>>Pro-Life Groups Worry Minnesota Becoming Even Greater Abortion ‘Magnet’
(St. Paul, MN) — Pro-life groups applaud the six-week abortion ban now in effect in neighboring Iowa, but worry about Minnesota becoming an even greater abortion “magnet” in the Upper Midwest. Paul Stark with Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life says it’s “definitely a campaign issue.” He says, “pro-life Minnesotans all over the state, they’re definitely disturbed by the current situation that we have in Minnesota with abortion, and they want change. They want to move in a less-extreme direction.” Governor Tim Walz and Minnesota Democrats are welcoming Iowa women to Minnesota for reproductive care.
>>First Steps on Replacing the Blatnik Bridge in Duluth-Superior
(Duluth, MN) — After much preliminary design work, the first highly-visible signs in Duluth-Superior of the upcoming replacement of the aging Blatnik Bridge — as cranes with massive hammers drive test pilings at six possible locations for bridge piers. MnDOT’s project team lead Pat Huston says, “the purpose really is to drive these different types of pile, monitor the reactions, check the performance to inform us for the future bridge design to really make sure we prove our design and make it as economical as possible.” Huston says they’re also looking for contaminated materials and want to determine well ahead of time whether any cultural or historical findings are in the area. Major construction is expected to begin in 2026-27 and run through 2031.
>>Governor Walz Appoints St. Cloud Mayor Kleis to State Campaign Finance Board
(St. Paul, MN) — St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis is the joining the Minnesota State Campaign Finance Board. Governor Tim Walz appointed retiring Mayor Kleis on Monday to a term that runs through January 2028. He replaces Margaret Leppik on the board that oversees campaign finance disclosure for state elections, lobbyist registration, and economic interest disclosures for state public officials. Kleis not seeking re-election to a sixth term in St. Cloud and was recently honored on the U-S House floor. He also served ten years in the Minnesota Senate.
>>Authorities ID Bicyclist Killed in Crash on Highway 55 near Maple Lake
(Maple Lake, MN) — The Minnesota State Patrol is identifying the bicyclist killed in a crash on Highway 55 near Maple Lake in Wright County. Troopers say 21-year-old Jaxon Zuelke of Maple Lake and an S-U-V were both westbound Sunday night when they collided. Zuelke died at the scene. The report says it is unknown whether alcohol was involved with the 39-year-old man from Howard Lake who was driving the S-U-V.
>>Moorhead Police Report Arrest of Missing Sex Offender
(Fargo, ND) — Authorities in Moorhead say a level 3 sex offender reported missing by Fargo police has been found and arrested. The Minnesota Department of Corrections issued a warrant for 67-year-old Richard Folden after he went missing, wearing a hospital gown. Officers say Folden lives in Moorhead.
>>Sauk Centre Police Drone Saves Intoxicated Man Struggling to Swim
(Sauk Centre, MN) — The Sauk Centre Police Department says a drone played a key role in a weekend water rescue. Officials were called to a report of an intoxicated man who jumped into Sauk Lake near the Sauk River Dam early Sunday and had begun to struggle. Officers couldn’t spot the man from the shore and used the department’s drone to search. An infrared imaging camera on the drone found the man several hundred feet from the shore. He was rescued and brought to a nearby hospital, where he was treated and released.
>>Former Bemidji State Basketball Player Gets Probation for Sexually Assaulting Teenager
(Bemidji, MN) — A former Bemidji State University basketball player will serve three years of supervised probation for the alleged sexual assault of a teenager. Authorities say 24-year-old Colin Schaefer of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, met the 15-year-old victim on Tinder and Snapchat and they had sexual interactions in Schaefer’s car. He pleaded guilty in May and was removed from the team’s roster last season.
>>Minnesota DNR Looks to Loosen Walleye Limit on Lake Mille Lacs
(Isle, MN) — The Minnesota D-N-R plans to increase the bag limit for walleye on Lake Mille Lacs. The proposed move was announced Monday during a meeting of the Fisheries Advisory Committee. The plan would allow a daily limit of two walleye per angler with a harvest slot of 18 to 20 inches. State fisheries chief Brad Parsons says the new limit is pending final approval but should go into effect on August 16th. The current regulations allow anglers to take one walleye on Mille Lacs in mid-August.
>>Agreement Puts Bally Sports North Twins’ Broadcasts Back on Comcast
(Minneapolis, MN) — Thousands of Minnesota Twins fans with Comcast/Xfinity cable T-V will be able to watch their team for the first time since April. Diamond Sports Group says it reached a new contract agreement with Comcast to distribute all 15 of its regional sports partners, including Bally Sports North, to subscribers on Thursday August 1st. Customers must have Comcast’s Xfinity Ultimate T-V package to watch. The team said in a statement, “We are pleased that Minnesota Twins baseball on Bally Sports North will again be available to Comcast and Midco subscribers throughout Twins Territory.”
