former Edina plastic surgeon is agreeing to a plea deal after being accused of molesting several patients. Christopher Kovanda was initially charged in November with two gross misdemeanor counts of fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct from the alleged assaults of two women in 2019 and 2021. He agreed Tuesday to plead guilty to gross misdemeanor counts of mistreating patients. Kovanda also is required to serve a month-and-a-half of electronic home monitoring. Sentencing is set for November 1st.
>>13 organizations getting state grants to fund research on Alzheimer’s, dementia
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Board on Aging has issued 750-thousand-dollars in grants to 13 organizations across the state to help fund their research on Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Spokesperson Kari Benson says the grants focus on “trying to reach adults early on in their process where they are beginning to experience some symptoms of memory loss [and] wondering if they might have Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia. Benson says research shows early screening and diagnosis make a noticeable difference in managing symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
>>LGBTQ+ advocates say Kids Online Safety Act will limit access to transgender, queer resources
(St. Paul, MN) — LGBTQ+ advocates are criticizing a bill the U-S Senate is again considering — the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). Chair of the Minnesota House Queer Caucus, Representative Leigh Finke says Senate sponsors of the bill have stated they will use KOSA to limit access to transgender and queer resources. Finke says, “At a time when our community is under desperate attack already we cannot just allow further isolation and removal of helpful and affirming resources from our kids.” KOSA was originally introduced in 2022 but failed to pass. The current version of KOSA would allow state attorneys-general to censor internet content for anyone 16 and under.
>>Rochester Man Enter Plea Agreement to Child Pornography Charges
(Rochester, MN) — A Rochester man charged with possession of child pornography has finalized a plea agreement and will be sentenced next month. 24-year-old Dalton Berndt pleaded guilty to two counts last week, and under the terms a third charge would be dropped. Police charged Berndt in April after cyber tips involving suspected child sexual abuse were emailed to an address associated with him, which led to the discovery of child sexual abuse material on his devices. Berndt’s sentencing hearing is October 25th.
>>Albert Lea Artist Wins 2023 Waterfowl Stamp Contest
(Albert Lea, MN) — An Albert Lea artist is winner of this year’s Minnesota waterfowl stamp contest. Mark Kness’s winning entry is an acrylic painting of a ring-neck duck. Second places goes to Jake Levisen from Austin and his ring-neck duck painting with open acrylics, soft body acrylics, and water-mixable oils. The winning waterfowl stamp can be purchased in combination with a hunting license, or as a collectible.
>>U-of-M professor hiking 350 miles to raise money for brain cancer research, celebrate 50th birthday
(Undated) A University of Minnesota Medical School professor is hiking 350 miles to raise money for two brain cancer research charities and celebrate his 50th birthday. Doctor Matthew Hunt left Ely (EE’-lee) today (Wednesday) on a route across northeastern Minnesota and down to Duluth that’s expected to take five weeks. Hunt is raising funds to support the Glenn Garcelon Foundation and Humor to Fight the Tumor. His Facebook page is called “B-3-C Backpacking to Beat Brain Cancer. ”
>>Fargo Woman Takes Gold in Jiu-Jitsu Masters World Championship
(Fargo, N.D.) — A Fargo woman took home two gold medals after winning the Jiu-Jitsu Masters World Championships in Las Vegas. Katie Stensgard says she trains every day at Fargo’s Academy of Combat Arts gym and has competed in tournaments across America, earning her Blue Belt in her Masters age category.
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