>>Governor Orders Flags at Half-Staff for Firefighters
(St. Paul, MN) – Governor Tim Walz has directed all U.S. and Minnesota flags at state buildings to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Sunday to honor Minnesota firefighters killed in the line of duty. This order occurs annually in honor of Minnesota Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day. Individuals, businesses and other organizations are encouraged to join in lowering their flags to honor Minnesota’s fallen firefighters and their families.
>>Hoffman’s Criticize Boelter Defense Ahead of State Trial
(Minneapolis, MN) — State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, are criticizing Vance Boelter’s latest defense strategy ahead of his state trial. Boelter’s attorneys want to argue the 2025 shootings of Minnesota lawmakers were justified as part of an attempted citizen’s arrest. A judge has not yet ruled on whether that defense can be presented to a jury. John Hoffman says there was “no self-defense” and Boelter should spend the rest of his life behind bars. Yvette Hoffman called the latest legal maneuver a “clown show,” noting Boelter already admitted to the crimes in federal court. His state trial begins November 2nd.
>>Minnesota PUC Investigating Electricity and Natural Gas Rates
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota regulators are launching a statewide investigation into the affordability of electricity and natural gas. The Public Utilities Commission says it will examine how regulations, state and federal requirements, and other factors affect customer bills. The PUC says Minnesota had the nation’s eighth-lowest average residential electric bills in 2024 and that regulators have rejected more than $1.5 billion in proposed utility rate increases in recent years.
>>Minnesota Early Voting Off to Strong Start
(St. Paul, MN) — Early voting is underway in Minnesota, with election officials distributing nearly 385,000 absentee and mail ballots during the first six days. The Secretary of State’s Office says about 8,400 voters have already cast ballots in person, while another 3,900 have returned ballots by mail. For comparison, about 11,400 Minnesotans voted early during the first week of the 2022 election. The state will release updated absentee voting numbers each week through the fall.
>>Governor Walz Traveling to Nordic Countries
(St. Paul, MN) – Governor Tim Walz is heading out on another international trip. The governor will travel to Denmark, Sweden, and Iceland starting Sunday through Saturday, October 3rd. The governor hopes to strengthen international partnerships, promote Minnesota as a destination for business investment, and expand opportunities for Minnesota companies and workers. During the trip, Governor Walz will meet with government, business, and economic development leaders to advance Minnesota’s leadership in healthcare innovation, agriculture, clean technology, higher education, and advanced manufacturing. Since 2019, the Governor and his administration have led 12 international trade missions to more than 18 countries and visited more than 45 international companies with investments in Minnesota.
>>Protect Minnesota Criticizes DOJ Lawsuit Over Gun Law
(St. Paul, MN) — Protect Minnesota is criticizing a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit challenging the state’s firearm purchase waiting-period law. Executive Director Maggiy Emery says the law gives authorities time to conduct background checks and helps ensure guns are sold only to people legally allowed to possess them. The DOJ argues Minnesota’s waiting-period requirements violate the Second Amendment and is asking a federal court to block their enforcement.
>>Finstad Meets with Biofuel Leaders, Farmers in Janesville
(Janesville, MN) – Republican Congressman Brad Finstad met with Minnesota biofuel leaders and farmers Friday to discuss domestic energy production and expanding year-round E15. Finstad hosted a roundtable with the Minnesota Biofuels Association and Guardian Energy before touring the company’s ethanol facility in Janesville. The facility is undergoing a major construction project that includes a new grain bin with a 2.3-million-bushel capacity. Finstad says he is pushing for passage of a new Farm Bill and nationwide, year-round sales of E15.
>>St. Cloud Man Killed in Todd County Motorcycle Crash
(Long Prairie, MN) — A 22-year-old St. Cloud man is dead following a motorcycle crash in Todd County. The Minnesota State Patrol says Henry Polanco was riding near Long Prairie Tuesday evening when his motorcycle left the road and struck a tree. A trooper discovered people along the highway searching for Polanco, who was later found dead in a ditch. The State Patrol says alcohol was not a factor in the crash. It’s unknown whether Polanco was wearing a helmet.
>>Cattle Truck Overturns on Highway 10 Near Wadena
(Wadena, MN) — Highway 10 west of Wadena is back open after a semi hauling cattle overturned Friday morning. The Minnesota State Patrol says the truck left the highway and rolled around 6:30 a.m. The driver was not hurt. Highway 10 was closed in both directions for several hours as crews worked to secure the livestock and remove the overturned truck and trailer. The crash remains under investigation.
