>>Klobuchar Set to Become 3rd Ranking Democrat in US Senate
(Washington, DC) — Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar is expected to become the third-ranking Democrat in the U-S Senate. Senate Democrats are voting today (Tues) on their minority leadership team after losing the majority in the November election. New York Senator Chuck Schumer will likely remain the top Democrat in the caucus and Dick Durbin of Illinois will be number two. Klobuchar is expected to replace retiring Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow as the number three Democrat in the chamber.
>> New Cyber Security Rules in Effect in Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) — A new cyber security requirement is now in effect in the state of Minnesota. Public agencies are now mandated to report cyber security incidents to Minnesota I-T Services to enhance the state’s ability to detect, respond to, and mitigate cyber threats. Governor Walz signed the bill into law in May. It applies to a wide range of organizations including state public agencies, government contractors and vendors, and school districts, charter schools and public post-secondary institutions. The new requirement started on Sunday.
>>The Front Line Foundation Awards $20K Benefit to Family of Red Lake Officer
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Front Line Foundation is awarding a 20-thousand-dollar death benefit to the family of Red Lake Police Officer Jesse Branch. Board member and Washington County Sheriff Dan Starry says 35-year-old Branch died in a crash while responding to a call last week. Starry says, “it’s just our way to say thank you, thank you for your service Officer Branch. And again to give a little bit back to the family to take some of the worry away at least for the incoming bills.” He says Officer Branch will be missed by the Red Lake community. There’s a visitation for Branch Friday night in Bemidji and a memorial Saturday in Red Lake.
>>Body of Missing Duluth Pastor Recovered from Bay in Superior
(Superior, WI) — Authorities in the Twin Ports report finding the body of a missing Duluth man in Woodstock Bay in Superior, Wisconsin. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office says 78-year-old Gregory Garmer left home Sunday afternoon to go ice skating and never returned. Deputies say his body was recovered around 4:30 pm Monday. Garmer is a retired pastor and a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Duluth.
>>Authorities in Woodbury Rescue 3 People Who Broke Through Thin Ice
(Woodbury, MN) — Police in Woodbury are warning about thin ice on Minnesota lakes and ponds after three people had to be rescued Monday. Authorities say a child went through the ice on Markgrafs Lake around 4:30 pm and emergency personnel rescued them. Officers say a teenage boy who went underwater before first responders arrived was not immediately rescued and later recovered by divers. Both victims were taken to Regions Hospital and their conditions are unknown. Investigators say a man fell through the ice on another lake in Woodbury late Monday morning and was rescued by E-M-Ts.
>>Robbinsdale Gunshot Victim Found in Car Dies in Hospital
(Robbinsdale, MN) — Police in Robbinsdale are investigating the city’s first homicide of the year. Officers were called to a car crash Monday evening and found the driver suffering from a gunshot wound. First responders provided medical aid and the victim was taken to North Memorial Hospital where he died. Investigators say the preliminary information indicates it was not a random shooting and there’s no threat to the community.
>>Minnesota Gas Prices Holding Steady
(Undated) — Gas prices in most areas of Minnesota are expected to decrease slightly in the coming weeks. However, we should keep an eye on the market. If tariffs are enacted, their potential effects would likely not be felt until late January. The average price for a gallon of unleaded gasoline in Minnesota is $2.84, compared to the national average of $3.03 per gallon.
>>Bloomington Senior Goes to Represent Debate Team Nationally, Again
(Bloomington, MN) — A Bloomington Public Schools student will represent her school for the second consecutive year in the Senate Congressional Debate. Kennedy High School senior Addison Wendt took first at the Southern MN National Speech and Debate qualifying tournament and heads to nationals for the second year in a row this summer. The National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) National Tournament is June 15-20, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa.
>> Winter Carnival Button Reveal Planned
(St. Paul, MN) — The 12th annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Union Depot in St. Paul will take place this Saturday, December 7th. Included in the family fun activities will be the revealing of the 2025 St. Paul Winter Carnival button collection. The designs will be unveiled with the help of the Winter Carnival Royal Family, the Vulcan Krewe, and the Klondike Kates. The festivities including the holiday tree lighting all begin at 5 pm. Then at 7:30, families are invited to watch the movie “Elf.” Metro Transit will be offering free rides to Union Depot.
