>>Thursday is Busiest Day for MEA Week Travel at MSP Airport
(Minneapolis, MN) — This is expected to be the busiest day (Thurs) of M-E-A week at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. M-S-P’s Jeff Lea says they could see up to 52 thousand travelers go through the checkpoints. He says folks are trying to maximize their time away, so the period from 5 to 10 am is going to busy but there may be peaks and valleys. Lee says Sunday will be the third busiest day of M-E-A weekend with an estimated 48 thousand travelers at M-S-P. He recommends arriving at least two hours before your flight.
>>Teachers Gather in St. Paul for 2025 Minnesota Educator Academy
(St. Paul, MN) — More than a thousand educators from across Minnesota will convene in St. Paul today (Thurs) for the 2025 Minnesota Educator Academy, or M-E-A. The annual event hosted by Education Minnesota offers professional development tailored to the evolving needs of teachers statewide. President Monica Byron says they will offer sessions for teachers around state re-license requirements to topics featuring artificial intelligence. There are also workshops on reading instruction, identifying early-onset mental illness, suicide prevention, positive behavioral interventions, cultural competency, and strategies for teaching English language learners.
>>Federal Government Shutdown Delays Heating Assistance Funds
(St. Paul, MN) — The federal government shutdown is holding up critical funding for heating assistance, leaving thousands of Minnesotans in limbo as temperatures begin to drop. The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is currently accepting applications, but without federal dollars, it can’t distribute benefits. The Minnesota Department of Commerce says even if the shutdown ends soon, the funding may not arrive until November or later. The state’s Energy Assistance program helps around 125,000 households each year, primarily in greater Minnesota and among residents over age 60.
>>Minnesota Counties Stop Accepting SNAP Applications
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota is halting new food assistance applications, another direct hit from the federal government shutdown. As of 10 pm Wednesday, counties across the state stopped approving new applications for SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families warns that federal funding is running out and without congressional action, November benefits may not be paid. SNAP currently supports more than 450,000 Minnesotans, including children and working families.
>>Minnesota Sees Deadliest West Nile Virus Season in Decades
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota is grappling with one of its most severe West Nile virus seasons in decades, with more than 100 confirmed cases and ten deaths. The Department of Health’s Elizabeth Schiffman says most of the infections are in the western and central parts of the state. She says agricultural land and traditionally prairies are the habitat that the mosquitoes that transmit West Nile really love. An unusually hot and rainy summer followed by a warm September created ideal breeding conditions for those mosquitoes.
>>Crosby Fire in Northeastern Minnesota is 95% Contained
(Finland, MN) — The Crosby Fire along Minnesota’s North Shore is now 95 percent contained and holding at 300 acres. Minnesota D-N-R crews continue mopping up hot spots along the containment line. A section of the Superior Hiking Trail within George H. Crosby Manitou State Park is re-opening this morning. Officials remind hikers to stay on the trail, as weakened trees and lingering smoke may still pose safety risks. Firefighting aircraft remain on standby, and drones are prohibited near the fire zone.
>>Man Pleads Guilty to Homeless Shelter Arson in St. Cloud
(Foley, MN) — A man is pleading guilty to starting a fire inside a St. Cloud homeless shelter. Court documents say 24-year-old Devon Fullerton admitted to second-degree arson after setting fire to clothing and a wall in his room at the Lincoln Center on April 11th. Several witnesses say Fullerton entered the room with a sledgehammer, and minutes later, black smoke was seen coming from the area. He’ll be sentenced in January.
>>Rochester Man Charged with Intentionally Hitting Another Person with Car
(Rochester, MN) — A man is facing charges after allegedly hitting another person with his S-U-V in downtown Rochester. Police say 45-year-old Adam Bussman reversed into the victim during a dispute over money Sunday night. The victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries. A witness told officers the S-U-V accelerated in reverse at about 30 miles per hour. Bussman was arrested and charged with second-degree assault, criminal vehicular operation, and felony D-W-I, after failing field sobriety testing. His bail is set at 200,000 dollars.
>>World Premiere of Purple Rain the Musical Tonight at State Theatre
(Minneapolis, MN) — The highly anticipated world premiere of the musical stage adaption of Purple Rain is tonight (Thurs) in downtown Minneapolis. Todd Duesing with Hennepin Arts says they’re ready for a run of 39 performances. He said, “there’s a lot of great energy around the State Theatre and on Hennepin Avenue. And the excitement is definitely building.” Duesing says Prince fans from around the world are coming to see this show in his hometown. There are some tickets still available at hennepinarts.org.
>>Minnesota Timberwolves Play Preseason Game at Chicago Bulls
(Chicago, IL) — The Minnesota Timberwolves play the Chicago Bulls in preseason action tonight (Thurs) at the United Center. The Wolves beat a Chinese Basketball Association team by 60 points on Tuesday at Target Center. Their last N-B-A preseason matchup was a 100-95 overtime loss at the New York Knicks last Thursday. Minnesota wraps up preseason play Friday night in Philadelphia. The regular season opener is next Wednesday at Portland.
