>>JD Vance Cancels Planned Minnesota Visit
(Washington, D.C.) — Vice President JD Vance has canceled a planned visit to St. Cloud today. Vance was scheduled to join members of the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud for an event focused on efforts to combat fraud. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minnesota confirmed the cancellation, but officials have not given a reason. It’s also unclear whether the visit will be rescheduled.
>>Ellison’s Office Joins Federal Agents in Autism Center Raids
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit joined federal investigators Thursday in executing search warrants at two Twin Cities autism service providers. The searches took place at Iska Incorporated in St. Louis Park and Bright Horizon Therapy Center in Edina. Both businesses are under investigation for suspected Medicaid fraud. Officials have not announced any arrests or charges, and the investigations remain active.
>>Minnesota Sets Early Voting Record for a Midterm Election
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota is on pace for record early voting in a midterm election, with just days remaining before Election Day. More than 659-thousand Minnesotans have already cast their ballots. That’s a 64-percent increase over the same point in the 2022 midterm election. Early voting continues through November 2nd.
>>Minnesota Small Business Owners Call for Protection of Free Elections
(Undated) — More than 100 small business owners from across Minnesota have signed a pledge calling for the protection of free and fair elections. With Election Day Tuesday, the group is urging larger corporations to join their effort to protect democratic rights. Judy Morris-Meyer owns a coffee shop and wine bar in south Minneapolis. She says voting is essential to making sure everyone’s voice is heard. Morris-Meyer says her business also served as a gathering place during Operation Metro Surge, which she views as an attack on democracy.
>>Rural Voter Outreach Tour Makes Minnesota Stops
(Undated) — A nationwide effort to encourage rural voters to head to the polls is making four stops in Minnesota ahead of Tuesday’s election. Will Westmoreland, founder of Back Forty Action, is bringing his Back Forty Battleground Tour to Winona and Rochester today, followed by Fergus Falls and Moorhead Saturday. The tour aims to increase rural voter turnout and highlight issues facing agricultural communities. Westmoreland says he has held more than 130 town halls across 13 states in this election cycle.
>>Minnesota Ranks 29th in National Medicaid Study
(Undated) – Minnesota ranks 29th in the nation in a new study of all 50 states when it comes to Medicaid governance. The study was done by the New Heartland Institute and looked at 16 measures of Medicaid policy, spending, program integrity and provider-market conditions. Minnesota did well in the categories of administrative oversight and fraud enforcement. The state did poorly when it came to fiscal sustainability, Medicaid budget, rising spending and per-enrollee cost, and program design. Minnesota ranked lower than all of its neighboring states. South Dakota was ranked fifth, Iowa 7th, North Dakota 9th and Wisconsin 16th.
>>Minnesota Measles Cases Reach Highest Level in 36 Years
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota is reporting its highest number of measles cases in 36 years. The Minnesota Department of Health says 80 cases have been confirmed statewide so far this year, the most since 1990. Fifty-seven of those cases are in Todd County, with additional cases reported in seven other counties. Health officials say 71-percent of those infected are children, and all but two cases involve people who had not received two doses of the MMR vaccine. The department is urging Minnesotans to check their vaccination records and get up to date on immunizations.
>>Minnesota Reports Drop in Opioid Deaths, Launches New Overdose Alert System
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota is seeing a third straight year of declining opioid overdose deaths. New Department of Health data show 671 opioid-related deaths in 2025, down from a peak of 1,039 in 2022. However, deaths from all drug overdoses increased 3 percent last year, driven by a rise in stimulant-related deaths. The state has also launched a new alert system that uses ambulance data to spot overdose spikes and notify local and tribal health officials so they can respond sooner.
>>Hermantown Limits Attendance for Tonight’s Data Center Vote
(Hermantown, MN) — The Hermantown City Council is expected to take up the proposed Google data center again tonight. (6:30 PM) In-person attendance will be limited to the first 85 people in council chambers because of fire safety restrictions. The meeting will also be streamed online, giving the public another way to watch. Only those attending in person will be able to speak during public comments. The council is scheduled to consider several agreements, including a special-use permit and development agreement for the project. The meeting was postponed twice earlier this week after protests and scheduling concerns.
>>Doctor Shares Halloween Safety Tips for Drivers, Trick-or-Treaters
(Minneapolis, MN) — Halloween brings extra activity on the roads and plenty of excitement for kids. Dr. James Miner with the University of Minnesota Medical School says drivers should be especially alert, with more people traveling to parties and children crossing streets while trick-or-treating. He also encourages parents to check costumes for proper fit, visibility and safe footwear to help prevent falls and injuries. When it comes to candy, Miner says the biggest concern is often kids eating too much at once. He recommends setting limits on treats after a night of trick-or-treating.
