>>Kandiyohi County Deputy Injured in Crash
(Atwater, MN) — A Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Deputy was injured in a single-vehicle rollover crash Thursday near Atwater. Authorities say an on-duty deputy was driving a squad car when the deputy left the road and overturned. The deputy was pulled from the squad car and air-lifted to the hospital. According to law enforcement, the deputy suffered non-life-threatening injuries and is in stable condition. The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating the crash.
>>Walz Promises Southern MN Family “Full Investigation” Into Daughter’s Death
(Pine Island, MN) — Governor Walz promised a full investigation into the death of a southern Minnesota family’s daughter. On Thursday Walz visited a Pine Island farm to discuss state resources available to new farmers and was asked about the charges brought against Minnesota State Trooper Shane Roper following a May crash that resulted in the death of 18-year-old Olivia Flores from Owatonna. Governor Walz called the crash “tragic” and stated that the investigation is necessary to determine if policy changes are needed.
>>NTSB Finds Wind Shift Contributed to Rochester Hot Air Balloon Crash
(Rochester, MN) — The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has determined the cause of a hot air balloon crash that started a fire in a Rochester field back in March. Officials say the crash happened because the “pilot failed to maintain clearance from power lines while landing in a field.” The report analysis says the pilot reported that the wind “shifted and increased in speed” as he was trying to land the hot air balloon in a field. The pilot then tried to abort the landing but could not stop the balloon’s descent. A crew member and a passenger both sustained minor injuries. Another person on board was not injured.
>>South Central Minnesota Flood Victims Taking Advantage of Disaster Loan Program
(Mankato, MN) — Flood victims in south central Minnesota are taking advantage of a community disaster loan program through a Mankato-area lender. Pioneer Bank C-E-O David Krause says eligible homeowners can borrow up to five thousand dollars and businesses up to 20 thousand. Krause said they decided to launch a low-interest loan program after the Rapidan Dam incident and the major flood damage in the area.
>>Leech Lake Band Celebrates Return Of 11K Acres Of Land
(Cass County, MN) — The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe in northern Minnesota is celebrating the restoration of over 11,000 acres of land to its tribal boundaries. A ceremony was held to commemorate the transfer. In 2020, a federal law was passed, allowing the tribe to collaborate with the U.S. Forest Service to select parcels of land while respecting existing property rights. Additionally, there is a bill introduced in Congress that could potentially restore another 4,000 acres of land to the tribe.
>>MN PUC Approves Solar Plant In Sherburne County
(Becker, MN) — Xcel Energy is progressing towards constructing a large solar energy farm in Sherburne County. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved a site permit for the 250-megawatt solar facility in Becker Thursday. The proposed solar farm will replace a coal-fired plant in Becker that the company plans to shut down by 2030.
