>>Congresswoman Craig Urges Military Get Paid During Shutdown
(Washington, DC) — U-S Representative Angie Craig is calling on House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring Republicans back soon and pass a bill to ensure military servicemembers are paid during the government shutdown. If Congress does not pass this legislation by next Wednesday, nearly three million military families will miss their next paycheck. Craig co-sponsors the “Pay Our Troops Act” and the “Pay Our Military Act” to ensure that servicemembers and civilian employees are paid during the shutdown.
>>CDC Pulling COVID Vaccine Recommendation Causes Confusion
(Minneapolis, MN) — Infectious disease experts say the C-D-C no longer recommending the COVID-19 vaccine for anyone is causing some confusion. The University of Minnesota’s Doctor Michael Osterholm says this change could make the vaccine harder to get. Osterholm said, “So, anytime you put a barrier between you and the vaccine – in this case you can’t get it until a health care provider provides the information that you can – is a challenge.” He says it is unclear which health care providers can recommend the COVID shot. Osterholm says the COVID vaccine has saved millions of lives.
>>Wildfire Prompts Closure of Superior Hiking Trail in North Shore State Park
(Finland, MN) — A portion of the Superior Hiking Trail within George H. Crosby Manitou State Park is temporarily closing today (Fri 8am) due to the Crosby wildfire. Winds are expected to shift from the south to northwest, creating a potential to push the flames toward the trail. The Minnesota Interagency Fire Center says the fire along the North Shore has been mapped at 160 acres but is now 25 percent contained. Officials say crews have made progress containing it with better access to the fire perimeter.
>>Two Students Injured in Aitkin County School Bus Crash
(Aitkin, MN) — Two students are recovering from injuries suffered in a school bus crash Thursday afternoon near Aitkin. The Minnesota State Patrol says the bus was traveling west on Highway 47 when the driver lost control and it rolled into the ditch. Two students onboard were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The 70-year-old school bus driver wasn’t hurt in the crash.
>>Rochester Police Department Welcomes 11 New Officers
(Rochester, MN) — The Rochester Police Department is welcoming 11 new officers. Eight recruits took the oath of office during a special swearing-in ceremony Thursday, and three experienced lateral officers were formally introduced. New Rochester Officer Preston Satzke was pinned by his father, retired Olmsted County Sheriff’s Captain David Satzke. Officials say this is the first recruit class that had more women than men take the oath.
>>Minnesota Department of Health Launching Drinking Water Action Plan
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Department of Health is launching the state’s first-ever Drinking Water Action Plan to address issues facing our drinking water. Water Policy Center manager Tannie Eshenaur says part of the plan is increasing education and outreach for private well users. It also includes strategies to address aging drinking water infrastructure across the state and ways to protect the multiple different sources of drinking water in Minnesota. M-D-H says it plans to provide updates on the plan every two years. The full action plan can be found on the M-D-H website.
>>Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener in Ortonville This Weekend
(Ortonville, MN) — Hunters from across Minnesota are flocking to Ortonville this weekend for the 2025 Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener. The annual event kicks off the season with two days of festivities, food, and over 25,000 acres of prime public land. Governor Tim Walz says, “It’s a great time to get out in nature and enjoy what we have, so it’s an exciting day for me when we get to the pheasant opener.” The pheasant season runs from October 11th to January 4th in Minnesota.
>>Government Shutdown Halts Refuge Programming, But Not the Cranes
(Zimmerman, MN) — While the government shutdown has paused all programming and events at the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, nature continues its course. According to Friends of the Sherburne N-W-R, migrating sandhill cranes are still making their annual stop at the refuge to rest and refuel. From mid-October through early November, thousands of Minnesota’s tallest birds gather at the refuge, roosting overnight and foraging in nearby farm fields during the day. In peak years, bird counts have topped 29,000. The best times to view the cranes are at dawn and dusk.
>>Gustavsson, Wild Shut Out Blues in Season Opener in St. Louis
(St. Louis, MO) — The Minnesota Wild spoiled the season opener for the Blues with a 5-0 win last night in St. Louis. Ryan Hartman had a pair of goals and Matt Boldy, Marco Rossi, and Joel Eriksson Ek also scored for Minnesota. Goaltender Filip Gustavsson made 27 saves for the shut-out victory. The Wild’s home opener is tomorrow night (Sat) against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
