>>Flags Lowered in Minnesota to Honor Fallen Red Lake Officer Branch
(St. Paul, MN) — Flags are flying at half-staff on state buildings in Minnesota in honor and remembrance of Red Lake Tribal Police Officer Jesse Branch. Officer Branch died in a car crash on Highway 1 Wednesday while responding to a call. The other driver, Red Lake Tribal member Alan Lussier, Junior, was also killed. Governor Tim Walz says in his proclamation that Officer Branch was known for his love and dedication to Red Lake Nation, where he selflessly served the community. Homes and businesses are also encouraged to lower their flags to honor Branch.
>>Ballots Thrown Out in Scott County
(Scott County, MN) — Scott County officials believe election workers mistakenly threw out 20 absentee ballots during early voting. A 21-vote discrepancy between voter check-ins and ballots received was discovered in two Shakopee precincts. An audit concluded the votes were likely disposed of while they were in their secrecy envelopes but before being tabulated. Twenty ballots were in one precinct. This is House District 54-A, where D-F-L Representative Brad Tabke won re-election by 14 votes over G-O-P challenger Aaron Paul. House Republicans plan to contest the election results in court. The Minnesota House is currently tied with 67 members from each political party.
>>MN Office of Cannabis Management Rejects Medical Delivery Methods
(St. Paul, MN) — There will not be any new ways for patients to use medical marijuana in Minnesota next year. The Office of Cannabis Management rejected the petitions for three proposed cannabis delivery methods. They included vaporized concentrate, infused cannabis flower, and a dry powder inhaler. O-C-M officials say there is insufficient research on dry powder inhalation, but it could be reconsidered. They say infused flower and cannabis concentrates have high levels of T-H-C that could increase the risk of adverse health events.
>>Changes To Soon Impact West-Central Minnesota Farmers
(Ulen, MN) — Farmers in West-Central Minnesota and Eastern North Dakota are about to see changes. Members of West Central Ag. Services, a cooperative based in Ulen(U’-Linn), has voted to sell the cooperative to C-H-S, the largest farmer-owned cooperative in the country and a major player in global agribusiness. The deal, expected to close soon, will bring West Central Ag Services into C-H-S as a new business unit called C-H-S West Central. West Central Ag. Services provide grain and agronomy services to over 3,000 members across 14 locations. C-H-S is based in Inver Grove, Heights. (MN)
>>Hastings Man Killed Trying to Move Deer off Roadway in Dakota County
(Hastings, MN) — Authorities in Dakota County say a Hastings man is dead after getting hit by a car Wednesday morning while trying to move a deer off the roadway. Sheriff’s deputies say the 69-year-old man struck the deer on County Road 46, got out of his vehicle to remove the deer, and was hit by another car. First responders tried to save him, but he died at the scene. The report says the driver who struck him stopped and is cooperating with the investigation.
>>Waseca Mayor Sentenced In Perjury Case
(Waseca, MN) — The mayor of Waseca won’t be spending any additional time in jail after pleading guilty to perjury. Mayor Randy Zimmerman was sentenced to a year of probation yesterday. Zimmerman admitted that he lied on a 2022 voter registration application by saying he lived in Waseca when his address was outside the city limits. His guilty plea reduced the perjury charge from a felony to a gross misdemeanor. He was given credit for one day in jail and had 363 days of his sentence suspended in exchange for probation.
>>Minnesota To Be Represented In Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
(New York, NY) — Minnesota will have some representation in this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Minnesota-based JenniO will have its “Big Turkey Spectacular” float in the parade for the fifth consecutive year. Rosemount High School senior Noah Carlson will also be part of Macy’s “Greatest American Marching Band,” playing the mellophone. Today’s parade can be seen live on NBC beginning at 7:30 a.m.
>>Free Park Day Tomorrow In Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesotans seeking alternatives to Black Friday shopping can take advantage of Free Park Day tomorrow. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources offers four free park days yearly to encourage people to explore and enjoy nature. On this day, admission to all state parks will be free. Tomorrow’s Free Park Day is the last one for 2024.
