>>Iron Range DFL Senator Pushes Back on Walz Boundary Waters Mining Order
(St. Paul, MN) — Not all Democrats are backing Governor Tim Walz’s executive order aimed at preventing copper-nickel mining near the Boundary Waters. Iron Range DFL Senator Grant Hauschild says mining proposals should be allowed to go through scientific permitting and environmental review rather than being decided through executive action. Hauschild says he would oppose a project if that review determined mining could not be done safely without harming the Boundary Waters. Walz’s order directs state agencies to use their regulatory authority to prevent copper-nickel mining within the Boundary Waters watershed. The action follows a congressional move overturning federal protections that had blocked mining in the area.
>>Demuth Promises Early Crackdown on Fraud if Elected Governor
(St. Paul, MN) — Republican gubernatorial candidate Lisa Demuth says combating fraud would be a priority during her first 90 days in office. Demuth says she would replace all current state commissioners and deputy commissioners and create an executive-level fraud oversight committee led by her running mate, Ryan Wilson. She is also proposing tougher consequences for people convicted of fraud, including repayment of stolen money, asset seizures, and lifetime bans from receiving state benefits. Demuth says she would also work with lawmakers to prevent fraudulently obtained state money from leaving Minnesota.
>>Minnesota Families Encouraged to Complete School Benefits Application
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota education officials are reminding families to complete an Application for Educational Benefits as new federal income guidelines take effect. Minnesota provides free school meals to all students, but the applications help schools qualify for federal funding and determine eligibility for other assistance. The Minnesota Department of Education says benefits can include SUN Bucks for summer food assistance and help covering certain school fees. Families can apply through their local school district at any time during the school year.
>>Ellison Opposes X.AI Challenge to Minnesota Nudification Law
(St. Paul, MN) — Attorney General Keith Ellison is asking a federal judge to reject X.AI’s latest attempt to block Minnesota’s new anti-nudification law. A hearing is set for today (Wed. a.m.) at the company’s request for a preliminary injunction. Ellison argues X.AI has not shown it would suffer irreparable harm and is unlikely to succeed in its lawsuit. The bipartisan law prohibits commercial platforms from offering tools that use a real person’s likeness to create synthetic intimate images. It took effect August 1st.
>>Wildfire Smoke Creates Challenges for Minnesota High School Sports
(Undated) — Wildfire smoke is creating challenges for Minnesota high school sports teams. Some schools have moved practices indoors or adjusted workouts when air quality reaches unhealthy levels. Minnesota State High School League guidance calls for moving practices indoors when the Air Quality Index reaches 150. At 200 or higher, outdoor activities should be moved indoors, postponed or canceled. Coaches say finding enough indoor space for multiple fall sports can be difficult when smoke forces teams inside.
>>Suspect Arrested After Burglaries at Two Hinckley Schools
(Hinckley, MN) — A suspect is in custody following burglaries at two schools in Hinckley. Hinckley Elementary and Hinckley-Finlayson High School were broken into early Tuesday morning. Authorities say stolen items have since been recovered and returned. No additional details about the suspect or what was stolen have been released.
>>Vacant Duluth Home Destroyed in Fire
(Duluth, MN) — A vacant home in Duluth is a total loss after a fire Tuesday afternoon. Firefighters at the city’s downtown headquarters spotted flames and smoke coming from the home. Crews arrived to find the two-story home fully engulfed, with flames also spreading to nearby trees. The front porch collapsed shortly after firefighters arrived, and unsafe conditions forced crews to battle the fire from outside. One firefighter was treated at the scene for heat exhaustion and is expected to recover fully. No other injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
>>Otter Tail County Zoo Facing Possible Closure
(Otter Tail County, MN) – A popular family-run zoo in Otter Tail County could soon close its doors. The owner of Trowbridge Creek Zoo in Vergas says years of declining attendance have pushed the operation to the brink. In a social media post, owner Dustin Ebersviller said the financial pressure of caring for animals and maintaining the facility has become overwhelming. He says small zoos have only about three months each year to earn enough revenue to support animals year-round. The zoo is home to zebras, camels, lemurs, capybaras, and other animals. Ebersviller is asking the public for support in keeping the zoo open.
>>St. Paul Man Accused of Shooting at Eagan Police Officers
(St. Paul, MN) – A 37-year-old St. Paul man is facing attempted murder charges after prosecutors say he fired at Eagan police officers responding to a domestic disturbance Friday morning. Authorities say Adrian Ricardo Flowers pulled a handgun during a struggle with officers, firing one shot that narrowly missed an officer’s head. Prosecutors say he then pointed the gun at a second officer and pulled the trigger, but the weapon jammed. Officers were able to disarm and arrest him. Flowers is charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer and other felonies. He’s being held in the Dakota County Jail on $1 million bail without conditions.
>>Lakeville Man Sentenced in Feeding Our Future Fraud Scheme
(St. Paul, MN) – A Lakeville man has been sentenced to six-and-a-half years in federal prison for his role in the massive Feeding Our Future fraud case. Federal prosecutors say 37-year-old Abdinasir Mahamed Abshir falsely claimed to serve thousands of meals a day to children and collected more than $5 million through fraudulent reimbursements. Abshir pleaded guilty to wire fraud and was also convicted of witness tampering after trying to interfere with a cooperating witness. He was sentenced to 78 months in prison and ordered to pay more than $2.2 million in restitution. Authorities say the fraud was part of the $250 million Feeding Our Future scheme.
