>>Minnesota National Guard Opens Faribault Armory to Flood Victims
(Faribault, MN) — The Minnesota National Guard is opening the armory in Faribault for families displaced from their homes due to flooding. Major General Shawn Manke says, “we’re partnering with a good partner of ours, the Red Cross, who will help us open up that facility if needed for families to seek refuge and a little comfort in this very difficult time.” In addition, Manke says there are over 40 guard members in Waterville to help man seven pump stations and ensure their 24/7 operation.
>>Klobuchar and Walz Tour Flood Damage in South Central Minnesota
(Undated) — U-S Senator Amy Klobuchar says she’s committed to working with local and state leaders to help secure federal disaster relief funding in response to flooding. Klobuchar and Governor Tim Walz toured flooded areas of south-central Minnesota Tuesday, traveling over Le Suer, Henderson, Mankato, and Waterville. At last check, 40 Minnesota counties had been impacted by flooding, and seven had already submitted paperwork for emergency federal relief money.
>>Salvation Army Deploys Volunteers To Le Sueur, Rock and St. Louis Counties
(Roseville, MN) — The Northern Division of The Salvation Army has deployed teams to Le Sueur, Rock, and St. Louis counties as flooding continues to take its toll on the state. Spokesperson Dan Furry says volunteers from Brainerd and Duluth have just been sent to Cook Tuesday, a city that has seen severe damage. He says they are serving meals, drinks and and providing emotional care to folks affected by the flooding. Furry says as flooding recedes, assistance will move into a clean-up phase, working with local response teams to supply clean-up kits and gift cards for other necessities.
>>Very Few Homes in Minnesota Have Flood Insurance
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Department of Commerce says fewer than 11 thousand homes in the state are protected by flood insurance. That leaves most homeowners vulnerable to potential water and other damage. Officials say homeowners can purchase add-ons to their insurance policies for some types of flooding, such as sewer water backup coverage. Protection against significant flooding through the National Flood Insurance Program costs an average of 400 dollars per year. The Commerce Department encourages Minnesota homeowners to consider flood insurance as recent data show increased flood claims from unexpected rain events.
>>Minivan Rear-Ends Road Maintenance Flatbed Truck in St. Louis County
(Meadowlands Township, MN) — Two women are hospitalized in Duluth after their minivan rear-ended a flatbed truck that was repainting roadway markings on Highway 7. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says a passenger was airlifted to the hospital with serious injuries and the driver suffered non-life threatening injuries late Tuesday afternoon. The truck was part of a group of maintenance vehicles working on the roadway. Deputies say impairment is considered a factor in the crash.
>>Motorcyclist Killed in Crash with Semi Trailer in Fergus Falls
(Fergus Falls, MN) — Police are investigating a crash that left a motorcyclist dead on Tuesday in Fergus Falls. Officers say the cycle collided with the trailer of a semi at Lincoln Street and Interstate 94. The rider was found lying in the roadway and died at the scene. The report says the semi had exited eastbound I-94 and was making a left turn when the motorcycle collided with the trailer. The victim hasn’t been identified.
>>Authorities ID Woman Found Dead in Crashed Vehicle on I-90 near Rochester
(Rochester, MN) — Authorities are releasing the name a woman found dead in a crashed vehicle on Interstate 90 in southeastern Minnesota’s Olmsted County. The Southern Minnesota Medical Examiner’s Office says the victim is 35-year-old Liara Tsai of Minneapolis. Deputies found Tsai’s body in the backseat after a crash Saturday near the Eyota exit on Saturday morning. The driver, 32-year-old Margot Lewis of Iowa , was charged with interference with a dead body. Police in Minneapolis say they were evidence of violence at Tsai’s home.
>>Eden Prairie Massage Therapist Charged with Criminal Sexual Conduct
(Eden Prairie, MN) — Prosecutors are charging a massage therapist in Eden Prairie with two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office say 27-year-old John Vue was accused by two women of unwanted sexual touching during massages at Tigercave Massage and Foot Spa. This is the second instance of criminal sexual conduct charges involving the business in recent months. Officials say the victims’ courage in coming forward makes charges like these possible.
>>Surgeon General Declares Gun Violence a Public Health Crisis
(Washington, DC) — The U-S surgeon general is declaring gun violence a public health crisis, driven by the fast-growing number of injuries and deaths involving firearms in the country. To drive down gun deaths, Dr. Vivek Murthy, the nation’s top doctor, calls on the U-S to ban automatic rifles, introduce universal background checks for purchasing guns, regulate the industry, pass laws that would restrict their use in public spaces and penalize people who fail to safely store their weapons.
>>Minnesota Lynx Win WNBA Commissioner’s Cup in New York
(Elmont, NY) — The Minnesota Lynx topped the New York Liberty 94-89 Tuesday night to win the 2024 W-N-B-A Commissioner’s Cup championship. Bridget Carleton hit six three-pointers and scored 23 points while Napheesa Collier added 21 for Minnesota. The Lynx are winners of their first Commissioner’s Cup in the four-year history of the in-season tournament. The teams will split a half-million-dollar prize pool and players on Minnesota will earn up to 30 thousand dollars. The Lynx are also giving 23 thousand dollars to the charity Gender Justice.
