>>Record Temps
(Chanhassen, MN) — Temperatures in Duluth and the Twin Cities Monday tied records set nearly a century ago. Meteorologists with the National Weather Service recorded 98-degree temperatures in Minneapolis and St. Paul, tying a record set in 1925. The temperature hit 89 degrees in Duluth, tying a record set in 1897. Temperatures are expected to drop after today.
>>Senate Bonding Tour Continues
(St. Paul, MN) — State Senate lawmakers are in northeast Minnesota today (9/5) through Thursday, hearing pitches from projects competing for state bonding (borrowing) dollars. Democrats control both chambers of the legislature but still need Republicans’ help to approve borrowing packages. 650 million dollars is available based on the current budget forecast, but that number could change in the November update.
>>MN Political Reporter Gene Lahammer Dead at 90
(Minnetonka, MN) — Longtime Minnesota political reporter Gene Lahammer has died at the age of 90. Lahammer passed away Monday at his Minnetonka home. Lahammer was known for his 16 years of political reporting for the Star Tribune and 50 years of election night reporting for the Associated Press (AP). Lahammer’s funeral is planned for Friday in Edina.
>>MPCA Issues Orange Category Air Quality Alert for Northwestern MN
(Undated) — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is issuing an air quality alert for northwest Minnesota due to smoke from Canadian wildfires. The alert will run until 9 a.m. Wednesday. The affected areas include Alexandria, Ortonville, Bemidji, East Grand Forks, Moorhead, Roseau, and the tribal nations of Leech Lake and Red Lake. The alert is in the orange category, which is unhealthy for sensitive groups.
>>Reward for Missing News Anchor Jodi Huisentruit Doubles
(Mason City, IA) — The reward for information on a Mason City news anchor who’s been missing for 28 years, Jodi Huisentruit, has been doubled. The $25,000 reward was upped to $50,000 Monday morning by Private Investigator Steve Ridge, who says, “Money can be a powerful incentive to motivate someone who is otherwise reluctant to come forward.” Jodi Huisentruit disappeared on her way to work at KIMT on the morning of June 27th, 1995.
>>Missing Man in St. Louis County with Parkinson’s
(Willow Valley, MN) — St. Louis County officials are asking for the public’s help in finding a vulnerable missing man. 63-year-old Glenn Stevenson was last seen walking near Gheen, on Saturday morning. Officials say Stevenson suffers from Parkinson’s and hasn’t taken his medication in several days. Stevenson is described as 5 feet 10 inches tall, 130 pounds, and last seen wearing a t-shirt under a green and blue flannel and blue jeans. Anyone with information should call 911.
>>Two People in Custody Following 7 Robberies in Minneapolis
(Minneapolis, MN) — Two people are in custody in connection to a string of robberies Monday morning in south Minneapolis. Police say 7 robberies occurred between midnight and 2 a.m. with several either held at gun- or knifepoint, multiple assaults, and two victims requiring medical attention. Officers say they arrested an 18-year-old woman and a 17-year-old boy after finding them in a van full of items matching descriptions of stolen property, as well as a knife and a gun matching the description of ones used in some of the robberies.
>>MN National Guard Team, Helicopters to Assist Wildfire Fight in Louisiana
(St. Paul, MN) — A Minnesota National Guard team is scheduled to leave for Louisiana today (Tuesday) to assist local crews battling severe wildfires. Governor Walz says the state is sending ten to 12 soldiers and two Blackhawk helicopters. The governor of Louisiana specifically requested aviation support from other states as the wildfires continued to spread. Helicopter crews from the Oklahoma, Tennessee, Alabama, and Arkansas National Guard have also been dumping water on the flames.