>>Early Voting Starts in Minnesota’s March 5th Presidential Primary
(St. Paul, MN) — This is the first day (Fri) that Minnesota voters can participate in the March 5th presidential primary election. Secretary of State Steve Simon says you can vote in-person at a city or county building or from home by sending an absentee ballot. Simon says you must choose either a Democratic or Republican ballot and vote for candidates from one political party. There’s more information about the presidential primary on the Secretary of State’s website (mnvotes.gov).
>>Move-In Day Monday for New Minnesota Veterans Home in Montevideo
(Montevideo, MN) — A new state veterans home opens next week for veterans in southwest and western Minnesota. The first residents are moving into the Minnesota Veterans Home in Montevideo on Monday. The state Department of Veterans Affairs says a World War Two Army veteran named William will be the first resident at Montevideo. All the residents will receive welcome baskets filled with donations from veterans and the Montevideo community. The Minnesota Veterans Home Preston opened earlier this month in southeast corner of the state.
>>Lower Interest Rates Good News for Minnesota’s Housing Market
(Redwood Falls, MN) — The market for prospective homebuyers appears to be improving in Minnesota, with interest rates dropping and more homes on the market. Minnesota Realtors President Geri Theis (TICE) of Redwood Falls says, “with more inventory, we are seeing more buyers come out, and hopefully in 2024 (will) be able to see them be able to make some offers with inspection contingencies and give ’em a little more confidence moving forward.” A low supply on the market forced more buyers to purchase homes “as is.” Theis says it’s still a great time to sell because an undersupply of houses on the market persists, which keeps prices up.
>>Mayo Clinic Workers Push for Higher Wages
(Rochester, MN) — S-E-I-U Minnesota and Iowa members pushed for higher wages at Mayo Clinic Thursday to address worker shortages and “low morale” for frontline, essential workers. Mayo Clinic assistant Taylor Bublitz (boob-lits) says they’ve been proposing wage increases up to 16 percent and after multiple days at the bargaining table, Mayo Clinic has only come back with a three percent offer. The nearly 600 workers on the union’s bargaining teams are asking for a 20-dollar minimum wage with proportional increases to get wages closer to living wages.
>>Hibbing Drug Bust Nets Meth, Fentanyl, Cocaine and 2 Arrests
(Hibbing, MN) — Two suspects are under arrest following a drug bust Wednesday night in Hibbing. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office and Lake Superior Violent Offenders Task Force found a pound of methamphetamine, cocaine, suspected fentanyl pills and marijuana during a search. Deputies say two people were taken into custody and will make their first court appearance today (Fri).
>>Water Main Break Closes Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley
(Golden Valley, MN) — There will be no pet adoptions today (Fri) at the Animal Humane Society’s main location in Golden Valley. Officials say it is closed because of a broken water main under the parking lot and crews are making repairs. A-H-S say the care of the animals will not be impacted. The Coons Rapids and Woodbury location will be open for adoptions today. Golden Valley is expected to re-open Saturday.
>>Minnesota Wild Captain Spurgeon Out for Remainder of Season
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Wild captain Jared Spurgeon is going to miss the remainder of the season. The team announced 34-year-old Spurgeon is scheduled to have hip surgery February 6th and back surgery four weeks later. The Wild’s top defenseman is expected to be fully recovered for training camp in September. Spurgeon has only played in 16 games this season due to multiple injuries. The Wild got crushed by the Lightning 7-3 Thursday night in Tampa Bay.