>>Court of Appeals to Hear Pharmacist Lawsuit Over Emergency Contraceptive
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Court of Appeals today (Thurs 10:05am) hears the case of a mother and foster parent who’s suing an pharmacist in Aitkin County for refusing on religious grounds to fill her prescription for an emergency contraceptive. A jury found in favor of the pharmacist, and Gender Justice legal director Jess Braverman is arguing the appeal. Braverman says, “when you go to get your medication dispensed, you shouldn’t have to worry that someone’s gonna turn you away because of their personal beliefs.” The Alliance Defending Freedom says the pharmacist politely informed the customer he could not dispense the pill in good conscience and referred the request to another pharmacist so she could get the drug the next day. But Gender Justice attorney Braverman says time was of the essence for the contraceptive to prevent a pregnancy.
>>81 Workers Died on the Job in Minnesota in 2022
(St. Paul, MN) — Eighty-one people lost their lives while work in the state in 2022. James Honerman with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry says transportation incidents accounted for 27 fatalities and that’s the most of any incident type. He says another area of concern is falls at work, slips, and trips at work which resulted in 18 deaths. Men accounted for 67 of the 81 fatally injured workers last year. Fourteen women died on the job, double the number in 2021. Minnesota had 80 workplace fatalities in 2021.
>>Governor Walz and Family Welcome new Cat Honey
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz says he and his family recently welcomed a new furry friend into their home. ” Honey” is a rescue cat. Walz posted about Honey on social media, reporting that she has already discovered some favorite spots around the house; under the Christmas tree and on top of whatever the governor is trying to read. At the end of August, Walz said that his cat, Afton, went missing after he wandered away from home. Walz shared that they were unable to locate the feline, but said he still hopes Afton makes his way back home.
>>Timberwolves Owner Taylor Donates $172M of Farmland
(Mankato, MN) — Minnesota’s richest man, Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, is making a substantial contribution by donating $172 million worth of farmland to Minnesota and Iowa. Taylor says he wants to focus on rural communities and that the land will be distributed to three partners of the Taylor Foundation, including the Mankato Area Foundation and the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation. The Taylor Foundation says the farmland donation will take place before the year ends, with distribution beginning next year.
>>Mayo Clinic Donates $10M to Rochester Public Schools
(Rochester, MN) — Mayo Clinic is giving Rochester Public Schools (RPS) a $10 million donation to avert significant cost-cutting measures for the 2024-2025 school year. – Superintendent Kent Pekel presented a proposal to the board, initially considering the closure of three schools to facilitate new school start times and reduce transportation and other expenses. Pekel says with the Mayo funding, the recommendation to close Pinewood and Riverside Elementaries is rescinded, class sizes can increase, and programs can stay in motion.
>>Duluth Man Arrested in Child Pornographic Video Investigation
(Duluth, MN) — A Duluth man is accused of accused uploading and possessing thousands of images and videos of child sexual abuse and exploitation. The Duluth P-D received cyber tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in May 2022. Officers say a search of the 26-year-old suspect’s home last March led to the seizure of several electronic devices that contained about 18 thousand images and videos. Investigators say 790 images and videos were identified as know victims. The man was arrested pending four counts of possession of pornographic work involving minors.
>>Man Charged in Linden Hills Domestic Fatal Shooting
(Minneapolis, MN) — Fifty-year-old Johnny Brown of Minneapolis is facing two counts of second-degree murder in connection to the fatal shooting of his domestic partner Sunday. Officers found 43-year-old Kesha Moore suffering from gunshot wounds in their Linden Hills neighborhood apartment and she later died in the hospital. Police traced Brown to Maple Grove and arrested him through a felony traffic stop in Golden Valley. Brown is currently in the Hennepin County Jail.
>>Rare Cougar Struck and Killed on I-394 Featured in Educational Display
(Minneapolis, MN) — The rare cougar sighted in Minneapolis’s Lowry Hill neighborhood and later struck-and-killed on I-394 will serve an educational function. The D-N-R has approved a request from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, which plans a display featuring the cougar which will circulate between city recreation centers and other facilities.
>>Most of Minnesota Will Not Have a White Christmas
(St. Paul, MN) — It looks like most of Minnesota will not have a White Christmas this year. Assistant State Climatologist Pete Boulay says it’s not unusual to have no snow cover during the holidays in parts of the state. He says the odds of a brown Christmas in southern Minnesota are about 40 percent, the Twin Cities/St. Cloud has a brown Christmas about 25 percent of the time, and International Falls only about five percent. Boulay says the Ely area and the North Shore have more than an inch of snow on the ground. Record-high temperatures and rain are in the forecast for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
>>The Minnesota Ice Festival at Vikings Lake is Canceled
(Eagan, MN) — The 2024 Minnesota Ice Festival at Vikings Lakes in Eagan is canceled due to “uncharacteristically warm” winter conditions. Organizers say warmer temperatures affect the stability of the ice structures and create safety concerns. Anyone who purchased tickets for the festival will be automatically refunded. Officials say the ice for the festival has already been delivered and is under insulation which will protect it from melting as long as it remains covered. They hope to be able to use the ice in a celebration with the public at some point later this winter.
>>Trampled by Turtles Playing Duluth Concert in July 2024
(Duluth, MN) — “Trampled by Turtles” revealed Wednesday that they will return to their hometown for a special show in Duluth next year. The bluegrass band originated in Duluth 20 years ago and has since gained national recognition. The concert is planned for July 6th, 2024, but the venue hasn’t been announced. More details about the show are yet to be known.