>>Supreme Court Petition Alleges Hennepin County Improperly Appointed Election Judges
(St. Paul, MN) — A petition filed with the state Supreme Court alleges Hennepin County failed to consider election judge candidates submitted by the Republican Party. Andy Cilek of the Minnesota Voters Alliance says none of the five appointments to absentee ballot board was on the G-O-P’s list of 15 hundred names. Republican Party officials say they don’t know the political affiliations of those appointed to the absentee ballot board. The groups are hoping the Supreme Court will hold a hearing on the matter as soon as next Thursday.
>>PUC Orders Xcel Energy to Refund Customers for 2011 Sherco Shutdown
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission is ordering Xcel Energy to refund customers for the 2011 Sherco power plant shutdown. The catastrophic failure of a turbine at the Sherco generating facility resulted in the prolonged shutdown of a Sherco unit for almost two years. P-U-C says Xcel’s ratepayers will receive a refund based on total energy replacement costs, including interest, of roughly $58 million. The next step is 30 days after the Commission issues its order, Xcel will make a compliance filing detailing the final refund calculation, including interest.
>>Thousands of Teachers Attending MEA Conference in St. Paul
(St. Paul, MN) — Thousands of teachers from across the state are attending the annual Minnesota Educator Conference today (Thurs) in St. Paul. Education Minnesota President Denise Specht says this is a premier event for professional development for educators. She says there are classes that address everything from the teacher shortage, building networks for new educators, managing education debt and coping with stress on the job. Micia Mosely, the founder and director of The Black Teacher Project of Oakland, California is the keynote speaker.
>>Busiest Day of MEA Travel Week at Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport
(Minneapolis, MN) — This is expected to be the busiest day (Thurs) of M-E-A week at M-S-P Airport with an estimated 52 thousand passengers. Spokesman Jeff Lea (lee) says it is a popular time for air travel in Minnesota and families are taking vacation to maximize the four-day weekend. Lea says the airlines have added more seats and planes to meet the demand during M-E-A. Most students in the state are off today and tomorrow (Thurs & Fri).
>>Flanagan Visits SE MN To Promote Hunting, Agriculture
(Austin, MN) — Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan wants to get more women involved in hunting in Minnesota. Flanagan was in Austin Wednesday for the second annual Minnesota Women’s Pheasant Hunt. Flanagan called it a perfect day for hunting, saying that being out in nature and talking with other hunters is part of the reason she enjoys the sport. She also made a stop in Eyota to meet with corn farmers. Flanagan spoke about efforts to protect water quality, noting that landowners are committed to working with the state to preserve farming for future generations.
>>Dry Conditions Prompt Red Flag Warnings in MN
(St. Paul, MN) — Due to dry and windy conditions, much of southern and western Minnesota is under a Red Flag Warning today (Thurs). The National Weather Service says that the current conditions could rapidly cause any outdoor fire to spread across a large area. The warning covers dozens of cities, including areas around Rochester, Mankato, the Twin Cities, St. Cloud, Worthington, and Fergus Falls. Some parts of the state are under a fire weather watch today.
>>Opening Statements Thursday Morning in Fravel Murder Trial
(Mankato, MN) — Opening statements begin this morning (Thurs 9am) in the murder trial of Adam Fravel in Mankato. The final juror was seated Wednesday afternoon in Blue Earth County court. Fravel is charged in the spring 2023 disappearance and death of his ex-girlfriend and mother of his children, Madeline Kingsbury of Winona. The trial was moved out of Winona County due to pre-trial publicity. Nearly 200 witnesses have been identified by the prosecution and defense.
>>9 Students Injured in Redwood County School Bus Crash
(Seaforth, MN) — Authorities in southwest Minnesota say nine students suffered minor injuries in a school bus crash Wednesday morning in Redwood County. Sheriff’s deputies say a bus carrying students from Wabasso Public Schools failed to yield the right of way to a truck at an intersection. Nine passengers on the bus were taken to local hospitals for treatment. The crash is still under investigation.
>>Como Zoo Names Twin Amur Tiger Cubs
(St. Paul, MN) — The Como Zoo in St. Paul is out with the names of its twin Amur tiger cubs. The cubs, named Marisa and Maks, were born on August 29th. They are currently in a private maternity den with their mother as part of the Amur Tiger Species Survival Plan, which aims to protect this critically endangered species. Officials say Marisa’s name reflects her spirited and tenacious personality and honors a retired zookeeper, while Maks signifies strength and leadership, representing the male cub’s growing confidence.
>>Lynx Fall to Liberty on Late 3-Pointer in Game 3 of WNBA Finals
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Lynx are down two games-to-one in the W-N-B-A Finals following an 80-77 loss to New York in Game 3 last (Wed) night at Target Center. Sabrina Ionescu hit the go-ahead three-pointer for the Liberty with one second remaining. Minnesota had a 15-point lead earlier in the game. Napheesa Collier led the Lynx with 22 points, nine rebounds and five steals and Kayla McBride finished with 19. Minnesota needs a win on its home court in Game 4 Friday night to extend the best-of-five series.
