>>Perfect Opening Day for Fishing
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources estimates that around 500,000 people will participate in today’s fishing opener. This marks the opening day for walleye, northern pike, and stream trout stocked in inland lakes. Additionally, catch-and-release fishing for bass also begins today. Fishing license sales are up over last year at this time.
>>Fire Danger High Across Minnesota
(Undated) — Sixty-one Minnesota counties will be under a fire weather watch this weekend due to the low humidity and strong winds. Leanne Langeberg (LANG’-uh-berg) of the Interagency Fire Center says all the boat trailers on the roads for the fishing opener pose a fire risk. She says, “chains that drag along asphalt can spark, and we’ve got these dry grasses right next to roads and highways, and those can quickly catch and carry wildfires.”
Langeberg says human activity is to blame for nine out of ten wildfires. A fire weather watch goes into effect today (Sat) for five northwest Minnesota counties and 56 more counties tomorrow.
>>18-Year-Old Killed in 3-Way Crash
(Crow Wing County, MN) — An 18-year-old is dead after a three-vehicle crash in Crow Wing County on Friday morning. Police say a northbound dump truck and a southbound SUV collided, hitting a second SUV near Manhattan Beach. Despite lifesaving efforts on the SUV driver, they died at the scene. Their front passenger was airlifted in critical condition, and a rear passenger was brought to a local hospital with presumed non-life-threatening injuries. No arrests have been made. The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating the crash.
>>Fatal Motorcycle Crash in Shakopee
(Shakopee, MN) — A motorcyclist died after a crash on Highway 169 Friday night in Shakopee. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the motorcyclist crashed into the cable median barrier, with the preliminary investigation indicating he experienced a medical episode while driving. He was taken to a local hospital, where he died.
>>Officer, Man Injured During Domestic Disturbance Call
(St. Cloud, MN) — A St. Cloud Police Officer shot a man in the arm after he allegedly lunged at the officer with a knife during a domestic disturbance call. Upon arrival, officers spoke to a man and a woman, but the man left and sat in a parked vehicle. He then refused to exit the car. When he finally got out, he lunged at an officer with a knife, resulting in the officer firing one shot that struck the man in the arm. Another officer then used a taser, and the man was taken into custody.
>>Duluth Airport Awarded $5.98 Million for Air Traffic Control Tower
(Washington, DC) — Duluth International Airport is getting nearly six million dollars in federal funding for a new air traffic control tower. Congressman Pete Stauber and U-S Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith announced the award from the F-A-A’s terminal program. Senator Smith says this investment will make air travel in the Duluth area safer and more efficient. The current air traffic control tower was built in the 1950s.
>>Stamp Out Hunger Event Returns
(Undated) — The Stamp Out Hunger food drive is back today (Sat) for the first time since the pandemic in 2020. Duluth letter carrier George Rennan says the need for all non-perishable foods is great. Rennan is asking residents to place food donations by their mailbox by nine a.m. today (Sat) so volunteers can pick it up before mail delivery. Rennan says this year’s food drive comes when food insecurity is at an all-time high in Minnesota. All donations will go to local food shelves and charities.
>>Wolves and Warriors Play Game 3 of West Semifinals in Bay Area
(San Francisco, CA) — The Timberwolves and Warriors play Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals tonight (Sat, 7:30 pm) at the Chase Center in San Francisco. Minnesota beat Golden State 117-93 at Target Center on Thursday to even the series 1-1. Anthony Edwards left the game with an ankle injury but returned for the second half. Warriors point guard Steph Curry is out again tonight with a strained hamstring.
