>>Poll Shows Walz Approval Hits New Low, Trump Ties Previous Low
(Undated) — A new KSTP/SurveyUSA poll shows declining approval for Governor Tim Walz and President Donald Trump among Minnesota voters. Walz’s overall approval stands at 41 percent, with 55 percent disapproving, giving him a new low net rating of minus-14. President Trump has 37 percent approval and 61 percent disapproval, tying his previous low net rating of minus-24. Meanwhile, approval of the Minnesota Legislature remains relatively steady at 35 percent, up one point from last month.
>>Poll Shows Tight Races for Governor, U.S. Senate Ahead of Primary
(Undated) — A new KSTP/SurveyUSA poll shows two closely watched Minnesota primary races remain competitive just days before Tuesday’s election. In the Republican race for governor, Mike Lindell leads House Speaker Lisa Demuth by six percentage points. The DFL U.S. Senate contest is even closer, with Congresswoman Angie Craig holding a two-point edge over former Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. Meanwhile, Michele Tafoya holds a commanding 35-point lead over Royce White in the Republican U.S. Senate primary.
>>Senate Passes Bill to Intensify Sanctions on Russia for Ukraine Attack
(Washington, D.C.) – The Senate has overwhelmingly passed a bill to intensify sanctions on Russia’s wartime economy in a victory for supporters of Ukraine. The vote was 86-11 after more than a year of negotiations on the legislation. Minnesota Senator Tina Smith said, “Combined with Ukraine’s recent successes on the battlefield, these new sanctions will help us force Putin to bring an end to this terrible war.” The bill now heads to the House, where lawmakers have already left Washington for their August recess.
>>House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committees Introduce Wildfire Bill
(Washington, D.C.) – Top Democrats on the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committees introduced new wildfire legislation in Washington, D.C. this week. Spearheaded by House Ag Ranking Member Angie Craig (DFL-MN02), the legislation is called the Wildfire Response and Readiness Act. The bill invests in wildfire prevention and research and increases the pay to wildland firefighters so agencies can recruit and retain these firefighters. So far this year, wildfires have burned more than 4.5 million acres across the United States. The current wildfires in northeastern Minnesota have burned nearly 70,000 acres.
>>MDA Seeking Public Input Ahead of 2027 Legislative Session
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is asking farmers, agribusinesses, and others connected to the state’s food and agriculture system to help shape its priorities for the next state budget. The agency will host two virtual public input sessions on August 24th and 25th, and an online comment portal will accept suggestions from August 10th through September 18th. The feedback will help the MDA develop budget, policy, and program recommendations ahead of the 2027 legislative session, when lawmakers will approve Minnesota’s next two-year budget.
>>Minnesota Company Closing Iowa Food Production Facility
(Lake Mills, IA) — A Minnesota company that produces prepared foods for Lunds & Byerlys is closing its Lake Mills, Iowa facility after 39 years. The closure will affect 23 employees, who are being offered transfers to a plant in the Minneapolis suburbs. Lake Mills Mayor Bruce Helgeson says company representatives described the closure as a corporate decision and told him there was nothing the city could do to change it. Employees were notified Monday, and the facility is scheduled to close on October 9th.
>>Ada Man Charged After High-Speed Chase
(Clay County, MN) — An Ada man faces several charges following a high-speed police chase in northwestern Minnesota. Prosecutors say 36-year-old Geoffrey Kohoutek fled from officers at speeds topping 100 miles per hour before eventually stopping. Authorities allege he was drinking from a bottle of vodka when the pursuit ended. Kohoutek is charged with fleeing police, DWI, speeding, obstruction, carrying a weapon without a permit, and having an open container. He remained in the Clay County Jail as of Friday morning.
>>Minnesota Woman Sues Chipotle Following Salmonella Illness
(Roseville, MN) — A Minnesota woman has filed a federal lawsuit against Chipotle after becoming seriously ill during the state’s ongoing salmonella outbreak. The lawsuit says Kristen Behne ate a burrito bowl from the chain’s Roseville location on June 24th and became sick several days later. She was hospitalized with a Salmonella infection and sepsis. State health officials have linked the broader outbreak to jalapeño peppers served at Chipotle and other Mexican-style restaurants. The lawsuit alleges raw jalapeños were included in several ingredients in Behne’s meal.
>>Rush City Man Found Dead in St. Croix River Following Police Chase
(Chisago County, MN) — Authorities have identified a 55-year-old Rush City man who drowned in the St. Croix River following a police pursuit. The Chisago County Sheriff’s Office says deputies attempted to stop Matthew Norman Thursday evening because he had an outstanding felony warrant. Investigators say Norman fled and drove down a boat ramp into the St. Croix River before leaving the vehicle and swimming away. A search involving several agencies continued into Friday, when water patrol deputies recovered Norman’s body about an eighth of a mile downstream.
>>Minneapolis Mayor Frey Defends Police Overtime Spending
(Minneapolis, MN) — Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is defending millions of dollars in police overtime spending during Operation Metro Surge. Frey says paying overtime has been less expensive than returning the department to its 2020 staffing level of 888 officers. He also says the additional hours still haven’t provided the level of police service the city needs. Minneapolis budgeted about $2.3 million for police overtime this year, while the city says overtime costs are now roughly $23 million over budget.
>>One Week Left to Nominate Products for “Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota”
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce says there’s just one week left to nominate products for this year’s “Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota” contest. Nominations close Friday, August 14. The annual competition highlights products designed and manufactured in Minnesota, ranging from medical technology and food items to heavy equipment and consumer goods. After nominations close, the public will vote to help determine this year’s winner.
>>Mayo Clinic Again Recognized Among Nation’s Top Hospitals
(Rochester, MN) — Mayo Clinic in Rochester is once again being recognized as one of the nation’s leading hospitals. The latest U.S. News & World Report rankings place Mayo on its Best Hospitals Honor Roll, which recognizes top-performing medical centers across multiple specialties. The rankings consider factors including patient outcomes, nursing care and patient experience. Mayo also received international recognition earlier this year, when Newsweek ranked it the world’s top hospital.
>>Record Setting North 5 Jackpot Split by Two Winners
(Roseville, MN) – Two Minnesota Lottery players made history in Thursday night’s drawing by splitting the largest North 5 jackpot since the game was launched. The payoff in the Minnesota-only lotto game was more than $204,000 for each winner. Lottery officials say the tickets were sold in Newport and Mankato. The Powerball jackpot is worth an estimated $856 million in tonight’s drawing (SAT night).
