>>First Significant Winter Storm of Season Brings Snowfall Statewide
(Chanhassen, MN) — Most of Minnesota is receiving the first significant snowfall of the season from today’s (Thurs) storm. National Weather Service Meteorologist Joe Strus says the heaviest band along Interstate 94 from western Minnesota across the state could get between five to seven inches. He says areas south and north of that swath could see two to four inches of fresh snow. He says temps are expected to drop Friday and Saturday. MnDOT plows are out in full force today clearing the roadways.
>>Minnesota is First State to Offer Advance Payment Option for Child Tax Credit
(St. Paul, MN ) — Minnesota just became the first state that will give taxpayers the option to receive advance payments of their Child Tax Credit. This means in the future, Minnesotans who qualify can get three payments during the year of their tax credit. Revenue Commissioner Paul Marquart says you can now sign up and receive advance payment for your next year’s payment and it really allows for the credit to meet families where their budgets are. Taxpayers may qualify for a Child Tax Credit of $1750 per child, with no limit on the number of children claimed. To join this, Marquart says there will be a box to check on this year’s tax filing form.
>>US Attorney for Minnesota Luger Preparing to Leave Office Next Month
(Minneapolis, MN) — Minnesota’s top federal prosecutor plans leave office with a new administration moving into the White House next month. U-S Attorney Andrew Luger says he’s ready for a transition but would have stayed on if Vice President Kamala Harris would have won the November election. Luger was also U-S attorney for Minnesota from 2014 to 2017 and says he’s grateful that he got to do one of the best jobs in law enforcement twice. He says his office has made progress combatting violent crime in Minnesota but there’s a long way to go. Luger plans to step down before the inauguration in mid-January.
>>Ramsey County Stops Billing for Mental Health Services
(St. Paul, MN) — Ramsey County is longer charging residents in a mental health crisis who use either phone or mobile services. National Alliance on Mental Illness Minnesota Director Sue Abderholden said the county’s hesitation never made sense. She says mobile crisis services prevent emergency room use, hospitalizations and police response, and save money. Ramsey County Board Chair Victoria Reinhardt says they “wanted to make a change so that people knew that we really care about them as individuals.” The billing service is expected to take a while to catch up. Anyone receiving bills for mobile crisis services is urged to call Ramsey County.
>>Utility Worker Dies in Boom Truck Bucket Fall in Sherburne County
(Big Lake, MN) — Authorities in Sherburne County are investigating an incident near Big Lake that left a utility worker dead. The sheriff’s office says 59-year-old Thomas Stewart of Dayton was working in a boom truck bucket about six to eight feet in the air Tuesday afternoon when he fell getting out of it. Deputies say first responders treated Stewart at the scene, but he died Tuesday night at St. Cloud Hospital.
>>Authorities ID Brainerd Woman Struck and Killed in East Gull Lake
(East Gull Lake, MN) — The Cass County Sheriff’s Office is identifying the woman struck and killed by a vehicle over the weekend in East Gull Lake. Deputies say 34-year-old Jill Burnham of Brainerd was talking to the driver of a pickup parked in the westbound lane when she was hit by an S-U-V that lost control on the icy road. Burnham was taken to St. Cloud Hospital and later died of her injuries. Investigators suspect the 57-year-old Nisswa man driving the S-U-V was under the influence of alcohol and say charges are pending.
>>Timberwolves Hosting KAT and New York Knicks Thursday Night
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Timberwolves play Karl-Anthony Towns and the Knicks tonight (Thurs 8:30pm) at Target Center. This will be KAT’s first time back on the court in Minnesota since he was traded to New York in the offseason. Forward Naz Reid says it’s going to be an emotional reunion with Towns. KAT played his first nine seasons in Minnesota and made four All-Star teams. The Wolves are 14-and-11 this season while the Knicks have a 16-and-10 record.
