>>Same Day Regisration at the Polls in Minnesota on Election Day
(St. Paul, MN) — The polls are open 7am to 8pm this Election Day (Tues) in Minnesota and if you’re not registered to vote, you can do it today at your polling place. Secretary of State Steve Simon says if you’re voting for the first time or have moved or had a name change, in Minnesota you have to show two things: You are who you say you are, and you live where you say you live. He says in Minnesota, we have a long and flexible list of documents that you can use to show either or both of those things. For a complete list and to find your polling place, visit mnvotes.gov.
>>All Minnesota House Seats on Ballot, 1 Special Senate Election
(St. Paul, MN) – Republicans are trying to take away Democrats’ “trifecta” at the State Capitol, either by winning a majority in the Minnesota House, the state Senate, or both. Democrats have just a one-vote majority in the Senate, but D-F-Ler Kelly Morrison is running for U-S House, and if Republicans win her seat in today’s special election, they’ll take control of the state Senate. Their candidate is realtor and businessperson Kathleen Fowke. Democrats’ candidate is former state Senator Ann Johnson Stewart. Meanwhile, every seat is up for election in the Minnesota House and Hamline University’s David Schultz says 10 to 15 districts are in play — but whether Democrats keep their majority, or Republicans take control is too close call.
>>Amendment Asks Voters to Extend Lottery Funds to Outdoors & Environment
(St. Paul, MN) — A constitutional amendment on the election ballot asks voters whether 40 percent of state lottery proceeds should continue going to the environment and outdoors. Minnesota Lottery Director Adam Prock they don’t have a position on how the money gets spent, their job is to raise the dollars. He says,” those funds help make sure we have clean air and clean water, keeping invasive species out, and doing all the things that Minnesotans are really proud of.” Prock says the lottery has contributed more than a billion dollars to the Environment and Natural Resource Trust Fund since 1991. Leaving the ballot question blank is considered a “no” vote.
>>School Board Races, Referendums and Levies on Minnesota Election Ballots
(St. Peter, MN) — The presidential race gets all the attention but there are school board races in more than 300 Minnesota districts in today’s (Tues) election. Greg Abbott of the Minnesota School Boards Association says just over 14 hundred candidates are running for 991 open school board seats across the state. He says we also have 45 school districts going out for either an operating levy, building bonds, or capital project levy. The Northfield District is seeking 130 million dollars for a high school addition and renovations, gymnasium, and heating. Blue Earth Area is asking for 66 million dollars for a new pre-K through-six elementary, and Fergus Falls is looking for 48 million for a new grades three-through-five elementary.
>>Man and 5 Kids Injured in Storage Unit Explosion near Bagley
(Bagley, MN) — Authorities in northwest Minnesota are investigating an explosion Monday near Bagley that injured a man and five children. The Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office says it appears that a propane tank was leaking in a storage unit and when the doors were opened a man lit a cigarette, causing an explosion. Deputies say the man and five kids ranging in age from six to 14-years old were suffering from burns. Bystanders helped the victims until first responders arrived. They were all taken to area hospitals for treatment, but their current conditions are unknown.
>>Rochester Man Found Guilty in 2022 Christmas Murder of Ex-Girlfriend
(Rochester, MN) — A Rochester man will be sentenced in December for the Christmas Day 2022 shooting death of his girlfriend. An Olmsted County jury found 41-year-old Mustafa Bush guilty of first-degree murder while committing domestic abuse and second-degree murder for the killing of 41-year-old Kim Robinson of Eyota. Bush was acquitted on a premeditated first-degree murder charge. He’s expected to face a life prison sentence on December 20th.
>>Man Charged in Triple Homicide at Minneapolis Homeless Encampment
(Minneapolis, MN) — A 40-year-old man who was shot and critically injured by St. Paul police is now charged in a triple homicide at a Minneapolis homeless encampment. Earl Bennett faces three counts of second-degree murder for the October 27th shooting. The only surviving victim, 35-year-old Samantha Joe of St. Louis Park, died from her injuries Saturday. Thirty-two-year-old Louis Lemons Jr. of Brooklyn Center and 38-year-old Christopher Washington of Fridley both died at the scene. Bennett was shot on October 28th for shooting another person, in which he faces an attempted first-degree murder charge. He is in the hospital in stable condition.
>>St. Paul Man Charged with Murder for Stabbing Neighbor in Face
(St. Paul, MN) — A St. Paul man is charged with second-degree murder for allegedly stabbing his neighbor in the face on Sunday night. Police located 70-year-old Lester Haynes unconscious and barely breathing in an apartment in the Summit-University neighborhood, and he died in the hospital. Prosecutors say witnesses told officers they were watching T-V with Haynes when 64-year-old Robert Ramsey came over and the two began to fight. Surveillance video showed the fight turning physical and Ramsey stabbing Haynes with a filet knife. Ramsey makes his first court appearance today (Tues).
>>Man Seriously Hurt in St. Louis County Rollover Crash
(Portage, MN) — A Crane Lake man is seriously injured after his vehicle rolled over Sunday in St. Louis County. Deputies called to the crash in Portage Township found 55-year-old Matthew Tomasko trapped inside his vehicle. Tomasko was extricated and airlifted to a hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Investigators are still looking into the crash.
>>SMSU Track and Field Athlete Hunter Smith Passes Away
(Marshall, MN) — Southwest Minnesota State University is grieving the loss of Hunter Smith, a Mustang track and field team member who died over the weekend. The 22-year-old senior was majoring in political science and was set to receive his Master of Business Administration in the spring, with plans to pursue law school in the fall. Smith also served as the president of the university’s chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and worked as a graduate assistant in the student center. A vigil will be held tonight on campus ( Tues 8pm) . Through Friday, emotional and mental support counselors are available for S-M-S-U students and staff.
>>Minnesota Timberwolves Rout Charlotte Hornets at Target Center
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Timberwolves rolled over the Charlotte Hornets 114-93 Monday night at Target Center to improve to 4-and-3. The Wolves built a 30-point lead in the second half. Naz Reid led Minnesota with 25 points off the bench and Anthony Edwards scored 21. Charlotte falls to 2-and-5. The Timberwolves play the Bulls Thursday night in Chicago. There are no N-B-A games today (Tues) on Election Day as the league encourages everyone to get out and vote.
