>>Farm Bureau Disappointed as Senate Farm Bill Stalls
(Washington, D.C) – The Minnesota Farm Bureau is expressing disappointment after the Senate Agriculture Committee failed to advance the Agriculture Act of 2026. Farm Bureau President Dan Glessing says the measure included several priorities for Minnesota farmers, including year-round sales of E-15 gasoline. Glessing says farmers have pushed for the legislation for more than three years and that delaying action creates continued uncertainty for the agricultural industry. He is urging lawmakers on the committee to work together and move the farm bill forward.
>>Farm Bill Stalls in Senate Agriculture Committee
(Washington, DC) — The Senate Agriculture Committee failed to advance a bipartisan Farm Bill Thursday after lawmakers reached an impasse over nutrition funding. Minnesota Senator Tina Smith says she could not support the bill because it did not delay proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which she says would shift about 140 million dollars in administrative costs to Minnesota counties over the next two years. Smith says she will continue working with colleagues on a bipartisan compromise. She also says she wants any final Farm Bill to include year-round sales of E-15 gasoline and additional support for farmers and rural communities.
>>More Boundary Waters Entry Points Reopening Next Week
(Duluth, MN) — More entry points into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness will reopen next week as wildfire conditions continue to improve. The Superior National Forest says the Kekekabic and Pow Wow Trail entry points are scheduled to reopen August 11th. Permit cancellations remain in effect for the remaining 17 closed entry points. More than 70 percent of the one-million-acre wilderness is now open. Forest officials urge visitors to plan carefully, monitor weather and fire conditions, carry multiple forms of communication, and be prepared for the challenges of traveling in a remote wilderness area.
>>Lake Levels Continue to Drop Across North-Central Minnesota Due to Drought
(St. Paul, MN) — Persistent drought continues to take a toll on lake levels across north-central Minnesota, where the Department of Natural Resources says many areas are now experiencing a “storage drought.” State Climatologist Luigi Romolo says the region has received 12 to 16 inches less precipitation than normal over the past four years, leaving lakes, groundwater and soil moisture significantly depleted. The DNR says it will take months of well-above-average rainfall, not just a few heavy storms, to restore water levels. Officials also remind lake property owners to avoid altering shorelines or lake outlets, noting that naturally low water levels benefit fish, aquatic plants and overall lake health.
>>Journalist Seeks Dismissal of Charges Tied to St. Paul Church Protest
(St. Paul, MN) – An independent Minnesota journalist charged in connection with a protest that disrupted a St. Paul church service is asking a federal judge to dismiss the case. Georgia Fort is among 39 people charged following a January demonstration at Cities Church, where activists protested the congregation’s ties to a local ICE official. Fort argues her actions were protected by the First Amendment, saying she was reporting on a newsworthy event by observing, recording video, conducting interviews, and sharing information with the public. Three other journalists were also named in the indictment.
>>Judge Allows Campaign Complaint Against Mike Lindell to Move Forward
(Undated) – A complaint against Minnesota Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Lindell is moving forward after a judge found probable cause that he may have violated state campaign law. The case stems from a July Fourth parade in Delano, where Lindell and campaign staff handed out pillows bearing campaign messages. State law prohibits giving voters items of monetary value to influence an election. Lindell argued the pillows were purchased wholesale for less than five dollars each and said the campaign took steps to comply with the law. The case now heads to a panel of administrative law judges for a hearing.
>>Shakopee Waste Company Fined $47,000 for Hazardous Waste Violations
(Shakopee, MN) – A Shakopee waste management company is paying a 47-thousand-dollar fine after state investigators found multiple hazardous waste violations. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says Daniels Sharpsmart intentionally stored 132 shipments of hazardous waste between 2023 and 2025 without the required permit. Investigators also found the company failed to report 19 rejected hazardous waste shipments and improperly handled several others. In addition to paying the fine, Daniels Sharpsmart has agreed to stop unpermitted storage and to comply with state-approved infectious waste management requirements.
>>MSP Had to Delay Flights Thursday Due to Equipment Outages
(Minneapolis, MN) – An equipment outage caused major travel disruptions at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration says a regional equipment failure prompted a ground stop Thursday afternoon, halting all departures and limiting arriving flights. Departure delays averaged about 45 minutes and were continuing to increase, according to the flight-tracking service FlightAware. The FAA says the possibility of extending the delays remains moderate.
