>>Minnesota State Patrol Responds to 470 Crashes During Thursday’s Snowstorm
(Golden Valley, MN) — A busy day for the Minnesota State Patrol Thursday during the first significant winter storm of the season. State troopers responded to a total of 470 crashes between midnight and 8:30 p-m and 38 resulted in injuries. Officials say 261 vehicles went off the road and there were 30 jackknifed semis. South central and southeastern Minnesota received the most snowfall. New Prague, Winthrop and Kellogg had seven inches of snow, Zumbrota and St. Peter got six-and-a-half, White Bear Lake, Chanhassen, and Red Wing reported a half foot, the Rochester area saw five-and-a-half five inches, and around five inches fell in the Twin Cities, Mankato, and Willmar.
>>New Report Released on Minnesota Gun Violence
(Minneapolis, MN) — The organization Protect Minnesota is out with a new report analyzing gun violence in the state in 2023. The report shows last year the state had 530 gun-related deaths, which is down from 569 in 2022. Still, the organization says that number is too high and is calling on lawmakers to continue to make changes. Protect Minnesota executive director Maggiy Emery says the state needs stronger safe storage laws and better reporting of lost and stolen firearms.
>>No Human Cases of Avian Influenza Detected in Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) — Health officials in neighboring Wisconsin are monitoring the state’s first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a human. But State Public Health Veterinarian Doctor Stacy Holzbauer says Minnesota has not detected a case of H-5 N-1 in a human at this point. She says there have been 61 reported human cases nationally. The exposed farm worker in northwest Wisconsin’s Barron County is believed to be the first case in the Upper Midwest. Doctor Holzbauer says the risk to the general public is low, but the occupational health risk to people who work with infected animals is certainly there.
>>New Federal Funding for Minnesota Affordable Housing
(St. Paul, MN) — U-S Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar are announcing more than $20 million in federal funding to preserve affordable housing in manufactured housing communities and to support tribal communities. The senators say this funding will ensure long-term housing affordability, infrastructure improvements, and redevelopment in historically underserved areas. This money will help six resident owned communities in Minnesota and Wisconsin, as well as 28 tribal communities across the Upper Midwest.
>>Deadline Friday to Submit Entries in MnDOT’s Name a Snowplow Contest
(Roseville, MN) — The deadline is noon today (Fri 12pm) to submit names for MnDOT’s fifth annual Name a Snowplow contest. Spokesperson Anne Meyer says they borrowed the idea for the popular contest from Scotland. She says Scotland has named their plows for a while, but she thinks MnDOT is the first state department of transportation to do in in the nation. Previous winners include Blizzo, Taylor Drift, Plowy McPlowFace, and the Big Leplowski. Snowplow names can be submitted on the MnDOT website.
>>Man and Woman Found Dead Inside Vehicle at Duluth International Airport
(Duluth, MN) — Police are investigating the deaths of two people found in a vehicle Thursday at Duluth International Airport. Officers were called to locate a man who was having suicidal thoughts. They found his vehicle on the top floor of the airport parking ramp with a man and woman dead inside. Investigators say they were known to each other and there’s no threat to the public. Their names aren’t being released.
>>North Branch Man Found Guilty of Fatally Running Over Forest Lake Teen
(Stillwater, MN) — A North Branch man is awaiting his sentence after being convicted of running over and killing a 17-year-old girl in Forest Lake. A Washington County jury found 20-year-old Dylan Simmons guilty of second-degree murder during the commission of a felony, criminal vehicular homicide, and assault with a dangerous weapon in the death of Darisha Vath of Stacy. Investigators say Simmons admitted that he intended to strike Vath with his vehicle following a fight between two groups in a Forest Lake park in July of 2023.
>>79-Year-Old Man Hurt in Snowmobile Crash on Lake near Duluth
(Rice Lake, MN) — A 79-year-old man is being treated for injuries suffered in a snowmobile crash on the Wild Rice Lake Reservoir near Duluth. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says the snowmobile flipped on the ice and the man was conscious and breathing, but not wearing a helmet. He was taken to a Duluth hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Deputies say all snowmobilers should wear helmets while riding on the trails and lakes.
>>ATV Falls Through the Ice on St. Louis River
(Duluth, MN) — No one is injured after an A-T-V pulling a trailer partially submerged in the ice of the St. Louis River near Spirit Mountain west of Duluth. First responders made their way across the ice to check for anyone in distress. They found footprints leading away from the A-T-V and onto land. A man was seen walking near the business Tate & Lyle, and security footage was later reviewed. Authorities reported that he appeared to match the description of the registered owner of the A-T-V. He was contacted and confirmed that he was the only person involved in the incident and was safe.
>>Canterbury Park Racing Schedule Approved
(Shakopee, MN) — Canterbury Park’s request for a 51-day horse racing season in 2025 has been approved by the Minnesota Racing Commission. The season will start on Saturday, May 24th and run through Saturday, September 20th. The season begins one week later and concludes one week earlier than the 2024 season. Canterbury’s Casino and simulcast racebook remain open daily.
>>Knicks Rout Timberwolves in KAT’s Return to Target Center
(Minneapolis, MN) — Karl-Anthony Towns and the Knicks crushed the Timberwolves 133-107 Thursday night at Target Center. KAT had 32 points and 20 rebounds in his first game in Minneapolis since the Wolves traded him to New York. The team welcomed Towns back to Minnesota with a tribute video during the pre-game and he received loud applause from the fans. Forward Julius Randle scored 24 points against his former team and Anthony Edwards added 17. The Wolves host the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night.
