>>State Rep. Reintroducing Flock Camera Privacy Bill
(Shakopee, MN) – With all the controversies surrounding Flock cameras and license plate readers, DFL state Representative Brad Tabke of Shakopee says he will reintroduce his bill protecting Minnesotans’ private data. Tabke tells MNN that the cameras are helpful to law enforcement, but he added, “They’re very clear right now that our private data is being illegally accessed and misused by other entities, and we just can’t have that. If we cannot protect Minnesotans’ private data, these should absolutely be banned.” Tabke’s legislation last session didn’t get out of committee because Republicans blocked it with a 7-7 vote. A similar bill is expected to be introduced in the Senate during the next session.
>>Man Injured After Pickup Rolls into Star Lake
(Otter Tail County, MN) — A 76-year-old man suffered minor injuries after falling from his pickup while launching a boat at the Star Lake Public Access Saturday. The Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office says the man was backing his boat and trailer toward the water when he opened the driver’s-side door, looked back to judge his distance from the dock, and fell from the vehicle while the pickup was still in reverse. The truck continued into the lake and came to a stop in about five feet of water. A towing company later recovered the pickup and trailer without incident.
>>Regions Hospital EMS Team Ready for State Fair
(St. Paul, MN) – The Minnesota State Fair begins Thursday. One of the busiest places you’ll find every day during the fair is the medical aid stations. Dr. Aaron Burnett is the state and Region’s EMS Medical Director. He said, “We become the busiest ER in the state during the 12 days of the Fair. We see over 4,000 patients at our aid stations over the 12 days.” Dr. Burnett says there will be two medical aid stations at the fair. One is near the Midway and police station, and the other is in the 4-H Building. This will be the 18th straight year the Regions Hospital EMS Medical Team will be stationed at the State Fair.
>>Minnesota Refugees From Myanmar Facing Deportation Concerns After Losing TPS
(St. Paul, MN) — Refugees from Myanmar are facing deportation concerns after losing temporary protected status. A ruling on August 7th ended protections for about 12-hundred people in Minnesota and 4,000 nationwide. Many of those affected by the ruling are a part of Minnesota’s Karen community, whose homeland remains under military rule and ongoing conflict. Immigration advocates say losing the protections doesn’t automatically make someone deportable, but are urging affected residents to seek legal advice. The State Department continues to warn Americans about traveling to Myanmar due to the ongoing armed conflict.
>>Fire Crews Nearing Full Containment of Camp Fire
(Ely, MN) — Fire crews are now nearing full containment of the Camp Fire. Officials say control lines now surround 97-percent of the fire’s perimeter and are expected to prevent further spreading. Crews are demobilizing at the Camp Fire and shifting personnel toward larger fires along the Echo Trail. The combined Thumb and Wolfpack fire is 51-percent contained, while the Bear Trap and Sioux fires are 55-percent and 76-percent contained, respectively. The Little Knife Fire remains 90-percent contained as the total firefighting force falls to nearly 600 personnel.
>>Low Ridership Threatening Rochester Public Transit Fund
(Rochester, MN) — Low ridership is threatening the long-term stability of Rochester’s public transit fund. Under current conditions, the report says the nearly five-point-three-million-dollar reserve could be depleted by the end of 2030. The system provides about 650-thousand passenger trips per year, down from more than two million before the pandemic. A new transit operator is taking over daily operations next month and will explore route changes, new technology, and more. The City Council is reviewing the financial outlook and proposed solutions during its Monday study session.
>>Teachers Union Boycotting Target Over Silence During MN ICE Surge
(Minneapolis, MN) — A national teachers union is boycotting Target over its silence during Minnesota’s ICE surge. The American Federation of Teachers is coordinating the campaign with the AFL-CIO, which represents approximately 15-million workers across the country. Members are being urged to skip Target during back-to-school shopping and spend their money with local retailers. The union says Target failed to condemn the federal immigration surge, even after Border Patrol detained two U.S. citizen employees at its Richfield store. Union leaders say members will shop elsewhere until Target takes a stronger public stand against ICE enforcement.
