>>Senator Leaders Reelected by DFL Senate Caucus
(St. Paul, MN) – Now that the Democrats have regained their trifecta of power at the Minnesota Capitol, a couple of familiar faces will be leading the DFL Senate Caucus. Senator Erin Murphy (DFL-St. Paul) was reelected as Senate Majority Leader by her caucus members Thursday. Murphy was first elected to the Minnesota House in 2006. She is currently in her third term in the Senate. Senator Bobby Joe Champion was named Senate President, a position he’s held since 2023. The Senate will have at least 39 Democrats in the upcoming session with two other races still to be decided by automatic recounts.
>>Finstad Plans Recount in Close Southern Minnesota Congressional Race
(St. Paul, MN) — Republican Congressman Brad Finstad is planning to request a recount in his race against Democrat Jake Johnson for Minnesota’s First Congressional District. Unofficial results show Johnson leading the incumbent by 323 votes. The race qualifies for a publicly funded recount under Minnesota law, which allows one when the margin is less than one-quarter of one percent. However, recounts are not automatic. The State Canvassing Board is scheduled to certify the results November 19th. Finstad would then have until the second business day after certification to formally request the recount.
>>Minnesota School Funding Questions See Low Support
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota voters rejected most local school funding questions on Election Day. The Minnesota School Boards Association says just 28 of 83 questions passed, a 33-percent approval rate and one of the lowest in recent years. Executive Director Kirk Schneidawind says rising household expenses may have influenced voters. He says even a 10 or 15-dollar monthly property tax increase can make a difference for families already facing higher costs. The results could force school districts to make difficult decisions about staffing and budgets.
>>Measles Cases Surge In Minnesota and Wisconsin
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota is reporting its highest annual measles case count since 1990, with 139 confirmed infections so far this year. The Minnesota Department of Health says Todd County accounts for 115 of those cases, making it the center of the state’s outbreak. Scott County has also reported two cases, including one linked to international travel. Health officials say the recent infections have involved unvaccinated people. Meanwhile, Wisconsin is reporting its first measles-related death since 1990. An infant died during an outbreak in the southwestern part of the state. Wisconsin has recorded 431 cases across 13 counties this year, with nine people hospitalized.
>>Minnesota Supreme Court Limits Hospital Room Number Disclosures
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Supreme Court is ruling that hospitals cannot share a patient’s room number or admission status without consent, except in certain legally permitted circumstances. The decision involves a case under the Minnesota Health Records Act, which protects private medical information. The court says hospital admission information is considered protected health data, even when someone is only trying to locate a patient. The ruling reinforces privacy protections for patients and limits what hospitals can disclose to visitors and others without permission.
>>Pedestrian Killed in Highway 169 Crash Near Mankato
(Mankato, MN) — A Mankato woman is dead after being struck by a vehicle early Thursday morning in Blue Earth County. The Minnesota State Patrol says 46-year-old Teresa Ann Haefner was crossing Highway 169 in South Bend Township around 6 a.m. when she was hit by a southbound vehicle. Haefner died at the scene. The driver, a 25-year-old Mankato man, was not injured. The State Patrol says there is no indication the driver was under the influence. The crash remains under investigation.
>>Hermantown Data Center Project Faces New Legal Challenge
(Hermantown, MN) — A new legal challenge is raising questions about the proposed Google data center in Hermantown. Two environmental groups have filed a lawsuit against the city, arguing its latest environmental review does not adequately address potential damage to local water resources, air quality and nearby trout streams. The lawsuit marks the second legal challenge involving the city’s review of the project. It comes after Hermantown officials approved several major project agreements and permits. Additional approvals are still needed, including a wetlands permit and state authorization related to Google’s electric service agreement.
>>Corps Increasing Releases from Lac qui Parle Dam
(Watson, MN) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is increasing water releases from Lac qui (Lac-kwih-parl) Parle Dam near Watson following recent rainfall. The higher releases will raise water levels and strengthen currents along the Minnesota River downstream, although water is expected to remain within the river channel. Officials are urging people using the river and those in low-lying areas to use caution. Additional adjustments may be made depending on future rainfall.
