>>U.S. Rep. Morrison Calls on House Speaker to Cancel Recess over AI Concerns
(Washington, D.C.) – Minnesota Congresswoman Kelly Morrison is calling on House Speaker Mike Johnson to cancel the House recess over concerns about artificial intelligence. Morrison has joined more than 100 of her Congressional colleagues urging the House to stay in session and address the warnings from industry experts and leaders on risks posed by advanced AI. Members point to recent disclosures involving rogue AI agents, biological misuse, cyberattacks, foreign surveillance, and efforts by Chinese companies to replicate American AI systems. The members want the House to stay in session until safeguards are in place.
>>DPS Allocates $12.5 Million in Firefighting Funding
(St. Paul, MN) – Minnesota is putting more than $12.5 million toward strengthening fire departments and supporting firefighters across the state. The Department of Public Safety says the one-time funding will expand fire prevention efforts, upgrade specialized emergency response capabilities, and provide more firefighter training opportunities. The money comes from Minnesota’s Fire Safety Account, which the Legislature created in 2006. The account is funded through a surcharge Minnesotans pay on homeowners and other property insurance policies.
>>Lyme Disease Bill Heads to President’s Desk
(Washington, D.C.) – A bill to protect more Minnesotans from tick bites and Lyme disease is heading to President Trump’s desk for his signature and to become law. Minnesota Senator Tina Smith spearheaded the bipartisan bill through both chambers of Congress. The “Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act” is named after the North Carolina Senator who passed away in 2019 from complications due to a tick-borne virus. The new law will support research, testing, and treatment of these diseases. Most recent data show Minnesota had 3,551 cases of Lyme disease in 2024.
>>Fed Rate Hike Could Raise Borrowing Costs for Minnesotans
(Washington, D.C.) — Minnesotans could face higher borrowing costs after the Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time in three years. The Fed increased its benchmark rate by a quarter percentage point Wednesday, to a range of three-and-three-quarters to four percent, as it continues to battle inflation. The move could mean higher rates on credit cards and other variable-rate loans. Mortgage rates aren’t directly set by the Fed, but remain elevated, adding to affordability concerns for Minnesota homebuyers. Higher borrowing costs can also put pressure on businesses financing equipment and expansion.
>>ICE Agent Jailed in Minnesota Over Metro Surge Shooting
(Minneapolis, MN) — An ICE agent accused in a shooting during Operation Metro Surge is now being held in the Hennepin County Jail. Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension agents arrested 52-year-old Christian Castro Wednesday (1:30 PM) in Minneapolis. Prosecutors allege Castro fired through the front door of a north Minneapolis duplex in January, striking Venezuelan immigrant Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in the leg. Castro faces four felony counts of second-degree assault and a misdemeanor false-reporting charge. He is also federally charged with six counts of making false statements to the FBI about the shooting. Castro is scheduled to make his first court appearance today on the state charges.
>>Trial Underway for Father Accused of Killing Teen Son
(Anoka, MN) — The murder trial is underway for a Columbia Heights father accused of killing his 16-year-old son, Jordan “Manny” Collins Junior. Jordan Collins Senior is charged with second-degree murder and is representing himself in Anoka County District Court. Prosecutors allege Collins killed his son in 2023 and disposed of his body. Manny’s remains were later recovered from an Elk River landfill after an extensive search. Collins has pleaded not guilty. The trial is expected to last several weeks, with prosecutors potentially calling dozens of witnesses.
>>Minnesota August Jobs Report Coming Today
(St. Paul, MN) — We’ll get a new snapshot of Minnesota’s job market later this morning. (Thurs 10 AM) The Department of Employment and Economic Development will release August employment numbers. Minnesota’s unemployment rate fell one-tenth of a point in July to 4.3 percent but remained above the current national rate of 4.1 percent. Minnesota lost about 1,900 jobs in July, although employment was up more than 44,000 jobs from a year earlier. DEED will also release Minnesota’s second-quarter export numbers today.
>>Teen Arrested After Knife Threat at Carver County High School
(Norwood Young America, MN) — A 16-year-old student is in custody after allegedly threatening other students with a large knife outside Central High School in Norwood Young America. The Carver County Sheriff’s Office says deputies were called shortly before 3 p.m. Tuesday after the teen allegedly displayed the weapon from a vehicle. The student had left before deputies arrived, but investigators later recovered a large knife from his vehicle and took him into custody.
>>St. Cloud VA Pharmacy Preparing Veterans for New Health Record System
(St. Cloud, MN) — The St. Cloud V.A. is preparing for a major change to its electronic health record system. Chief of Pharmacy John Anderson says the transition is scheduled for May 2027, and veterans can start preparing now. Anderson recommends patients review their medication lists and make sure they are accurate, including any allergies, side effects, or previous reactions to medications. He says having up-to-date information will help providers make safe medication decisions as the V.A. moves to the new system.
>>Rochester Police Say Labor Day Weekend Deaths Were Not Overdoses
(Rochester, MN) — Rochester police are correcting earlier reports that two people died from suspected drug overdoses over Labor Day weekend. Police initially said a 26-year-old Austin man and a 33-year-old Rochester woman died September fifth in separate incidents, with fentanyl suspected as a possible factor. Further investigation determined neither death was associated with a drug overdose. The causes of death have not been released, and police say they are awaiting final autopsy results as the investigations continue.
>>Hormel Adds Hot Honey Flavor To SPAM
(Austin, MN) — A Minnesota food icon is getting a sweet and spicy makeover. Austin-based Hormel Foods has launched SPAM Hot Honey, a new permanent flavor combining the classic canned meat with the increasingly popular hot-honey flavor. The company says the new variety joins more than ten other SPAM flavors and is available now at select grocery stores nationwide. Hormel is also promoting the launch with limited-time SPAM Hot Honey menu items at a New York City bakery.
