>>Obama Campaigning with Walz on First Day of Early Voting in Wisconsin
(Madison, WI) — Former President Barack Obama is campaigning with Governor Tim Walz today (Tues) on the first day of early voting in neighboring Wisconsin. Obama and the Democratic vice presidential candidate are speaking at a rally this afternoon (Tues 2 pm) in Madison and will encourage people to vote early. Walz is also scheduled to appear at a campaign event this evening in the Milwaukee suburb of Racine. The Democratic and Republican presidential tickets have been spending a lot of time in Wisconsin. Vice President Kamala Harris was in Brookfield Monday night with former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney.
>>Fake Video Accusing Tim Walz Raises Misinformation Concerns
(St. Paul, MN) — A fake video alleging sexual assault against Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is being shared on social media. This has raised concerns two weeks before the presidential election. The video shows a man claiming to be a former student who accuses Walz of assaulting him. However, the real individual, Matthew Metro, has stated that the allegations are false. Experts warn that this misinformation could impact how voters see the candidates, especially in close elections. The post has been labeled as “manipulated media” by X, but different versions of it are still gaining traction online.
>>11 Protesters Arrested for Occupying Building on U of M East Bank Campus
(Minneapolis, MN) — University of Minnesota Police say 11 pro-Palestine protesters were arrested for occupying Morrill Hall Monday on the East Bank campus. Officers said the protesters entered the building around 4 pm and began spray painting, breaking windows, and barricading entrances. Organizers with Students for a Democratic Society said they were occupying the building to demand the U of M divest from Israel and weapons manufacturers. Authorities went into the building at 5:45 and made 11 arrests.
>>Hennepin County Officials say No Tampering of Unattended Absentee Ballots
(Edina, MN) — Election officials are assuring the public that absentee ballots weren’t tampered with after a mail courier left the ballots unattended and unsecured in a car Friday in Edina. Hennepin Director of Elections Ginny Gelms says it’s part of their job to make sure people can trust the system. She says, “We know that every single ballot was accounted for. None of them were tampered with. We received every single ballot that we were supposed to, and we didn’t receive any ballots that we weren’t supposed to.” The courier for the third-party service has been fired for leaving several boxes of ballots unsecured outside of Edina City Hall.
>>Police Continue Investigating Fatal Shooting of 3-Year-Old in Northeast Minneapolis
(Minneapolis, MN) — Police are still trying to determine how a three-year-old boy was fatally shot Monday afternoon in northeast Minneapolis. Officers found the boy wounded in an apartment and first responders provided medical aid, but he died after being taken to the hospital. Investigators haven’t said whether the shooting might have been accidental. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said in a statement, “My thoughts are with the family of this little boy; they have experienced an unimaginable tragedy.” The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office will identify the victim and his cause and manner of death.
>>Fire Burning in Chengwatana State Forest 10% Contained
(Pine City, MN) — Firefighters are working to contain a wildfire in Minnesota’s Chengwatana State Forest. The Evergreen Fire was first reported last Thursday in an area just east of Pine City. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources issued a closure order for 45-hundred acres of the forest in Pine and Chisago counties as a precaution. Fire officials say just under 170 acres have burned so far and containment is around ten percent. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
>>Tickets on Sale Tuesday for Minnesota Millionaire Raffle
(Roseville, MN) — Tickets go on sale today (Tues) for the annual Minnesota Millionaire Raffle on New Year’s Day. Minnesota Lottery Director Adam Prock says, “We’ve got 800-thousand tickets and there are two million-dollar prizes, and also over 15-thousand other prizes.” He says it is by far your best chance to win a million dollars. Tickets sold out in 22 days last fall. Minnesota Millionaire Raffle tickets cost ten dollars.
>>Minnesota Timberwolves Open Regular Season at LA Lakers
(Los Angeles, CA) — The Minnesota Timberwolves open the 2024-2025 season tonight (Tues 9pm) against the Lakers in Los Angeles. The Wolves are coming off a run to the Western Conference Finals last year. The team looks a little different this season without veteran Karl-Anthony Towns. KAT was traded to the Knicks for forward Julius Randle and guard Donte DiVincenzo. LeBron James’ son, Bronny, is expected to make his Lakers debut tonight against the Wolves.