>>Governor Walz Visits Soybean Farm in Southern Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz is spending part of his day (Wed) visiting a soybean farm in southern Minnesota. The governor’s office says he will discuss the devastating impact the Trump Administration’s tariffs are having on Minnesota’s top agricultural export. Soybeans represent approximately $2 billion in annual sales. Roughly one quarter of the state’s soybeans were sent to China, but that country stopped orders in May. Walz will be joined by several agricultural leaders.
>>Secretary of State Simon Appears Before House Fraud Prevention Committee
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota House Fraud Prevention Committee is looking into election integrity and Secretary of State Steve Simon was part of a hearing Tuesday. In June, two people were prosecuted for crimes involving fake voter registrations and Simon says no system is 100 percent foolproof. He said, “over the last 50 years in Minnesota we’ve gotten to a really reliable and effective blend of access and security.” Committee chair and Republican candidate for governor Kristin Robbins said, “I think the public is completely unaware that there were 500 fake registrations in Minnesota that were successfully prosecuted in federal court. ” Simon told the committee no fraudulent ballots were cast or counted because the state’s election safeguards caught the scheme.
>>MSP Won’t Play Noem Video Blaming Dems for Shutdown
(Minneapolis, MN) — Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport will not air a federal video blaming Democrats for the government shutdown. The video features Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem saying, “Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government… most of our T-S-A employees are working without pay.” The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) says it’s reviewing the request to show the video. M-S-P joins several airports nationwide in declining to play it. T-S-A workers remain on the job, and 50 thousand travelers are expected today (Wed)as M-E-A travel ramps up at the airport.
>>Organizers Planning Peaceful No Kings Protests in Minnesota
(Minneapolis, MN) — Minnesota Congressman Tom Emmer is among Republicans referring to Saturday’s No Kings protests as “hate-America” rallies. Jennifer O’Brien of Indivisible Twin Cities says the state’s largest rally near U-S Bank Stadium in Minneapolis will be peaceful. She says, “We don’t know why they think that standing up for our First Amendment rights and standing up for our communities, and for health care and for education would ever be considered anything but pro-democracy.” O’Brien says there’s a program at 1 p-m with speakers including Attorney General Keith Ellison followed by a march around downtown Minneapolis. At least 15 No Kings rallies are planned across Minnesota.
>>Man Injured in Hibbing Home Explosion Remains in Critical Condition
(Hibbing, MN) — The man injured in a home explosion Sunday night in Hibbing remains hospitalized in critical condition. The Go Fund Me page for Dave Peterson says he’s fighting for his life at Hennepin County Medical Center. Peterson, his wife Missy, their son Dawson and grandson Jax lost their home of more than 20 years and everything they own. Around 23 thousand dollars has been raised for the Petersons so far on Go Fund Me. Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the explosion and fire.
>>Motorcyclist Dies in Elk River Crash
(Elk River, MN) — The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating a fatal motorcycle crash in Elk River. Troopers say a 25-year-old Blaine man was riding south on Highway 169 Tuesday morning when a pickup crossing the highway struck his bike. The rider died at the scene. The pickup was driven by 22-year-old David Marsh of Farmington. Authorities have yet to release the victim’s name.
>>Amazon Plans to Hire 1500 Workers for Holiday Season in Minnesota
(Shakopee, MN) — Amazon plans to hire a quarter million workers this holiday season and more than 15 hundred in Minnesota. A local spokesman says the seasonal positions pay an average wage of over 19 dollars an hour. Positions are listed in Shakopee, Eagan, Lakeville, Duluth, and La Crosse, Wisconsin. A new economic impact report finds Amazon has invested eight billion dollars in Minnesota since 2010.
>>Minnesota Wild Lose to Stars in Dallas
(Dallas, TX) — The Minnesota Wild fall to 2-and-2 with a 5-2 loss to the 3-and-0 Stars Tuesday night in Dallas. The Wild trailed 3-0 in third period before Matt Boldy and Kirill Kaprizov scored on the power play, but the Stars added two empty-net goals. Goaltender Filip Gustavsson made 20 saves in the loss. The Wild play the Capitals Friday in Washington, D-C and the Flyers Saturday in Philadelphia.
