>>DOJ Files Lawsuit Against Secretary of State Simon Over Voter Registration List
(St. Paul, MN) — The U-S Department of Justice is suing Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon for refusing to provide the state’s voter registration list. The Trump administration filed the lawsuit Thursday in an attempt to get Minnesota voters’ sensitive personal information. Simon responded in a statement, “We have been very clear with the D-O-J about our position that state and federal law do not allow our office to provide them with private voter data unless they provide information about how the information will be used and secured.” Simon says his office will continue to safeguard the private information of millions of eligible voters in Minnesota.
>>State Health Department Lauches ‘Be Cannabis Aware’ Campaign
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Department of Health is rolling out a new campaign called “Be Cannabis Aware.” M-D-H spokeswoman Heidi Glesmann says it’s aimed at giving young people under 25 and the adults who support them clear, science-based information about cannabis use without judgment. She says, “We really look forward to the opportunity to get this information out there. We know there have been many questions about the new adult-use market coming to Minnesota.” There’s more information at BeCannabisAware.org.
>>Motorcyclist Killed in Three-Vehicle Rear-End Crash in Stearns County
(Sauk Centre, MN) — Authorities are investigating a deadly motorcycle crash near Sauk Centre in Stearns County. The Minnesota State Patrol says the motorcyclist was stopped behind a pickup Thursday morning when the cycle and pickup were rear-ended by a straight truck. The 63-year-old motorcyclist from Glenwood died at the scene. The drivers of the straight truck and the pickup weren’t injured. The report says alcohol was not involved.
>>Deadly Crash in Wilkin County
(Wolverton, MN) — At least one person is dead after a crash between a tanker truck and a road grader Thursday afternoon in western Minnesota’s Wilkin County. The vehicles were heading south when they collided about eight miles northeast of Wolverton. Both ended up in the ditch, the grader on its roof, the tanker upright. Emergency crews responded around 4:30 p.m. T he Minnesota State Patrol says more information will be released later today.
>>Cold Spring Man Seriously Injured in Roof Fall
(Upsala, MN) — A Cold Spring man is seriously injured after falling from a barn roof under construction near Upsala in Morrison County. The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office says 36-year-old Aaron Backes was working on the roof when a support beam gave way, causing him to fall approximately 15 feet onto a concrete surface below. Backes was airlifted to St. Cloud Hospital. His current condition is unknown.
>>Former Duluth Ski Coach Gets 6.5 Years for Creating Child Pornography
(Minneapolis, MN) — A former youth ski coach in Duluth is heading to federal prison for creating child pornography. Court documents say 28-year-old John Degelau used Photoshop to impose faces of children he coached onto explicit images, making it appear like he was performing sex acts on them. Investigators found over 18,000 files on his devices, including photos taken secretly at a beach. He was sentenced to six and a half years in prison and 10 years of supervised release. The F-B-I and Duluth Police led the case.
>>Xcel Energy Volunteers Log 3,500 Hours in MN During Day of Service
(Minneapolis, MN) — Xcel Energy employees and partners in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota contributed over 35 hundred volunteer hours during the company’s annual Day of Service. More than 12 hundred volunteers supported local nonprofits through projects like meal packing, trail cleanup, and tree planting. The effort generated an estimated $120,000 in economic impact across the region by working with over 90 nonprofits.
>>Light the Night Walk Against Blood Cancer Saturday in St. Paul
(St. Paul, MN) — Blood Cancer United’s annual Light the Night Walk is Saturday evening at Harriet Island in St. Paul. Campaign manager Kristine Reed says it is an evening walk where thousands gather to honor, remember, and celebrate those impacted by blood cancer. Participants carry illuminated lanterns, and Reed says it is an emotional moment when everyone lights their lanterns in white, red, and gold. The goal is to raise 700 thousand dollars to fund blood cancer research and support patient services in Minnesota. Blood Cancer United used to be called the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
>>Lynx and Mercury Play Game 3 of WNBA Semifinals in Phoenix
(Phoenix, AZ) — The Minnesota Lynx and Phoenix Mercury meet in Game 3 of the W-N-B-A Semifinals tonight (Fri 8:30pm) in Arizona. The Mercury evened the best-of-five series 1-1 with an 89-83 overtime win over the Lynx Tuesday night at Target Center. Minnesota blew a 20-point lead in the third quarter before falling in O-T. Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve says they will be ready for tonight’s matchup.
>>Twins Shutout Rangers to Win Series Finale in Texas
(Arlington, TX) — The Minnesota Twins shut out the Texas Rangers 4-0 Thursday to win the rubber match of three-game series in Arlington. Byron Buxton hit a leadoff home run and had another homer in eighth inning to drive in all of Minnesota’s runs. Bailey Ober pitched six scoreless innings and only allowed a pair of hits for the victory. Ex-Twins pitcher Tyler Mahle took the loss for Texas. The Twins open their final series of the season tonight (Fri) in Philadelphia.
