>>FEMA Approves Major Disaster Declaration for 22 Minnesota Counties
(St. Paul, MN) — Twenty-two Minnesota counties are eligible for federal disaster assistance due to the recent storm and flood damage. The Biden Administration approved the state’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration on Saturday. FEMA officials say 20 additional counties are currently under review and damage assessments are ongoing. Governor Tim Walz said in a statement, “I’m grateful to our partners in the federal government for doing their part, just as Minnesotans have done theirs, filling tens of thousands of sandbags, checking in on their neighbors, and volunteering their time.” Here’s the list of approve counties:
Blue Earth
Carver
Cass
Cook
Cottonwood
Faribault
Fillmore
Freeborn
Goodhue
Jackson
Lake
Le Sueur
Murray
Nobles
Pipestone
Rice
Rock
St. Louis
Steele
Wabasha
Waseca
Watonwan
>>Applications Open for Assistance to Dairy Farmers Impacted by Bird Flu
(St. Paul, MN) — The U-S-D-A is accepting applications starting today (Mon) for emergency assistance to dairy farmers who suffered milk losses due to highly pathogenic avian influenza (H-P-A-I). The expanded program provides financial assistance to producers forced to remove cattle from commercial milking in dairy herds with a positive H-5-N-1 test. Minnesota is one of 12 states with avian influenza infections in dairy cows. There have been six H-5-N-1 detections in dairy herds in the state in Benton, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Morrison, and Sibley counties.
>>Dedication Ceremony for new Minnesota Veterans Home in Bemidji
. (Bemidji, MN) — There’s a dedication ceremony this afternoon (Mon 1-3pm) for the new Minnesota State Veterans Home in Bemidji. The first veterans moved into the Northwoods-themed, 72-bed skilled nursing facility in February. Governor Tim Walz is one of the scheduled speakers for the program. Community members are invited to tour the building and grounds. New State Veterans Homes also opened this year in Preston and Montevideo.
>>Scuba Diver Drowns in Crane Lake near Voyageurs National Park
(Crane Lake Township, MN) — Authorities in northeastern Minnesota are investigating the apparent drowning of a scuba diver on Crane Lake outside of the Voyageurs National Park boundaries. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says the 50-year-old diver from Embarrass was helping a group of people recover a piece of sunken machinery in about 70 feet of water Sunday when he failed to resurface. Deputies say the man was taken to shore after a period time underwater, but first responders were unable to save him. The victim’s name hasn’t been released.
>>2 Passengers Killed in Crash on Highway 71 in Stearns County Sunday Morning
(Getty Township, MN) — Two people are dead after an S-U-V vs. pickup crash Sunday morning on Highway 71 near Melrose in Stearns County. The Minnesota State Patrol says a truck driven by Matthew Newman of Sauk Centre collided with an S-U-V driven by 23-year-old Elver Hernandez Carcamo at an intersection. State troopers say Hernandez Carcamo suffered life-threatening injuries and his two passengers were killed. The report says 30-year-old Lener Salgado of Melrose and Nayeli Hernandez of Sauk Centre both died at the scene. Newman was taken to the hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries. Alcohol was not involved in the crash.
>>Body Found in Holding Pond at I-94 Rest Area in Maple Grove
(Maple Grove, MN) — Police are investigating after a maintenance worker discovered a body in a holding pond near the Elm Creek Rest area on I-94 in Maple Grove Saturday afternoon. The Hennepin County medical examiner will determine the cause and manner of death. No other information has been released at this time.
>>Authorities ID Faribault Man Fatally Shot at Lakeville Amazon Warehouse
(Lakeville, MN) — A 22-year-old Faribault man is the victim of a deadly shooting at the Amazon Fulfilment Center in Lakeville. The Hennepin County medical examiner’s report says Ahmed Ibrahim Cariif died Saturday morning of a gunshot wound to the chest. Lakeville police located Cariif wounded in the Amazon parking lot and he died at the scene. Officers say a 24-year-old man was taken into custody and a gun was recovered. Amazon officials said in a statement that they were “shocked and saddened by this terrible tragedy” and cooperating with the investigation.
>>Man Stabbed and Struck by Vehicle near Litchfield Suffers Serious Injuries
(Litchfield, MN) — A man is hospitalized with serious injuries after being stabbed and struck by a vehicle near Litchfield. Meeker County sheriff’s deputies say 50-year-old Galen Serbus of Olivia was found lying in the ditch Friday evening and airlifted to Hennepin County Medical Center. Investigators say the suspect vehicle was located and they’re searching for multiple suspects who have been identified. Authorities believe it was a targeted attack. Anyone with information about the incident should contact the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office.
>>US Women Olympic Gymnastics Team Named at Target Center Trials
(Minneapolis, MN) — Suni Lee from St. Paul will be representing the United States at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Lee finished second in the U-S Olympic Team Trials at Target Center on Sunday night and is one of five gymnasts named to Team U-S-A. Simone Biles won the all-around and Jordan Chiles finished just behind Lee in third place. Jade Carey and Hezly Rivera were also named to the U-S team last night in downtown Minneapolis.