>>5 Confirmed Cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Minnesota
(Willmar, MN) — There’s another major outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Minnesota. The state Board of Animal Health’s Doctor Shauna Voss says within the last week we’ve had a total of five confirmed cases of H-P-A-I in our poultry populations. She says that includes commercial turkey farms and an egg layer facility in Meeker County that had more than one-point-three million birds. Voss says this is an ongoing bird flu outbreak that actually started in the spring of 2022. She says they are working with producers to make sure they are implementing mitigation measures to help protect their farms.
>>Study Shows Minnesota Farms Certified for ‘Ag Water Quality’ More Profitable
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Department of Agriculture says five years of data show farms certified for “Ag Water Quality” are more profitable than those without that distinction. Program manager Brad Jordahl Redlin says that’s the case on a wide variety of farm operations across the state, and suspects it’s because there’s a closer look given to farms that ultimately receive certification. Jordahl Redlin indicates use of fertilizers and pesticides, tilling practices, crop rotation and other practices are assessed to minimize runoff and other negative effects on water resources.
>>State Health Officials Launch Office of American Indian Health
(St. Paul, MN) — The state Health Department has officially launched the new statewide Office of American Indian Health which the legislature authorized in 2023. Tribal liaison Ravyn (RAY-vin) Gibbs says one of the large initiatives the office is leading, is investment in tribal public health systems infrastructure. The new office is tasked with promoting public health in Native American communities through partnerships, targeted initiatives, and investments in housing, transportation, education, health care, economic opportunities, and criminal justice. Native Americans nationwide and in Minnesota have lower life expectancy and higher incidence of chronic disease than the population-at-large.
>>Apparent Drowning of 4-Year-Old Boy Under Investigation in Marshall
(Marshall, MN) — Authorities in southwest Minnesota are investigating the apparent drowning of a young boy in Marshall. Police received a call about a missing child late Wednesday afternoon and search crews found an unresponsive four-year-old boy in the Redwood River about 35 minutes later. Emergency responders administered life-saving measures at the scene and in the ambulance, but the victim died at the hospital. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the boy’s official cause of death. Officers say foul play is not suspected.
>>Minor Injuries in School Bus/Vehicle Crash in Duluth
(Duluth, MN) — Minor injuries are reported in a school bus versus vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon in Duluth’s Kenwood neighborhood, not far from the College of Saint Scholastica (skoe-LASS-tih-cuh). Police say the school bus was making a left turn when it was struck by a vehicle on the intersecting road. Three people on the bus — the driver, another adult and a student — had non-life-threatening injuries. The female driver of the vehicle was treated at the scene. Officials say there were no signs of impairment and investigators will review the crash for potential charges.
>>Timberwolves Host Mavericks in Game 5 of Western Conference Finals
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Timberwolves and Mavericks play Game 5 of the N-B-A Western Conference Finals tonight (Thurs 7:30pm) at Target Center. Minnesota trails Dallas three games-to-one in the best-of-seven series after a 105-100 win Tuesday at American Airlines Center. Anthony Edwards scored 29 points and Karl-Anthony Towns had 25 in Dallas. The Wolves need a victory on their home court this evening to force a Game 6.
>>Minnesota PWHL Team Wins Inaugural Walter Cup Championship
(Lowell, MA) — The Minnesota Professional Women’s Hockey League (P-W-H-L) team is celebrating the first-ever Walter Cup championship. Minnesota shut out Boston 3-0 in Game 5 of the P-W-H-L Finals Wednesday night in Massachusetts. P-W-H-L Advisory Board member and tennis legend Billy Jean King presented the Walter Cup trophy to captain Kendall Coyne Schofield. Former Golden Gopher All-American Taylor Heise was named playoff M-V-P. Heise said, “Minnesota is home right now and that’s something we’re gonna bring this back to. We’re the State of Hockey and I think that proves it.” Goaltender Nicole Hensley made 17 saves for the shutout victory.
