>>US Supreme Court Order Puts Full SNAP Benefits on Hold
(St. Paul, MN) — A Friday night emergency order by the U-S Supreme Court puts a lower court order on hold that required the Trump administration pay full SNAP benefits for November. The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families said earlier in the evening that full SNAP and Minnesota Family Investment Program food benefits would begin rolling out this weekend. The state’s announcement followed a federal court order and updated U-S-D-A guidance amid the ongoing government shutdown. Commissioner Tikki Brown says early payments will help protect Minnesotans from food insecurity. More than 440,000 residents rely on these benefits each month, including children and seniors.
>>Congresswoman Craig Introduces Bill to Block Use of AI in Medicare Coverage
(Washington, DC) — A bill introduced by U-S Representative Angie Craig would protect senior citizens from being denied Medicare coverage based on artificial intelligence-generated coverage decisions. The Seniors Deserve Smarter Care Act would prohibit private companies from using A-I to automate prior authorizations. Craig’s office says in many cases, these private companies get rewarded based on the volume or costs of the care they deny. The 2nd District Democrat says this would prevent these private companies from benefitting off sick seniors.
>>MNA Nurses Condemn Closure of Faribault Birth Center
(Faribault, MN) — Union nurses are condemning Allina Health’s decision to close the Faribault Birth Center in Rice County on December 1st. The Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) warns the move will hurt families across southern Minnesota by limiting access to maternity care. Nurses say Allina failed to follow state law requiring public notice and hearings before closing a hospital unit. The closure follows similar cuts in rural O-B-G-Y-N services statewide in the last two years. Allina plans to open a new birth center in Owatonna, but nurses say both communities deserve care.
>>400k Hunters Expected for Minnesota’s Firearms Deer Season Opener
(Undated) — Around 400-thousand Minnesota hunters are taking part in today’s (Sat) firearms deer season opener. D-N-R officials are expecting a good season following two mild winters. Deer populations are strong in most of Minnesota but remain low in the northeast corner of the state. Conservation officers are reminding hunters to keep safety top of mind.
>>Duluth Father Found Guilty of Malicious Punishment of Son
(Duluth, MN) — A Duluth man faces prison time after being convicted of malicious punishment of a child and third-degree assault causing bodily harm to a child. Thirty-year-old Lashe Hamler was found guilty by a St. Louis County jury on Friday. Police were notified last December by school officials that Hamler’s son arrived at class with a bloody nose, cut lip, and injured shoulder. The boy told investigators that Hamler pushed him into a wall, onto the floor, and threw him outside. His sentencing hearing hasn’t been scheduled.
>>Man Found Dead of Gunshot Wounds in Columbia Heights
(Columbia Heights, MN) — Anoka County authorities are investigating a deadly shooting in Columbia Heights. Officers found a man dead of gunshot wounds Friday morning inside a vehicle. No arrests have been made. Investigators are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact Anoka County dispatch. The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office is working to identify the victim.
>>Duluth Taco John’s Robbed at Gunpoint Friday Night
(Duluth, MN) — Police in Duluth are investigating an armed robbery Friday night at a Taco John’s restaurant. Officers say a white man about six-feet tall wearing dark clothing displayed a handgun and demanded money. The suspect fled the scene with an undetermined amount of cash. No injuries were reported. Anyone with tips about the robbery is asked to call 9-1-1 or the Duluth Police Violent Crimes Unit.
>>Hennepin County Library Releases Limited-Edition Prince Library Card
(Minnetonka, MN) — The Hennepin County Library system is honoring Minnesota music icon Prince with a limited-edition library card. Officials say the Prince library card is available at all 41 Hennepin County locations while supplies last. It features a picture of Prince playing guitar from Purple Rain. The Prince library card is available to new and existing cardholders. The musical stage adaption of Purple Rain is playing through November 23rd at the State Theatre.
