>>DFL Senators Stand with Hormel Workers in Lawsuit
(St. Paul, MN) — Democratic state senators say they stand with Hormel workers at the Austin meatpacking plant who have filed a class action lawsuit against their employer. The workers say Hormel is violating the earned sick and safe time statute. This is the first lawsuit of its kind since the law passed in 2023. In the complaint, the workers allege that Hormel Foods was forcing employees to use collectively bargained vacation time rather than sick leave, among other claims. Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy says she is rooting for these workers, and quote, “so is every person in this state who believes in hard work and access to health care.” The lawsuit includes more than 1,600 union employees.
>>Minnesota SUN Bucks Fight Summer Hunger
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota is helping families put food on the table this summer through SUN Bucks, the state’s updated Summer E-B-T program. So far, benefits have been issued to more than 390,000 children. Dr. Shaneen Moore with the Department of Children, Youth and Families says the program reduces severe food insecurity by 33%. SUN Bucks can be used to buy healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains, and dairy. Families have 122 days from the date of issuance to use the benefits. Enrollment is open through August 31st.
>>Walz Touts WalletHub Report Ranking Minnesota #3 for Health Care
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz is touting a new WalletHub study that ranks Minnesota as the third-best state for health care. States were ranked on 44 indicators including cost, access, and health outcomes. Walz says, “We’ve worked to lower the cost of prescription drugs, stabilize health insurance costs, and lift the burden of medical debt.” WalletHub found Minnesota offers the most convenient care clinics per capita, has the eighth-lowest average monthly health insurance premiums, and Minnesotans wait just 16 minutes to be seen in an emergency room . This is the third straight year Minnesota has ranked in the top three.
>>Ex-Minneapolis Officer Kueng Petitions to End Probation Early
(St. Paul, MN) — One of the former Minneapolis police officers convicted in connection with George Floyd’s death is seeking early termination of his federal probation. J. Alexander Kueng was released from federal custody in January after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter and he was also convicted of violating Floyd’s civil rights. He is currently serving a two-year probation term. In a court filing Wednesday, Kueng’s attorney argued that he has fully complied with the terms of his release, and that continued supervision is unnecessary. The filing also claims that extending his probation wastes limited correctional resources. Despite the request, Kueng’s probation officer has reportedly opposed ending the supervision early.
>>Pedestrian Struck and Killed by Semi in Sibley County
(Green Isle, MN) — The State Patrol reports a woman is dead after being hit a by a semi Wednesday morning in south central Minnesota’s Sibley County. Troopers say 73-year-old Mary Ott of Green Isle Township was crossing at the intersection of Highways 5 and 25 when she was struck by the truck. The report says Ott died at the scene. The Gaylord man driving the semi wasn’t hurt and alcohol was not involved.
>>Dramatic Crow River Rescue in Meeker County
(Forest City, MN) — A woman from Darwin is okay following dramatic river rescue Tuesday evening in Meeker County. Authorities say they found 44-year-old Rae Kurtz clinging to a tree in the Crow River with only her face and arms visible above water. Deputies crawled onto the downed tree, pulled her from the current, and helped her to safety. Kurtz and a friend had been tubing when she was swept away and struck the tree. She managed to call her daughter, who alerted 9-1-1 and G-P-S helped rescuers locate her. Kurtz was treated at the scene and a deputy was hospitalized for exhaustion.
>>25 Hospitalized After Severe Turbulence on Delta Flight
(Minneapolis, MN) — A Delta Air Lines flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam was forced to divert to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Wednesday evening. Officials say the plane encountered severe turbulence that sent 25 people to the hospital. The flight carrying 275 passengers and 13 crew members landed safely at M-S-P just before 8 o’clock last night.
>>Monticello Teen Missing Since June
(Monticello, MN) — Authorities are searching for 16-year-old Evan Peters of Monticello who left his home on June 27th and has since stopped communicating with his family. The Minnesota B-C-A has classified him as an endangered missing person. Peters is known as an “urban explorer” who frequents abandoned buildings and tunnels and is believed to be in the Twin Cities. He is described as 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighs 145 pounds, and has brown hair and brown eyes. Evan has tattoos on his hands and a radioactive symbol on his right shoulder. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Wright County Sheriff’s Office.
>> MFMA Getting Ready for National Farmers Market Week
(St. Paul, MN) — Next week is National Farmers Market Week, and the Minnesota Farmers Market Association is looking forward to celebrating. Executive Director Kathy Zeman says Minnesota has 402 farmers markets with more than 10,000 vendors across the state. She says if you add all the markets together, they provide a roughly $500 million economic impact on the state. Zeman says farmers markets also allow local communities to show off a variety of products.
>>Minnesota Lynx Beat New York Liberty in Finals Rematch
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Lynx are celebrating a 100-93 win over the defending W-N-B-A champion New York Liberty last night at Target Center. Napheesa Collier led Minnesota with 30 points, Kayla McBride scored 24, Alanna Smith added 12 points, and Courtney Williams had a career-high 13 assists. The Lynx made a season-high 15 three-pointers against New York. Sabrina Ionescu put up 31 points in the loss for the 17-and-9 Liberty. The 23-and-5 Lynx play Saturday afternoon at the Las Vegas Aces.
>>Twins Trade Closer Duran to Phillies
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Twins are saying goodbye to closer Jhoan Duran. The team traded Duran to the Phillies Thursday for catcher Eduardo Tait and pitcher Mick Abel. Tait is Philadelphia’s fourth ranked prospect and Able is ranked sixth. Duran is 6-and-4 with a 2.01 E-R-A and 16 saves in 49 appearances for Minnesota this season. The Twins put out a statement thanking Duran “for bringing the heat and fire every time you came on the field.”
