>>Senate Votes To Advance Proposal To End Government Shutdown
(Washington, DC) — The longest government shutdown in U.S. history may be on the verge of coming to an end. In a 60-40 vote, eight members of the Senate Democratic caucus joined Republicans in advancing a stopgap measure that would fund the government through January 30th. Sunday’s vote came after an agreement was reached that included a future vote on extending health care subsidies and assurances that federal workers furloughed during the shutdown would be reinstated. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith opposed the deal because it did not include an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies, which they argued would lead to significantly higher health insurance premiums for Minnesotans.
>>Nearly 100 Flights Canceled at MSP on Sunday Amid Federal Air Traffic Restrictions
(Bloomington, MN) — Nearly 100 flights were canceled at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Sunday, as federal air traffic restrictions remain in effect. According to FlightAware, 97 flights were canceled, with an additional 47 cancellations already projected for today. The disruptions come as the U.S. Senate begins initial steps toward ending the ongoing government shutdown, which has impacted operations across the country, including air travel.
>>Man Pleads Guilty in Wildfire That Burned 12,000 Acres Near Brimson
A 27-year-old Duluth man has admitted to starting a wildfire that scorched thousands of acres in northeastern Minnesota earlier this year. Parker Wilson pleaded guilty to leaving a campfire unattended near Brimson on May 11th, which led to the Camp House Fire. The blaze lasted nearly two weeks, consuming more than 12,000 acres and damaging over 150 structures. It later merged with other fires to form the Brimson Fire Complex. Wilson was cited for failing to extinguish a fire, a petty misdemeanor under state law. He was fined $190 after pleading guilty.
>>Brainerd Man Killed in Single-Vehicle Crash in Crow Wing County
(Oak Lawn Township, MN) — A 56-year-old Brainerd man died in a single-vehicle crash Friday night in Crow Wing County. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, William Gardner was driving on Highway 18 in Oak Lawn Township when his vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree. Gardner was pronounced dead at the scene. The State Patrol confirmed he was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, and alcohol was not a factor.
>>St. Cloud Man Arrested in Connection to Deadly Dallas RV Fire
(Stearns County, MN) — A Minnesota man wanted in connection with a fatal RV fire in Dallas has been arrested along Interstate 94 in Stearns County. 30year-old Lamont Richardson of St. Cloud of St. Cloud, was taken into custody Friday near Sauk Centre by the U.S. Marshals Service. He was booked into the Stearns County Jail on an arson charge. The arrest follows an investigation into a deadly blaze that occurred on October 19th outside a Dallas residence. The fire claimed the life of 68-year-old Leslie McBride, who was inside the RV at the time. Authorities have not revealed a possible motive for the arson.
>>Suspect Arrested for Deadly Shooting in Mankato
(Mankato, MN) — Authorities in Mankato are investigating a shooting that left one person dead and another in jail. Officers found the victim dead inside a vehicle around 9:30 Sunday morning. They believe the victim drove to the area before dying from their injuries. Police say the suspect was arrested a short time later, and a gun was recovered. No other information is being released.
>>Walz Leading Gun Violence Prevention Town Hall Meeting in Stillwater
(Stillwater, MN) — Governor Tim Walz is hosting the latest town hall discussion on gun violence prevention today (Mon 1:45pm) in Stillwater. Walz will be joined by state lawmakers, doctors, pastors, teachers, and gun violence survivors. The governor’s office says the conversation will be focused on legislation and ways to prevent gun violence and protect Minnesota families. First Lady Gwen Walz led a discussion on gun violence prevention on Thursday in Rochester.
>>Split Rock Lighthouse Honors 50th Anniversary of Edmund Fitzgerald Tragedy
(Duluth, MN) — Today at 4 p.m., Split Rock Lighthouse will host its annual Beacon Memorial Lighting Ceremony, marking 50 years since the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald in Lake Superior. The solemn event pays tribute to the 29 crew members who lost their lives on November 10th, 1975. Site manager Hayes Scriven says the ceremony begins with the singing of the Navy Hymn, followed by a poignant tradition known as the Mustering of the Last Watch. “Then we go into the actual mustering of the last watch – where we read aloud the crew members’ names and then ring a bell,” Scriven explains. “We do that 29 times for the crew members, and then we’ve added one final bell for all the sailors that have been lost on the Great Lakes. And then we light the beacon here at the lighthouse, and that’ll go for about two hours.” This year’s program also features remarks from Lee Radzak, former site manager at Split Rock, who began the memorial tradition 40 years ago. Visitors can tour the lighthouse and view a film about the Edmund Fitzgerald, offering a deeper look into one of the Great Lakes’ most haunting maritime disasters.
>>Get harvested deer tested for CWD
(Undated) — If you were lucky enough to harvest a deer during Minnesota’s firearms deer opener this weekend, you’re encouraged to get it tested for chronic wasting disease. Wildlife Health Supervisor Erik Hildebrand, any deer harvested that’s over a year and a half old needs to be sampled for CWD. Hildebrand says if you harvest a deer in a certain hunting zone, it’ll also be required it get tested for CWD. More information on where those zones are and if you need to submit a CWD sample can be found on the DNR’s website.
