>>Former President Obama Endorses Harris-Walz Ticket at DNC
(Chicago, IL) — Governor Tim Walz addresses the Democratic National Convention this evening (Wed) after he and Kamala Harris got a resounding endorsement last night in Chicago from former President Barack Obama. Obama told the delegates about Walz, “I love this guy…. Born in a small town, served his country, taught kids, coached football…. You can tell those flannel shirts he wears don’t come from some political consultant. They come from his closet, and they have been through some stuff!” Obama said Harris will have an “outstanding partner” in Governor Tim Walz. Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly accused Walz of allowing Minneapolis to burn during the 2020 riots following the police murder of George Floyd.
>>Harris Increases Lead in Minnesota in New Poll
(St. Paul, MN) — A new poll suggests Vice President Kamala Harris increasing her lead over former President Donald Trump in Minnesota. A swing-state tracker poll of more than 500 likely Minnesota voters shows the Democratic presidential nominee with a nearly seven-point lead over the former president. Redfield and Wilton Strategies says the lead is not statistically significant, noting it is within the poll’s margin of error. The same poll in July showed Harris leading Trump by about five percent. The latest poll is the first conducted since Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate.
>>Final Day of Minnesota State Fair Preparations
(Falcon Heights, MN) — One more day until the gates open at the Minnesota State Fair. Spokesperson Maria Hayden says there will be plenty of activity on the fairgrounds today (Wed) as vendors put the finishing touches on their booths. She says they will be ready when the gates open at 7 am Thursday. Hayden says the new Official Minnesota State Fair app can help plan your trip with interactive maps, the new foods list, vendor locations, and daily schedules. This is the final day (Wed) to purchase pre-fair discount tickets for the Great Minnesota Get-Together.
>>DNR Fish Pond Stocked for Minnesota State Fair
(Falcon Heights, MN) — The D-N-R’s outdoor fish pond is stocked and ready for this year’s Minnesota State Fair. Fisheries supervisor Genevieve Furtner says they have 35 to 40 different species of mid- to large-size fish from our state. She says they have some “really big” fun ones like the paddlefish, the sturgeon, the gar, some big muskie as well. Other species include bass, perch, panfish, and nongame fish like the redhorse. Furtner says these fish spend the other 50 weeks of the year in a holding pond in the Twin Cities area. The D-N-R’s live fish exhibit opened in 1905.
>>Cass Lake Man Charged with Killing Brother in Beltrami County
(Ten Lakes Township, MN) — Investigators are releasing more information about a deadly domestic disturbance near Bemidji in Beltrami County. Forty-eight-year-old Arthur Jones of Cass Lake was charged with second-degree murder Tuesday. Sheriff’s deputies went to a home in Ten Lakes Township early Saturday morning and allegedly found Jones holding his brother in a chokehold that he refused to release until stunned with a Taser. Jones’ brother later died at a nearby hospital.
>>Mounds View Woman Charged in Fatal Coon Rapids Crash
(Coon Rapids, MN) — A Mounds View woman faces criminal vehicular homicide and drunken driving charges in connection with a crash Sunday in Coon Rapids. Police said an S-U-V tried to turn left when it was struck by a pickup truck hauling a trailer. The S-U-V passenger, 26-year-old Melinda Thao of Coon Rapids, was brought to a hospital where she and her five-month-old unborn baby died. The S-U-V driver suffered broken ribs. Authorities say the pickup driver, 20-year-old Makayla Richardson, admitted to drinking alcohol before driving, speeding, and not having a valid license.
>>Intrepid USA to Pay $3.85M to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations
(Minneapolis, MN) — Federal prosecutors say nationwide home healthcare and hospice provider Intrepid U-S-A has agreed to pay $3.85 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations. The U-S alleges the Dallas, Texas-based company submitted claims to Medicare for patients who did not qualify or weren’t properly certified as eligible for the home healthcare benefit, where the services either weren’t medically necessary, provided by an untrained staff, or not provided at all. From 2016 to 2021, prosecutors also allege three Intrepid hospice facilities admitted patients to hospice care who were ineligible due to not being terminally ill or continued providing services to discharged patients.
>>Albert Lea Kite Festival This Saturday
(Albert Lea, MN) — A nonprofit organization that supports inclusive activities in Albert Lea is holding a kite festival this weekend. The Let Inclusion Fly festival will feature giant kites, face painting, games, a dunk tank and other activities. Money raised through the festival will support the All Together Inclusive Playground and Miracle Field. The festival is from 11 am to 4 pm at Edgewater Park in Albert Lea.
