>>Winter Storm Could Drop a Foot of Snow Across South Central Minnesota
(Chanhassen, MN) — A major winter storm is expected to move across the state later today (Sat) and continue through Sunday. National Weather Service Meteorologist Melissa Dye says the heaviest snow will likely fall in south central Minnesota. She says that area could potentially see a foot to a foot-and-a-half with 20 inches or more in some localized areas. The snow could fall at a one to two-inch rate per hour overnight. Strong winds could create blizzard conditions on Sunday.
>>Walz Activates Minnesota National Guard Ahead of Winter Storm
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz is declaring a peacetime emergency and authorizing the Minnesota National Guard to assist with emergency storm operations this weekend. State officials say Steele County has already requested National Guard support, and additional counties may do the same as conditions worsen. The emergency order takes effect immediately and remains in place until storm-related conditions subside or until Thursday, March 19th, whichever comes first.
>>Woman Dies in Bloomington Jail Cell Friday Morning
(Bloomington, MN) — Hennepin County authorities are investigating the death of a woman in the Bloomington jail. Police say staff found the 29-year-old woman unresponsive early Friday morning in a single cell. Officers and paramedics provided medical aid, but she died at the scene. The medical examiner is working to determine the cause and manner of death.
>>Schultz Wins Bronze Medal in Paralympic Snowboarding in Italy
(Cortina, IT) — St. Cloud snowboarder Mike Schultz is celebrating a bronze medal win at the Paralympic Winter Games in Italy. Forty-four-year-old Schultz won the bronze Friday for Team U-S-A in the banked slalom. He told reporters, “Coming home with the bronze medal is the most incredible feeling, especially when this was the last race in my snowboard career. “ Schultz has won four career Paralympic medals.
>>Senate Panel Advances Assault-Style Weapons Ban
(St. Paul, MN) — The Senate Judiciary Committee on Friday advanced several gun-related bills, including a proposal to ban assault rifles and high-capacity magazines. The measure passed on a 6-3 party-line vote, with all Democrats on the committee supporting it. DFL Senator Judy Seeberger urged lawmakers to set politics aside as the legislation moves forward. “This is a complex and difficult issue, but we must do something,” she said. “I implore my fellow lawmakers to take the partisanship out of this discussion and work together. The bill now heads to the Senate Finance Committee for further consideration.
>>Operation Metro Surge Economic Impact Discussed Monday at Capitol
(St. Paul, MN) – The economic impact of Operation Metro Surge on Minnesota will be discussed Monday at the Capitol. The House Ways and Means Committee will look at the cost on schools, local governments, and small business owners. The discussion will be led by DFL Representative Cedrick Frazier of New Hope. School administrators and small business owners will also share their perspectives.
>>Corn Spill Along Railroad Tracks Linked to Deer Deaths in Kittson County
(Thief River Falls, MN) — A long-distance corn spill that began in early January and continued unnoticed for weeks has led to the deaths of more than 100 deer in northern Minnesota. The spill stretched nearly 80 miles from Thief River Falls to the Canadian border after a rail car accidentally opened, dumping corn continuously along the tracks. Residents began reporting carcasses throughout January and February, with videos posted on Facebook recently showing deer feeding on the spilled grain. Wildlife farmer Steve Porter estimates the toll could reach 100 to 200 deer, as starving animals tried to outrun oncoming trains rather than leap into deep snow. The Minnesota DNR confirmed the spill and says such winter accidents aren’t unusual, though this one has drawn widespread concern.
>>Dental Shortage Deepens in Greater Minnesota
(Minneapolis, MN) — Minnesota leaders are sounding the alarm on a deepening rural dentist shortage, one the University of Minnesota says demands urgent investment to protect access to care statewide. It’s estimated the state loses about 160 dentists to retirement each year, but only 120 new dentists graduate, and not all stay in Minnesota. Today, more than 200 Minnesota communities are designated dental shortage areas, and the demand is expected to surge to a shortfall of 680 dentists within the next decade if nothing changes. The U of M is asking lawmakers for $100 million to expand and modernize its dental school, boosting training capacity and strengthening rural pipelines to get more dentists into Greater Minnesota.
>>Farm Concerns on the Rise
(Undated) — Minnesota’s farm economy is facing mounting pressure as low corn and soybean prices collide with rapidly rising input costs. Farmers across the state report that higher fuel and fertilizer prices are squeezing already thin margins, pushing many to consider selling land or seeking outside income. At the same time, severe drought in southern Minnesota is drying out fields before planting, worsening financial strain. These challenges have driven a four-fold surge in farmer-lender mediation requests, and more than 1,300 farms were lost last year, underscoring a crisis reshaping rural communities statewide.
>>Annual Township Day Meetings
(Undated) — Minnesota townships held their annual Township Day meetings this week. The meetings gave residents a chance to discuss local issues and vote on matters that directly affect their community. Many townships also use the day to elect officers and approve their annual tax levy.
Minnesota has 1,776 townships with more than 918,000 residents. Some operate like small cities, while others remain rural and agricultural.
>>Minnesota Health Officials Urge Regular Well Testing
(St. Paul, MN) — Drinking contaminated water can lead to serious illness and even death over time, and the Minnesota Department of Health is urging private well owners to test their water regularly. Spokeswoman Tannie Eshenaur(Esh-Now-Err)says people often assume they can judge water quality by taste, smell, or appearance – but that’s not the case. “The only way to really know if your water is safe to drink is if you send a sample to an accredited laboratory,” she says.
Health officials recommend testing for five key contaminants common in Minnesota: nitrate, coliform bacteria, arsenic, lead, and manganese. Routine testing, they say, is the best way to detect problems before they become a health risk.
