>>Xcel Energy Shuts Down 1 of 3 Coal-Fired Plants in Sherburne County
(Becker, MN) — Xcel Energy has permanently shut down one of its three large coal-fired plants in Sherburne County as the utility works towards its carbon-free goal in Minnesota. Xcel’s Randy Capra says solar panels are being added nearby in phases to replace power from that unit and will be the largest solar facility in the Midwest. Another coal-fired unit at Sherco is scheduled to be retired at the end of 2026, and the third and largest one at the end of 2030. Capra says generating capacity that can’t be replaced by solar and wind will come from new natural gas plants, likely built outside the Twin Cities.
>>AG Ellison to Announce Major Wage Theft Enforcement Action
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison will announce this morning (Mon 10am) one of the largest wage theft enforcement actions in the state’s history. This comes after Ellison’s creation of a new wage theft unit in 2019. It is aimed at protecting workers’ pay and addresses wages reportedly stolen from employee paychecks.
>>Bemidji Man Dies After ATV Breaks Through Ice on Pike Bay Lake
(Cass Lake, MN) — A Bemidji man did not survive after his A-T-V broke through the ice on Pike Bay Lake in northern Minnesota. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says people ice fishing nearby pulled the 82-year-old driver out of the water Friday and started first aid. The man was taken to Cass Lake Indian Services Hospital where he later died. Deputies say his passenger also went into the water and was treated at the scene. The victim’s name hasn’t been released. The sheriff warns that ice conditions on lakes in the area are extremely unsafe due to recent warm weather and rains.
>>Authorities ID Lyon County Couple Who Died in Murder-Suicide
(Lake Benton, MN) — Authorities say a couple from Lake Benton in southwest Minnesota’s Lyon County died in a murder-suicide. The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death of 81-year-old Sandra Wilson Goertz as a homicide caused by multiple gunshot wounds and 80-year-old Irwin Goertz died of a self-inflicted gunshot. Sheriff’s deputies found Sandra dead in their home Thursday while Irwin was critically injured and died in the hospital. The Minnesota B-C-A and local investigators are still trying to determine what led to the shootings.
>>Man’s Body Found in North Minneapolis Garage
(Minneapolis, MN) — Police in north Minneapolis are investigating the discovery of a dead body in a garage Sunday afternoon. Officers went to an unoccupied home and located a man’s body inside a garbage bin. Detectives say they are working to collect evidence and no arrests have been made. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the man’s cause and manner of death.
>>Snow Moving into Southwestern Minnesota Could Impact Travel
(Undated) — Winter weather is moving into southwestern Minnesota and drivers are being told to watch for hazardous conditions during today’s (Mon) commute. A winter storm warning has been issued for several counties in the southwestern corner of the state. Up to 11 inches of snow could fall in some areas before the warning expires tomorrow morning. A winter weather advisory is posted for several other southern Minnesota counties, with up to six inches of snow predicted for those areas by Tuesday.
>>Minnesota DNR Looking For Summer Interns
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota D-N-R is looking for summer interns. The agency wants to employ 200 students to fill positions at fisheries, state parks, state forests and other D-N-R operations. The students will work between 20 and 40 hours a week and will receive 19-dollars an hour. More information on applying for the intern positions is available on the D-N-R’s website.
>>Vikings Lose Regular Season Finale at Detroit
(Detroit, MI) — The season is over for the Minnesota Vikings after a 30-20 loss Sunday at the Detroit Lions. The Purple kept it close in the second half before quarterback Nick Mullens threw a pair of fourth-quarter interceptions. Mullens completed 30 of 44 passes for 396 yards, two touchdowns and two picks. Justin Jefferson had 12 receptions for 192 yards and a T-D. The Vikings finish the season with a 7-and-10 record.
