>>Walz and Vance Square Off in Civil Vice Presidential Debate in New York
(New York City, NY) — The vice presidential debate between Governor Tim Walz and J-D Vance in New York wasn’t more politics than policy as some analysts predicted. They clashed over issues including abortion, climate change, child care, inflation, immigration and the January 6th insurrection, but were civil and respectful of each other. Democrats are blasting Republican V-P candidate Vance for refusing to answer whether he accepts the results of former President Donald Trump’s loss in the 2020 election. Walz called himself a “knucklehead at times” for his misleading claim about being in Hong Kong during turbulence surrounding the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. Both candidates spent a lot of time criticizing the top of the other presidential ticket – Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Trump.
>>148th Fighter Wing Unveiling Memorial Wall to Honor Fallen Bulldogs
(Duluth, MN) — The Minnesota National Guard’s 148th Fighter Wing is unveiling a new Memorial Wall in Duluth today (Wed 1pm) to honor its 21 fallen members. Public affairs officer Audra Flanagan says the large, black granite monument views the flight line and is next to the American flag. The names of the 21 Bulldogs who have died in the line of duty have been etched on the wall. Flanagan says 14 of the 21 died between 1948 and 1960, and the last member was lost in 1997. There is a private dedication ceremony Saturday with the families of the fallen Bulldogs.
>>Port Workers Strike at 36 US Ports Not Affecting Duluth-Superior
(Duluth, MN) — The strike at 36 ports on the East and Gulf Coasts is reportedly halting the flow of half the nation’s ocean shipping, but not on the Great Lakes. Jayson Hron of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority says the Port of Duluth-Superior is open for business and equipped to handle anything sent our way. Hron says the International Longshoremen’s Association strike isn’t affecting local workers because they are in a different contract region. He says his office has been contacted by cargo shippers possibly looking into diverting containers to Lake Superior.
>>Nominations Open for 2025 Minnesota Teacher of the Year
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesotans have the opportunity again this fall to nominate that unique educator for the 2025 Minnesota Teacher of the Year award. Doug Dooher with Education Minnesota says, “If you have any teachers in your life that you want to elevate and make their day, just nominate them for this award.” He says goes a long way to make teachers feel they are doing something worthwhile for their community. The Minnesota Teacher of the Year also becomes a candidate for National Teacher of the Year. Online nominations are open through November 15th on the Education Minnesota website (educationminnesota.org).
>>Rapidan Dam Store Set to Reopen Monday in Mankato
(Mankato, MN) — The owners of the Rapidan Dam Store are set to re-open next week at a temporary location in Mankato. The dining landmark was demolished by the Blue Earth County following the partial failure of the nearby Rapidan Dam. The Hruksa family home fell into the Blue Earth River after floodwaters swept away an electrical substation and undercut the riverbank. The Rapidan Dam Store’s temporary location will open Monday. A bike ride featuring slices of their homemade pie is scheduled for Sunday.
>>White Earth Nation, US Fish & Wildlife Sign Tamarac Refuge Agreement
(Detroit Lakes, MN) — A Minnesota Native American tribe will help manage the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge under a new agreement with the U-S Fish and Wildlife Service. The agreement signed Tuesday outlines how the White Earth Nation will collaborate with the federal agency to maintain the wildlife refuge. Approximately half of the 43-thousand-acre refuge is on the White Earth Reservation.
>>IRS Gives MN Farmers More Time to Replace Livestock Affected by Drought
(Washington, DC) — The Internal Revenue Service is providing additional assistance to Minnesota farmers and ranchers to help them recover from the recent drought. The I-R-S has agreed to extend the usual window for farmers to replace livestock sold or exchanged due to drought conditions. Normally, farmers have two years to replace livestock before they are required to declare capital gains on their taxes. With the extension, farmers and ranchers will have an additional two years to replace their animals.
>>Weekly Crop Update for Minnesota
(Undated) — The growing season will start and end with extremes in Minnesota. After excessive moisture this spring, dry conditions have been prevalent throughout September. U-S-D-A’s latest weekly crop update says the soybean harvest advanced to 35 percent, compared to 29 percent at this time a year ago and the five-year average of 27 percent. Corn harvest reached 7 percent, slightly behind the usual pace. Sugar beets are 16 percent harvested, in line with normal.
>>Minnesota Lynx Top Connecticut Sun at Target Center to Even WNBA Finals
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Lynx topped the Connecticut Sun 77-70 Tuesday night to even the best-of-five W-N-B-A Semifinals at a game apiece. Courtney Williams scored 17 points to lead Minnesota, Alanna Smith added 15, and All-Star Napheesa Collier finished with nine points, 12 rebounds and five assists. Alyssa Thomas had 18 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists for the Sun. Game 3 of the series is Friday night in Connecticut.
