>>FEMA Approves Individual Assistance for Flood Victims in 19 Minnesota Counties
(Undated) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says Minnesotans across 19 counties are eligible to request individual assistance under an expanded federal disaster declaration from severe storms on June 16th. Governor Tim Walz and Minnesota’s congressional delegation requested the aid after damage assessments documented “significant destruction to homes and businesses across the state.” The declaration includes the counties of Blue Earth, Cook, Cottonwood, Faribault, Freeborn, Goodhue, Itasca, Jackson, Lake, Le Sueur, Mower, Nicollet, Nobles, Rice, Rock, St. Louis, Steele, Waseca, and Watonwan. FEMA says additional counties may be added, if warranted by the results of damage assessments. Flood victims in those counties are encouraged to file an application on FEMA’s website (disasterassistance.gov).
>>More Buzz for Governor Walz as Vice Presidential Running Mate
(St.Paul, MN) — East Coast political pundits are abuzz about the possibility of Governor Tim Walz being Vice President Kamala (CAH-muh-luh) Harris’s choice for her running mate. Some analysts saying Walz calling Republican rivals Donald Trump and J-D Vance “just weird” moved him up on the short list. Back in Minnesota, over two dozen labor leaders are urging Harris to pick Walz. Education Minnesota teachers union President Denise Specht (SPECK) said, “when he had the chance to partner with the legislature and said, okay team, let’s go, and they really did go.” Republicans respond Democrats’ trifecta grew government, increased taxes and legalized abortion up to the moment of birth. Current reports say Harris has whittled choices down to a short list that includes Walz, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.
>>Senator Bernie Sanders Coming to Minnesota for Town Hall, DFL Campaigns
(Minneapolis, MN) — Vermont Senator and former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders will be in Minnesota this weekend for a town hall meeting and a get-out-the-vote rally. The town hall meeting is Friday night (6pm) at Minnesota State University Mankato, but Democrats’ candidate for U-S House in the 1st District, Rachel Bohman will not be there, her campaign says due to a family commitment. Analysts generally rate Bohman as a long shot against incumbent Republican Congressman Brad Finstad. And Saturday noon at a high school (Edison) in northeast Minneapolis, Sanders rallies with 5th District Congresswoman Ilhan Omar and Senator Tina Smith. Omar is in a rematch in next month’s Democratic primary against Don Samuels, the former Minneapolis city councilmember who was two points away from beating her two years ago.
>>Court Hearing for Lutsen Resort with Financial Troubles at Superior Shores
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(Two Harbors, MN) — There’s a court hearing today (Wed) as Bryce Campbell, who ran the historic Lutsen Lodge until it burned to the ground last February, faces additional financial trouble at Superior Shores. That’s another resort he’s been running farther down the North Shore at Two Harbors. A Lake County judge at least temporarily handed over operation of the massive property to an Iowa-based company, citing Campbell’s three missed payments to the seller totaling nearly 13 million dollars, failure to pay property taxes and other expenses, and not keeping the properties “in good repair, working order and condition.” The Star Tribune reports attorneys for both sides are due in court today to debate the property’s operation under receivership. Meanwhile, state officials say the investigation continue into the fire that destroyed the iconic Lutsen Lodge, which was believed to be Minnesota’s oldest resort.
>>Fundraising Continues for National Loon Center in Crosslake
(Crosslake, MN) — The National Loon Center project in Crosslake is just under five million dollars short of its 18-and-a-half-million-dollar fundraising goal. Director Jon Mobek (MOH’-beck) says they hope to break ground before the loons fly south this fall. He says they’re speaking with and talking to a number of individuals, foundations and corporations about donations and sponsorships and naming rights opportunities. Mobek says they made a request of six-and-a-half-million dollars to state lawmakers for a bonding bill but it did not pass this year. The National Loon Center will feature hands-on learning, educational and interactive exhibits, and a floating University of Minnesota classroom.
>>Washington County Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Cousin’s Shooting Death
(Stillwater, MN) — A Washington County man is sentenced to more than 30 years in state prison for the fatal shooting of his cousin last February in Newport. Prosecutors say 39-year-old Sylvester Jones pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of Terrell E. McIntyre and agreed to serve the maximum sentence under state guidelines. Jones admitted to shooting McIntyre multiple times while he was in the driver’s seat of a vehicle in the Newport transit center parking lot. The alleged murder weapon was later found in Jones’ bedroom.
>>Dakota County Sheriff Offers $5 K Reward in Search for Missing Randolph Woman
(Randolph, MN) — Dakota County authorities are now offering a five-thousand-dollar reward for information about a woman missing from Randolph Township. Fifty-six-year-old Nicole “Nikki” Anderson left her home July 6th and never returned. Sheriff’s deputies say Anderson left behind her cell phone, wallet, glasses, and medication. Law enforcement have searched the area around Anderson’s home and exhausted efforts to locate her. Anyone with information about Anderson’s whereabout is asked to call the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip Line (651-438-TIPS ). Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Minnesota.
>>Minnesota Regional Poison Center Sees Uptick in Wild Mushroom Exposures
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota is seeing an uptick in mushroom exposures that are making people sick. Since April, the Minnesota Regional Poison Center has received 90 calls for potential exposure compared to 26 last year in the same period. Many common mushrooms found in the backyard can be harmful to pets and humans. While most cases have been mild, officials warn that ingesting toxic mushrooms may require immediate medical care, even if symptoms aren’t felt right away. If you suspect someone has eaten a wild mushroom, officials recommend calling the Minnesota Regional Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.
