>>Minnesota Farmers Feel the Impact of Rising Diesel Prices
(St. Paul, MN) — Diesel prices in Minnesota remain above $6 a gallon, nearly $3 higher than a year ago. Some lawmakers want Governor Tim Walz to allow farmers to use tax-exempt red dye diesel on public roads. But Minnesota Farm Bureau President Dan Glessing says that could create complications when the temporary exemption ends. He says the best solution is for market conditions to bring prices down naturally. Glessing says the spike comes as farmers face heavy fuel demands during harvest and livestock operations, threatening profit margins just as some farmers were starting to see better prices.
>>Minnesota Chamber Report Examines Business Investment Outlook
(St. Paul, MN) — A new Minnesota Chamber of Commerce report finds Minnesota continues to attract investment in industries like medical technology, pharmaceuticals and high-tech manufacturing. But spokesman Sean O’Neill says the state faces challenges competing with other states, including higher taxes, regulatory hurdles and permitting delays. Workforce shortages are another concern, making it difficult for some companies to expand. O’Neill says Minnesota can build on its strengths in emerging industries, including clean technology, aerospace and semiconductor manufacturing, but needs to improve its competitiveness to attract future business investment.
>>Native Leaders Fear Fire Destroyed Minnesota’s Largest Dakota Language Archive
(Minneapolis, MN) — Native American leaders fear a fire may have destroyed Minnesota’s largest Dakota language archive. Sunday’s three-alarm fire destroyed Franklin Dollar City Plaza on East Franklin Avenue and damaged the connected building housing Minnesota Chippewa Tribe offices and Native American programs. The archive includes recordings of elders sharing personal stories, stored on aging tapes and other media that had not yet been digitized. Officials say the extent of the damage remains unclear. Nearly 60 firefighters responded to the blaze, and two were hospitalized with minor burns. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
>>Flanagan Holds Narrow Lead in Minnesota Senate Race
(Undated) — Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan holds a four-point lead over Republican Michele Tafoya in the race for U.S. Senate, according to a new Star Tribune-KARE 11 poll.
The survey found 47% support Flanagan, compared with 43% for Tafoya. Nine percent of likely voters remain undecided. The poll surveyed 800 likely voters from October 5th through the 7th and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.
>>Virginia Steam Heat Conversion Project Gets $1.8 Million
(Virginia, MN) — Downtown Virginia’s steam heat conversion project is receiving a $1.8 million boost from Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation. The grant is intended to help commercial property owners transition away from the city’s steam heating system, which is scheduled to shut down November 2nd. About 21 commercial properties still need to complete conversions and may qualify for assistance. Property owners must install replacement heating systems or properly winterize buildings to prevent frozen pipes and other damage. The conversion deadline is October 31st.
>>Mayo Researchers Test AI Tool to Predict Pancreatic Cancer Risk
(Rochester, MN) — Mayo Clinic researchers are testing an artificial intelligence tool designed to identify people at risk of pancreatic cancer years before diagnosis. The model analyzes medical histories from nearly 40,000 patients, including those with and without the disease. Researchers hope it can help identify high-risk individuals before the cancer reaches an advanced stage. Mayo is also studying how the model could be used in clinical practice, but further validation is needed before it can become a routine screening tool.
