>>Phillips to Kick Off Presidential Campaign in New Hampshire
(Concord, NH) — Minnesota 3rd District Congressman Dean Phillips will jump into the race for president today (Fri 10am) in New Hampshire, challenging President Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination. Phillips said on social media, “I am excited to announce my candidacy for President in 2024. It’s time to put our country back together again – and use our differences to make us stronger. It’s time to repair America. ” But he’s not getting support from the top Democrats in Minnesota. D-F-L Party chair Ken Martin says Phillips is “not going to end up finding the support that he needs. I think it’ll be like a cold glass of water thrown in his face.” Governor Tim Walz says, “We’re going to have our nominee in President Biden, and that will get done and we’ll move on.”
>>Finstad, House Republicans Urge Speaker Johnson to Pass Farm Bill
(Washington, DC) — Minnesota Congressman Brad Finstad and 60 other Republicans are calling on new House Speaker Mike Johnson to push for swift passage of a new Farm Bill. The G-O-P lawmakers say they’re committed to passing a bill that supports rural America and includes a strong farm safety net and crop insurance program. Democrats claim the Republican majority in the House wants to cut 50 billion dollars in funding for nutrition and conservation programs. Minnesota Representatives Pete Stauber and Michelle Fischbach were co-signers of a letter to Speaker Johnson. .
>>Senator Smith Helps Introduce (CHILD) Labor Act
(Washington, DC) — Minnesota Senator Tina Smith is co-sponsoring bipartisan legislation that aims to protect children from “exploitative” child labor practices. The Children Harmed in Life-threatening or Dangerous (CHILD) Labor Act cracks down on employers who violate child labor laws with harsher penalties and allows exploited children to sue employers. In a statement, Smith said “We’ve seen deeply troubling examples in Minnesota – meatpacking plants and slaughterhouse floors are no place for children. Companies that take advantage of children and subject them to dangerous work environments must be held accountable.”
>>Rochester Police Issue Drug Overdose Warning
(Rochester, MN) — Police in Rochester are issuing a warning to the public after multiple drug overdose cases this week. Officers say there were three O-Ds early Thursday in different parts of the city. Authorities were also called to an overdose involving a 15-year-old girl on Tuesday. They administered the anti-overdose drug naloxone in each case and each patient survived. The Rochester P-D says the safety of the community is important and urges anyone struggling with drug addiction to explore treatment and recovery options.
>>BCA Cancels Missing Person Alert After Body of St. Paul Man Found
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota B-C-A canceled the missing person alert for a St. Paul man after a body was recovered near Interstate 35-E. Police say the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the body found Tuesday as 53-year-old Eric McCloud. Authorities were asking for the public’s help finding McCloud who hadn’t been in contact with his family since October 8th. No word yet on his cause of death.
>>Halloween Capital of the World Celebration in Anoka
(Anoka, MN) — Up to 60 thousand people are expected in downtown Anoka tomorrow (Sat 1pm) for the annual Grand Day Parade. Halloween Capital of the World committee chair Linda Evavold (EE’-vuh-vold) says it’s so exciting and they plan all year for this weekend. She says, “And we get people from all over that come, even out of state. In fact, we had a guy that was in the Halloween store that is coming back from Tennessee because he’s so excited and loves the town so much.” The Big Parade of Little People kicks off the Halloween festivities today (Fri 1:15pm ) in Anoka. There’s a Halloween tent party tonight and walking ghost tours hosted by the Anoka County Historical Society.
>>Sauk Rapids Man to Release Song “Benton County Lemonade”
(Nashville, TN) — A Sauk Rapids man living in Nashville is releasing a new song and E-P that traces his roots back to the North Star state. “Benton County Lemonade,” a song title Aaron Clafton says he’s had saved in his phone for years, is the title track off his E-P to be released November 9th. Clafton says he’s proud of how it turned out because it captures what it’s like to grow up in central Minnesota. He notes that Benton County Lemonade is a Canadian Whiskey mixer that some people drank when he was younger.