>>Officials Expect Big Black Friday at Mall of America
(Bloomington, MN) — The Mall of America is expecting up to 250 thousand shoppers on this Black Friday. Officials say there are lots of prizes, sales and blockbuster deals today at the 500 retailers. An M-O-A survey found 86 percent of shoppers will shop in-person on Black Friday. There will be live entertainment all holiday weekend at the mega mall in Bloomington.
>>MN Soldier Who Died in Korean War to be Buried at Fort Snelling
(Minneapolis, MN) — A Minnesota soldier who died during the Korean War is being returned home for burial. Army Corporal William E. Colby from Minneapolis was just 19 years old when he was declared missing in action in December 1950. Colby’s death was confirmed earlier this year by the Defense P-O-W/M-I-A Accounting Agency, following the return of boxes of remains from the North Korean government to the United States. Colby will be laid to rest Tuesday at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
>>DNR Delays Decision on Northeast Minnesota Copper Nickel Mine
(Babbitt, MN) — The Department of Natural Resources is postponing a decision on a permit for a proposed copper and nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota. Regulatory and legal challenges have delayed the billion-dollar project on Minnesota’s Iron Range since the initial permits were issued in 2018. PolyMet, now known as NewRange Copper Nickel, is contemplating changes that could improve its chances, but this would require altering or withdrawing its current permit application. The D-N-R has paused any further consideration of the project until August of next year.
>>Appeals Court Asks for More Information About Cannabis License Lottery
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Court of Appeals is asking state regulators for more information about how they determined eligibility for the state’s first cannabis license lottery. Several social equity applicants hoping to get one of the preapproval licenses sued after the Office of Cannabis Management denied their applications. A district court judge blocked the O-C-M from holding the lottery Tuesday but pushed the case to the Court of Appeals for further consideration. A timeline for hearings on the lawsuits has yet to be announced.
>>10 % Increase in Motorcycle Fatalities in Minnesota This Season
(St. Paul, MN) — The motorcycle season is likely over in Minnesota with high temperatures below freezing. State motorcycle safety coordinator Jay Bock says it was a long riding season, but we had too many fatal crashes. He says we’re at 74 motorcycle deaths through November which is about a ten-percent increase from the 67 at this time last year. Bock says they are concerned about the number fatalities and continue to urge motorcyclists to avoid distractions and ride safely.
>>Woman Dies in Otter Tail County Crash
(Otter Tail County, MN) — A woman from Sebeka is dead after a two-vehicle crash in Otter Tail County on Wednesday morning. The Minnesota State Patrol says an eastbound pickup collided with a car heading north on Highway 10 in Pine Lake Township. Troopers say the car’s driver, 55-year-old Ann Shanin, died at the scene. No other injuries were reported and alcohol was not involved.
>>Man Suffers Life-Threatening Injuries in Breckenridge Shooting
(Breckenridge, MN) — A man is hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after a shooting early Thursday in Breckenridge along Minnesota’s western border. Officers say a man who doesn’t live at the home was suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to a local emergency room before being flown to another hospital. Investigators say the victim is expected to survive. No word on any suspects in the shooting.
>>21-Year-Old Shot Dead in Minneapolis on Thanksgiving
(Minneapolis, MN) — Police are investigating a shooting inside an apartment in north Minneapolis that left a man dead on Thanksgiving. Officers say the victim was found with life-threatening injuries around 6 pm Thursday and later died at Hennepin Healthcare. Investigators say the suspect fled before police arrived. No arrests have been made.
>>Free State Park Day in Minnesota on Black Friday
(Undated) — Minnesotans can visit state parks and recreation areas for free today (Fri) on Black Friday. “Free Park Day” is one of four days a year where the D-N-R waives the requirement for a vehicle permit and entrance fees. Officials are encouraging people to explore the outdoors with friends and family. A list of parks can be found on the Minnesota D-N-R’s website.
>> Wild Host Native American Heritage Day for Blackhawks Game
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Wild will be hosting Native American Heritage Day today (Fri 1pm) at the Xcel Energy Center for the game against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Wild are teaming up with the Prairie Island Indian Community and Treasure Island Resort and Casino. There will be an auction featuring Native American Heritage themed jerseys, hats and mini helmets autographed by the players. All fans attending will receive a special mini-stick, and there’s a winter coat drive that will benefit the American Indian Family Center.
>>Gophers and Badgers Battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe in Madison
(Madison, WI) — The University of Minnesota football team plays at Wisconsin today (Fri 11am) in the annual battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe. This is the 134th meeting between the Gophers and Badgers which is the longest continuously running rivalry in major college football. Wisconsin won the Axe with a 28-14 victory at Huntington Bank Stadium last November. The 5-and-6 Badgers have lost four straight games. Minnesota fell to 6-5 with a 26-25 loss to number-four Penn State last Saturday in Minneapolis.
>> Gophers Men’s Basketball Plays Wake Forest in Orlando Tournament
(Orlando, FL) — The Gopher men’s basketball team will finish up their two-game trip today (Fri) in Orlando. Minnesota plays Wake Forest in the third-place game of the E-S-P-N Events Invitational. The Golden Gophers lost to Wichita State 68-66 in overtime on Thanksgiving Day. A three-point attempt by Brennan Rigsby bounced in and out of the rim as time expired in O-T. The Maroon and Gold return home Sunday to face Bethune Cookman at Williams Arena.
