>>Severe Thunderstorms Pack Strong Winds, Drop Large Hail in Minnesota
(Chanhassen, MN) — The severe thunderstorms that moved across Minnesota Wednesday afternoon and evening were packing strong winds and large hail. The National Weather Service reported two-and-a-half-inch hail near Backus, Chisholm and Finlayson; two inch in White Earth and Crosslake, one-and-three-quarter inch hail in Madison, Walker and Aitkin; and one inch stones in Alexandria, Breckenridge, Zimmerman and Ely. The top wind gust was 61 miles per hour near Sartell which downed trees and caused a power outage. There is a lot of damage in Crow Wing County including trees down and a boat lift and dock destroyed in Breezy Point. Several severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings were issued. One reported indicated a tornado on the ground in Morrison County.
>>First Lady Jill Biden Making “Seniors for Biden-Harris” Campaign Stop in Duluth
(Duluth, MN) — First Lady Jill Biden visits Duluth today (Thurs) for the national launch of “Seniors for Biden-Harris.” Campaign manager Julia Chavez Rodriguez says it’s “vitally important” to engage seniors because they know President Biden is the only candidate in this race fighting for lower prescription drug and health care costs and to protect and safeguard Medicare and Social Security.” Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman David Hann (HAN) respond polls show seniors support Trump more than Biden and, “the reality of what they deal with day-to-day: inflation, taxation, the stagnant economy, even public safety here in Minnesota issues, are concerns that seniors have.”
>>Republicans Warn of Legislative Auditor’s Report on Feeding our Future
(St. Paul, MN) — A top Republican lawmaker says Minnesotans will be “shocked” by the findings when a Legislative Auditor’s report comes out this morning (Thurs 9am) on how the state Education Department oversaw the Feeding our Future program. It has been the focus of federal indictments against dozens of defendants outside state government in a 250-million-dollar fraud case. House G-O-P Minority Leader Lisa Demuth says despite recent leadership changes at the state Education Department, “we are going to make sure that Governor Walz is held accountable and not that it’s pushed off to potential changeover in administration or whatever that might be.” State Education Department officials said they notified federal investigators of suspected fraud, resulting in dozens of criminal indictments.
>>State Revenue, IT Officials Working to Re-Open E-Bike Rebate Application Site
(St. Paul, MN) — Officials with the Minnesota Department of Revenue and I-T Services say they continue working to re-open applications for the state’s e-bike rebate program. They have not determined a specific date and plan to give at least four days’ notice before re-opening. The site crashed last Wednesday due to high demand and fewer than 80 people successfully submitted applications. The update says the state expects to award about 13 hundred e-bike rebates this year. Some purchases qualify for rebates of up to 15 hundred dollars.
>>Duluth PD Adds 10 Firefighters to Tactical Response Team
(Duluth, MN) — The Duluth Police Department is welcoming ten Duluth firefighters to its Tactical Response Team. The firefighters are known as Tactical Emergency Medical Support operators, or TEMS operators. Officials say they will be the initial medical responders during high-risk calls for service and are specially trained to handle possible injuries. Police Chief Mike Ceynowa says firefighters trained with the Tactical Response Team is another example of how the community expects us to be prepared.
>>Sartell Man Pleads Guilty to Criminal Vehicular Homicide in Pedestrian Crash
(Sauk Rapids, MN) — A man from Benton County will be sentenced in September for fatally hitting a pedestrian with his pickup last July in Sauk Rapids. Prosecutors say 26-year-old Tyler Nies pleaded guilty to criminal vehicular homicide in the death of 47-year-old Kevin Oehmen of Sauk Rapids. Sheriff’s deputies said they smelled alcohol on Nies and a breathalyzer test showed his preliminary blood-alcohol level was .129. A D-W-I charge will be dropped at his sentencing hearing on September 11th.
>>Feds Indict Man for Alleged Bombing of Minneapolis Hair Salon
(Minneapolis, MN) — A federal indictment charges a Minneapolis man in an alleged bombing a Minneapolis hair salon in November of 2022. Court documents say a homemade explosive device detonated at the Studio 4-1-1 Salon, damaging the exterior and interior of the business. Prosecutors say a Ring video camera recorded 59-year-old Michael Franciso placing the device on the window of the salon and fleeing before it went off. Francisco is also accused of throwing a rock and breaking a window of the salon a year later. D-N-A evidence connected Francisco to both incidents.
>>Twins Pound Rockies with 24 Hits in 19-7 Win at Target Field
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Twins pounded out 24 hits in a 17-9 win over the Colorado Rockies in the series finale Wednesday at Target Field. Carlos Correa had a career-high five hits and Royce Lewis and Willi Castro both had home runs. Manager Rocco Baldelli called it a “pretty special offensive day.” Starting pitcher Pablo Lopez allowed two runs over five innings for his sixth win of the season. The Twins open a four-game series with Oakland tonight (Thurs) at home.
