>>Minnesota’s Budget Could be Impacted by new Trump Administration
(St. Paul, MN) — The latest state budget forecast shows Minnesota with a $ 616 million surplus for 2026-27, but a possible $ 5 -billion deficit the last two years of the decade. Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Erin Campbell says a new Trump administration taking office in January could lead to more uncertainty. She says, “we don’t know exactly what the policies are, we don’t know what the impact will be on the state of Minnesota so at this point I think it’s just too early to say.” An update on the future state budget will come out in February.
>>Political Blame Game Over State Budget Forecast for Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) — The latest economic forecast has Republicans blaming Democrats for projected multi-billion-dollar state budget deficits later in the decade, caused by lagging sales and income tax revenue, coupled with fast-rising costs for special education and long-term care for seniors. Minnesota House G-O-P Leader Lisa Demuth says this is, “exactly what House Republicans have been warning for the last two years.” Governor Tim Walz responds the state has a balanced budget right now, and there’s time to fix the problem. The latest budget forecast is a snapshot for state lawmakers about six weeks before the start of the 2025 legislative session.
>>Manhunt Continues in NYC for Man Who Fatally Shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Thompson
(New York, NY) — Police in New York City are still searching for the gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare C-E-O Brian Thompson Wednesday morning outside a Manhattan hotel. Investigators say the suspect fled the scene on an e-bike and disappeared in Central Park. The N-Y-P-D is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in what detectives called a “premeditated, preplanned, targeted attack.” Thompson’s wife, Paulette, tells N-B-C News that Brian had been getting some threats, but Maple Grove police said they had no contact with Thompson or received any reports.
>>Bicyclist in Duluth Struck and Killed by 2 Vehicles
(Duluth, MN) — The Duluth Police Department says a bicyclist is dead after being hit by two vehicles early Wednesday evening. The report says the 60-year-old man went through a crosswalk without checking for traffic before he was struck. The rider was taken to the hospital and died of his injuries. Officers say there were no signs of impairment for either driver. The victim’s name hasn’t been released.
>>Worthington Man Dies in Crash on Icy and Snowy Highway 60
(Wilder, MN) — A Worthington man is the victim of a deadly crash Wednesday morning in southwest Minnesota’s Jackson County. The State Patrol say an S-U-V driven by 43-year-old Miguel Angel Heredia was eastbound on Highway 60 when it crashed and rolled into the ditch. Heredia died at the scene. The report indicates the roads were snow- and ice-covered at the time.
>>Victim Suffers Life-Threatening Wounds in Fargo Shooting
(Fargo, ND) — A person is in the hospital with life-threatening gunshot wounds after a shooting in Fargo, North Dakota, Wednesday. Police were called to reports of a shooting around noon and found the victim. They were brought to a local hospital, but their condition and identity are unknown. No other information is available.
>>Christmas Tree Season in Minnesota Off to Solid Start
(Ramsey, MN) — The Christmas tree season is off to a solid start in Minnesota. Tyson Hallin of Rum River Tree Farm in Anoka County says it’s been going really well and they had a quite a lot of business, but probably not as much as they were expecting on weekdays. Hallin says the supply is about the same as last year and prices are up a little bit this season. He says the Canaan fir has been selling like wildfire this year.
>>Gopher Men’s Hoops Falls to Michigan State in Big Ten Opener
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Gopher men’s basketball team dropped the Big Ten opener to number-25 Michigan State 90-72 Wednesday night at Williams Arena. The Spartans were up 42-30 at halftime and led by double digits for most of the game. Dawson Garcia had 18 points and 11 rebounds and Mike Mitchell Junior added 17 in Minnesota’s loss. Michigan State had four players in double figures. The Golden Gophers play the Hoosiers Monday in Indiana.
