>>Gabby Giffords Coming to Minnesota for Gun Violence Prevention Town Hall
(Waconia, MN) — Former Arizona Congresswoman and gun violence prevention advocate Gabby Giffords is attending a town hall meeting Saturday in Waconia. Giffords will be joined by elected officials, gun safety organizations, doctors, educators, and survivors. She survived an assassination attempt and mass shooting in Arizona in 2011. Giffords resigned from the U-S House due to a severe brain injury. The town hall will include stories of action from community members keeping their communities safe, and legislation that is making a difference in saving lives.
>>GOP Senate Candidate Schwarze Calls on Dems to End Shutdown
(Savage, MN) — Republican U-S Senate candidate Adam Schwarze is calling on Democrats to pass a continuing resolution to re-open the federal government. Schwarze supports further negotiations about health insurance tax credits, but says, “we need to open the government. We can’t hold the American people hostage. ” He says Senate Majority Leader John Thune has also said,” hey, let’s open the government and then we can have some of these good faith discussions about the way forward.” The Affordable Care Act premium credits for millions of Americans expire at the end of the year under the Trump budget.
>>Board of Animal Health Confirms Bird Flu in Otter Tail County Turkey Operation
(Willmar, MN) — The Minnesota Board of Animal Health confirming that a commercial turkey operation in Otter Tail County is infected with bird flu. Doctor Shauna Voss at the Willmar Poultry Testing Lab says the operation was the latest to be hit since highly pathogenic avian influenza resurfaced with fall migration on September 16th. Voss says the flock of more than 29 thousand birds is the second one to be hit in the county.
>>State Approves Jail Population Increase in Hennepin County
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Department of Corrections is allowing Hennepin County to raise its jail population after a significant staffing boost. Last October, the department ordered the jail to reduce its inmate count to below 600, despite having capacity for more than 800. Now, for the first time since 2020, the jail is fully staffed—thanks to the addition of 99 new detention deputies. The facility is currently overstaffed by nearly 50 positions; a move made in anticipation of upcoming retirements.
>>Chaska Man Dies in Boating Accident on Lake of the Woods
(Baudette, MN) – Law enforcement in far northern Minnesota says a Chaska man is the victim of a deadly boating accident on Lake of the Woods. Sheriff’s deputies were called to the report of a capsized boat Saturday afternoon. They say the body of 69-year-old Brian Herridge was later recovered from the lake. Other boaters reported strong northerly winds and five- to seven-foot swells at the time. The incident is still under investigation.
>>Medical Examiner Rules Death of Rochester Golf Pro an Accident
(Rochester, MN) — Authorities in southeastern Minnesota say the death of the assistant golf pro at the Rochester Golf and Country Club was an accident. Police reported 38-year-old Nathan Westergaard was lying in the roadway August 3rd when he was hit and killed by a vehicle. The Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner’s Office determined Westergaard died from blunt force injuries from the crash. There was no evidence of criminal conduct, and the investigation has been closed.
>>$10K Reward Offered in Search for Missing Bemidji Teen
(Bemidji, MN) — The search continues for Nevaeh Kingbird four years since she was last seen in Bemidji. A reward of up to 10 thousand dollars is being offered through Minnesota’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) Office for tips that advance the case. Nevaeh disappeared on October 22nd, 2021, and investigators are urging hunters and outdoor enthusiasts to stay alert as deer season begins. She was last seen wearing a black hoodie or red sweatshirt with a bull logo, blue skinny jeans, and Nike sandals. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or CrimeStoppersMN.org.
>>Minneapolis Teachers, District Hold Final Talks Ahead of Strike Vote
(Minneapolis, MN) — After six months of negotiations, Minneapolis teachers and district officials met Tuesday for a final round of closed-door talks in hopes of averting a strike. The Minneapolis Federation of Educators is pushing for improvements in class sizes, teacher compensation, and special education caseloads. Tuesday’s meeting marked the seventh bargaining session since April. A strike authorization vote begins tomorrow(Thurs). If approved by union members, a walkout could begin as early as November.
>>DNR Highlighting Forest Industry During National Forest Products week
(Pine City, MN) — The Minnesota D-N-R is highlighting the state’s forest industry during National Forest Products week. Forestry Division consultant Jeremy Fauskee says the industry is a main economic driver in the state, including everything from timber mills and trucks to furniture and cabinets. He says the forest industry is the fifth largest manufacturer in the state and a key employer in greater Minnesota and the Twin Cities.
>>Timberwolves Tip Off Regular Season Tonight in Portland
(Portland, OR) — The Minnesota Timberwolves open the regular season tonight (Wed 9pm) at the Portland Trail Blazers. The Wolves are coming off back-to-back appearances in the N-B-A Western Conference Finals. Portland went 36-and-46 last season. All-star guard Anthony Edwards is listed as questionable for tonight’s game with back spasms. Minnesota plays the Lakers in L-A on Friday night, and the home opener is Sunday against the Indiana Pacers.
