>>Minnesota’s EMS Task Force Seeks Help in Washington, DC
(Washington, DC) — The state’s legislative Task Force on E-M-S is in Washington, DC talking with Congress and federal officials about ways to strengthen emergency medical services. Chairman John Huot of Rosemount says Minnesota’s delegation is aware of the lack of E-M-Ts in rural areas and other issues. He says they’re meeting with all of Minnesota’s representatives and senators and were invited to the White House. Huot says the task force believes the reimbursement model for E-M-S through Medicare and Medicaid is broken. State lawmakers passed bi-partisan reforms last session and provided an initial 24 million dollars for E-M-S and ambulance services.
>>FEMA Extends Disaster Assistance Application Deadline for Flood, Storm Victims
(St. Paul, MN) — FEMA is extending the application deadline for federal assistance one month for Minnesotans in 21 counties affected by flooding and storms this summer. State Emergency Management officials say homeowners and renters who suffered damage between June 16th and July 4th now have until October 27th to apply for individual assistance. The federal funds may include reimbursement for expenses such as temporary housing, home and vehicle repairs, property damage, and other disaster-related costs. You can apply by phone, online at disasterassistance.gov, or by visiting a local FEMA disaster recovery center.
>>State Awards $4.4 Million to 37 Organizations for Alzheimer’s/Dementia Support
(St. Paul, MN) — The state is awarding four-point-four-million dollars to 37 organizations to help Minnesotans be better prepared to care for loved ones suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and dementias. Minnesota Board on Aging Chair Maureen Schneider says one of the focuses of this grant round is respite care. She says, “caregivers, particularly family-based caregivers, they simply need a break from time to time. But you aren’t able to go and leave the person who needs and relies on your care without strong assurances that they are going to be well taken care of.” Schneider says these grants fund innovative and culturally specific programs that are expanding the capacity to help folks suffering Alzheimer’s remain in their community and their homes.
>>PUC Orders Xcel Energy to Pay Customers $1 Million for Too Many Complaints
(St. Paul, MN) — State regulators are ordering Xcel Energy to pay its customers one million dollars because the utility received too many complaints in 2023. The state Public Utilities Commission says Xcel exceeded its “customer complaint threshold” and half of the one million dollars will be equally refunded to electric customers and the other half will go to credits for low-income customers. P-U-C Commissioner Valerie Means says data show inequity in disconnections, past due accounts, and compounding of penalties and “we need our utilities to work with our most disadvantaged customers… so these customers don’t fall further behind.” Regulators say they’ll hear more from Xcel and stakeholders on the issue later this fall.
>>2 Dead, 3 Wounded in Late Night Shooting in Downtown Minneapolis
(Minneapolis, MN) — Police are investigating another deadly incident involving young people in downtown Minneapolis. Officers were called to a fight early Saturday on Hennepin Avenue where they heard gunshots. Five victims were wounded and taken to the hospital, but two men did not survive. Two teenage girls and a woman suffered non-life threatening injuries. Investigators say a suspect has been arrested and a gun was recovered at the scene.
>>MPD Search for Missing 3-Year-Old, Possibly Taken by Woman
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minneapolis Police Department is asking for the public’s help finding a missing three-year-old girl. Aaliyah Evans was last seen in Minneapolis around noon Sunday. Evans is described as biracial, three feet 5 inches, 35 pounds, with brown eyes and short, curly brown hair with blonde streaks in it. She was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and black jeans. Evans’ mother told officials she left the girls with a homeless woman outside a Target store. The 32-year-old woman is described as bi-racial and last seen wearing a tie-dye shirt and light gray leggings. Evans’ mother is concerned for her welfare.
>>Woman Arrested in Stabbing That Injured 4 Men in South Minneapolis
(Minneapolis, MN) — A woman is in custody after allegedly stabbing four men during a fight in south Minneapolis this weekend . Police found two victims around 1 am Sunday and one had life-threatening injuries. Both men were taken to Hennepin Healthcare. Officers say two more men arrived at the hospital with non-life-threatening wounds. They say the suspect arrived with one of the men and was arrested.
>>Motorcyclist From Lester Prairie Killed in Crash near Lake Minnetonka
(Minnetrista, MN) — A motorcyclist from Lester Prairie in McCleod County is the victim of deadly crash in the west metro near Lake Minnetonka. The Minnesota State Patrol says a cycle driven by 24-year-old Johnathan Hommer collided with an S-U-V late Friday night at an intersection on Highway 7 near Minnetrista. The report say Hommer died at the scene and alcohol may have been involved. The woman driving the S-U-V and her passenger were not hurt.
>>Minnesota Vikings Rout Houston Texans at US Bank Stadium
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Vikings moved to 3-and-0 with a 34-7 victory over the Houston Texans Sunday at U-S Bank Stadium. Sam Darnold threw for 181 yards and four touchdowns and Aaron Jones ran for 102 yards and caught a T-D pass. The Vikings defense intercepted Houston quarterback C-J Stroud twice and sacked him five times. Minnesota plays the 2-and-1 Packers next Sunday in Green Bay.
>>Minnesota Lynx Hold Off Phoenix Mercury in Playoff Opener
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Lynx topped the Phoenix Mercury 102-95 Sunday at Target Center in Game 1 of the W-N-B-A playoffs. Napheesa Collied had 38 points, six rebounds and four assists and Kayla McBride scored 20 for Minnesota. The Lynx couldn’t protect a 23-point lead in second quarter and needed a late fourth quarter rally to hold off Phoenix. Game 2 of the best-of-three series is Wednesday night in Minneapolis.
