>>Eagan, White Bear Lake Bringing Back School Resource Officers
(Eagan, MN) — Police departments in Eagan and White Bear Lake are putting school resource officers (S-R-Os) back in local school buildings. The Eagan P-D says in a social media post, “We are happy to announce we’ve reinstated our S-R-O program and look forward to working alongside staff and students in School District 196!” White Bear Lake officials say officers are returning to schools in the district today (Friday). Around 40 law enforcement agencies pulled their S-R-Os over a new law that restricts the types of restraint holds officers can use on students. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison recently released an updated opinion aimed at clarifying the statute.
>>Bemidji Hospital Patient Accused of Leading Pursuit in Stolen Car
(Bemidji, MN) — A Bemidji hospital patient is accused of stealing a car Thursday morning and leading police on a pursuit. Officers say a red “Smart” car was stolen from Sanford Medical Center and it took off at a high rate of speed when they attempted to stop it. Authorities deflated the tires on the vehicle before it struck median cable barriers on U.S. Highway 2 and rolled over. The 55-year-old driver from Deer River was taken back to Sanford Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
>>Red Cross in Minnesota Seeking Donations During Blood Shortage
(Minneapolis, MN) — The American Red Cross is hoping Minnesotans will roll up their sleeves and give blood this fall. Spokeswoman Lynette Nyman says the blood supply dropped 25 percent in August and the shortage is serious. She says, “Sadly, there are many appointments to fill – many patients out there waiting for lifesaving blood. We do have a history in Minnesota of filling those appointments. Hopefully, some of those folks will hear the call and step up to donate.” Nyman says blood distribution to hospitals is outpacing blood donations. You can find a local blood drive or donation location at redcross-dot-org.
>>Conagra Fined for Air Quality Violations at Waseca Plant
(St. Paul, MN) — Conagra Brands is being fined more than a million dollars by the state for air quality violations at its Waseca vegetable procession facility. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says the company released hydrogen sulfide above allowed levels more than 25 hundred times between 2020 and 2022. In addition to the fine, Conagra spent more than seven million dollars on a new filtration system to reduce hydrogen sulfide emissions. The M-P-C-A says the Waseca plant has not had any air quality violations since the new system went online earlier this year.
>>Minnesota Turkey Production On Track
(Undated) — The U.S. turkey industry is showing signs of re-expanding. The U-S-D-A projects 219 million turkeys will be raised in 2023, up four percent from 2022 but well below the most recent high of 245 million raised in 2017. The industry has been hit hard by highly pathogenic avian influenza several times in recent years, with the most recent widescale outbreak late last year and early this year. Minnesota is expected to produce 39 million heads, a five-percent increase from 2022. Minnesota ranks number one in turkey production.
>>Advanced Manufacturing Centers Opens at St. Cloud Tech
(St. Cloud, MN) — St. Cloud Technical and Community College is celebrating the grand opening of the Advanced Manufacturing Center this week. The Center expands and renovates current space and installs state-of-the-art equipment to create a learning space similar to what students can expect to see in the industry. President Loir Kloos says,”What was so cool about this project is that it really evolved from a manufacturing training lab dedicated to that to an advanced manufacturing center.” Following the grand opening ceremony, guests were able to view displays about the history of S-C-T–CC, as the school celebrates its 75 anniversary this year.
>>Owatonna Named MN 2023 Retail Community
(Owatonna, MN) — The Minnesota Retailers Association is naming Owatonna as its 2023 Minnesota Retail Community due to the city’s commitment to making a supportive business environment. Owatonna is the only recipient of the award, which will be a part of the 2023-2024 MN Retail Champion program. Eleven other organizations will also be recognized.
>>Broadway on Hennepin Season Draws 375K to Orpheum Theatre
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Broadway on Hennepin season at the historic Orpheum Theatre in downtown Minneapolis generated an estimated 115 million dollars in economic activity. Hennepin Theatre Trust C-E-O Todd Duesing (DOO’- sing) says productions included Wicked, The Tina Turner Musical, Les Misérables, Jagged Little Pill, and Hamilton. He says, “I’m really pleased that our variety of shows in the Broadway series represents an opportunity to open eyes and minds and hearts, but also creates really great opportunities for families, and friends to enjoy live entertainment together.” Duesing says more than 375 thousand people attended the 2022-2023 Broadway productions.
