>>First Snowfall Arrives in Central and Southern Minnesota
(Chanhassen, MN) — Folks in parts of central and southern Minnesota are waking up to the first snowfall of the season. The National Weather Service reports about an inch on the ground in the Twin Cities and a dusting of snow in several areas. Payne in St. Louis County had two inches while the Duluth area and Mahtowa in Carlton County received just over an inch. Waubun in northwest Minnesota’s Mahnomen County reported five inches late Monday night and parts of Clay County got two-and-a-half inches. Forecasters say bridges and overpasses may be slippery during the morning commute.
>>Wild Mountain Opens for Ski and Snowboard Season
(Taylors Falls, MN) — The ski and snowboard season is off to an early start at Wild Mountain near Taylors Falls. Snowsports manager Nathan Hakseth says crews have been making snow for the last three nights. He says they have one trail and rope tow open right now and the Front Stage terrain park and crews are working to get one chairlift going. Hakseth says it was quite busy Monday afternoon as a lot of people were itching to get out on the snow.
>>Executive Order Eliminates 4-Year Degree Requirement for Most State Jobs
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz says an executive order he signed Monday afternoon recognizes that “not all Minnesotans need a four-year degree to be successful.” It eliminates college degree requirements for more than 75 percent of state government jobs. The executive order also updates hiring guidance for state government positions to emphasize skills and work experience and aims to help existing employees develop long-term career paths. The governor’s office says Walz has advocated for funding for alternatives to college, including expanded job training and workforce development.
>>Office of Cannabis Management Seeks Public Input from Minnesotans
(St. Paul, MN) — The new state Office of Cannabis Management is asking for public input on cannabis cultivation, processing, and manufacturing as it begins drafting rules for the new cannabis industry in Minnesota. Stakeholders and other interested parties can fill out a survey on the Office of Cannabis Management website. Interim director Charlene Briner (BRY-ner) says they want to “thoughtfully launch a safe, new legal market and help ensure the state has an adequate supply to meet demand once the market opens.” Briner says there will be additional opportunities for public input through in-person and virtual meetings to be announced in the coming months, plus a formal public comment period after the office issues proposed rules. It’s part of the adult-use cannabis legislation passed and signed into law in May.
>>Convicted Child Killer Charged with Murdering Lino Lakes Cellmate
(Lino Lakes, MN) — A man serving life in prison for killing his girlfriend’s two-and-a-half-year-old daughter is now facing a murder charge for allegedly strangling his cellmate at the Lino Lakes state prison on October 5th. Forty-two-year-old Kyle Kelbel told investigators he and 63-year-old Steven Patchen argued the night before and on the day of the killing he “just snapped,” beat Patchen, and then strangled him with a string used to hold the cell door open. Kelbel says after Patchen died, he put him in clean clothes, placed him on his side in his bunk, and covered him up to make it look like Patchen was sleeping.
>>Body Found in Tent in Rochester Park
(Rochester, MN) — Rochester police are investigating after the body of a homeless man was found inside a tent in a park over the weekend. Officers say the 57-year-old man died Friday night in Silver Lake Park. A friend discovered the man unresponsive. Police say there are no signs of foul play or trauma and that the man did not have a permanent address.
>>Minnesota Inventors of Bobcat Loader Inducted into National Hall of Fame
(Washington, DC) — Cyril and Louis Keller, the Minnesota brothers who developed the world’s first compact loader later named the Bobcat, have been posthumously inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in Washington D-C. In the 1950s a farmer approached the Kellers, who ran a small machine-and-blacksmith shop, asking them for a self-propelled loader light enough to be lifted to the second floor of a turkey barn and nimble enough to clean around the barn’s upright poles. They developed a loader with two front drive wheels and a rear caster, which they later refined for Melroe Manufacturing — now Bobcat Company, headquartered in West Fargo. Louis Keller’s son, Joel says “There is no one that the Bobcat loader hasn’t affected or helped through life — even though they may not know it.”
>>Minnesota Vikings Hosting Trick or Treat Event at Children’s Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) — C-J Ham’s family and the Minnesota Vikings running backs are hosting a superhero-themed trick-or-treat event today (Tues 3:30 pm) at Children’s Minnesota. Hospital officials say these young patients are unable to go out themselves and beg for candy. Alexander Mattison, Cam Akers, and Ty Chandler are among the other players celebrating Halloween with the kids. The Vikings play at the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
>>Creed Coming to Treasure Island in 2024
(Welch, MN) — Creed is coming to Treasure Island Resort and Casino next year for a planned concert. The band is set to perform on Saturday, August 17th at the Treasure Island Amphitheater in Welch, featuring 3 Doors Down and Finger Eleven. Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins says the team has been playing the Creed song “Higher” in the locker room during their three-game win streak.