>>Walz Leading State’s 1st Trade Mission to Australia
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz is leading Minnesota’s first-ever trade mission to Australia today (Fri). The governor’s office says one of the goals is to establish new relationships with businesses in key industries, including medical technology, clean technology, higher education, and agriculture. Walz and a group of state officials, ag, and state company leaders will visit major business centers in Sydney and Melbourne. Minnesota’s total trade in goods with Australia last year was valued at 579 million dollars. The country was the state’s 13th-largest market for goods and 19th-largest for agricultural products.
>>State Commission Seeks Input on New MN Flag and Seal Designs
(St. Paul, MN) — The State Emblems Redesign Commission is asking for public input as it considers artwork for the new Minnesota flag and seal. Chair Anita Gaul says more than 21 hundred designs are posted on the Minnesota Historical Society website and there’s a “leave a comment” button on the page. She says those comments will be placed on a giant spreadsheet and will help commission members select the top submissions. The designs include loons, the North Star, pine trees, lakes, fish, and the outline of Minnesota. Gaul says the commission will narrow the list down to five finalists on November 21st.
>>Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign Kicks Off
(Roseville, MN) — The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign kicks off today(Fri) across Minnesota. Spokesman Dan Furry says bell ringers are critically important and an unattended kettle raises no money. He says they have thousands of shifts that go unfilled and they need red kettle volunteers to help people in our communities. Furry is asking people to be as generous as they can, at a time when many Minnesotans are struggling. You can sign up for a red kettle shift a Salvation Army-North-dot-org.
>>Brooklyn Center Man Dies of Injuries Suffered in NE Minneapolis Shooting
(Minneapolis, MN) — A man shot in the head in northeast Minneapolis this week did not survive his injuries. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office says 28-year-old Malik Payne of Brooklyn Center was found wounded inside a vehicle early Tuesday and died in the hospital late Wednesday night. Police haven’t reported any arrests in Payne’s shooting in the St. Anthony Main neighborhood of Minneapolis.
>>Rochester High School Student Arrested for Alleged Knife Threats
(Rochester, MN) — – Police in Rochester say a 15-year-old boy was arrested for allegedly pulling a knife during a fight at Century High School. School staff reported a fight between several students Wednesday afternoon and one of the kids reportedly threatened other classmates and a teacher with a knife. The suspect was taken to the Anoka County Juvenile Detention Center and is expected to face felony charges including assault, threats of violence, and possession of a dangerous weapon on school property. The Rochester School District notified the families of Century students about the situation through an email.
>>Caribou Coffee to Close 1st Location in Minnesota
(Edina, MN) — Minnesota-based Caribou Coffee is closing its first location. The company opened its first store on France Avenue in Edina in 1992. A real estate company has listed the retail space as available to lease and the listing prominently features pictures of the store, which is advertised as the “original Caribou Coffee.” No date for the closure of the Edina store has been announced. Caribou’s headquarters are in Brooklyn Center.
>>Allegiant Airlines Expands Service Between St. Cloud and Arizona
(St. Cloud, MN) — Allegiant Airlines is announcing the return of year-round service between St. Cloud and Arizona. To meet demand, company officials say the current flights between St. Cloud and Phoenix/Mesa will continue through the summer of 2024 without disruption. It marks the return of year-round service after being seasonally discontinued for the past two summers. The flights will be twice weekly non-stop on Mondays and Fridays during the summer months. The current schedule is twice per week to Phoenix/Mesa, which increases to four flights per week in February through the spring break season.
>>Hozier Coming to MN in 2024
(St. Paul, MN) — Popular Irish singer/songwriter Hozier is prolonging his North American “The Unreal Unearth Tour” into 2024, and he’s coming to Minnesota. Hozier will perform at St. Paul’s Xcel Energy Center on Saturday, August 17th, 2024. Tickets go on sale next Friday at noon at livenation.com