>>Minnesota House Democrats Elect Representative Stephenson Caucus Leader
(St. Paul, MN) — State Representative Zack Stephenson of Coon Rapids will be the Minnesota House Democratic caucus leader next session. House D-F-L members elected Stephenson at a meeting Monday night. He was a close friend and former campaign manager for fallen House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and served as a pall bearer at her funeral. Stephenson said in a statement, “While I’ve been chosen to lead, it will take all of us, working together, to move forward, honor Speaker Hortman’s legacy, and build a Minnesota where everyone can succeed.”
>>Senator Putnam Hosting School Safety Discussion in St. Cloud
(St. Cloud, MN) — State Senator Arik Putnam of St. Cloud is hosting a community discussion Wednesday night to talk about school safety. It will include the St. Cloud police chief, school superintendent, and a mental health expert. Putnam says he’s looking for ideas to take back to the Capitol. He says, “I wanted to have an opportunity for people to tell me in my community what their priorities would be if there were to be a special session.” Putnam says he will have new perspective after talking with constituents following the community meeting.
>>Minnesota Doctors Call for Special Session on Gun Safety Legislation
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Medical Association (MMA) and four other physician advocacy organizations are urging Governor Walz to call a special legislative session to pass gun safety legislation. M-M-A past President Dr. Laurel Ries says, “It’s not a short-term impact when a child gets killed or injured by a firearm; those who survive will end up with long-term health problems as a result, and all the people around them experience some degree of trauma in the years that follow because of the injury to the child.” The M-M-A is pushing for a statewide ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and a requirement that firearms be stored locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition.
>>Rough Start to Fall Allergy Season in Minnesota
(St. Louis Park, MN) — This is shaping up to be a bad fall allergy season in Minnesota. Doctor Zeke McKinney of HealthPartners says many of us are sneezing and itching our eyes due to ragweed and mold. He says the ragweed season is longer now because of climate change and it’s getting to the hard frost later in the season. McKinney says people with severe allergies should stay inside and close their windows. He notes that there are effective drugs to treat fall allergies.
>>Minnesota Star Tribune Closing Printing Plant, Laying Off 125 Employees
(Minneapolis, MN) — The state’s largest newspaper is closing its printing plant in Minneapolis and laying off around 125 workers. The Minnesota Star Tribune announced the Heritage plant will be sold and the newspaper will be printed in Iowa. The Gannett facility in Des Moines will print the Star Tribune seven days a week beginning December 28th. This move will end a 158-year run of locally printed newspapers. Star Tribune publisher and C-E-O Steve Grove said the shift will result in “several millions” in annual savings.
>>Inmate from Iowa Dies at Duluth Federal Prison Camp
(Duluth, MN) — The death of an inmate is under investigation at the Duluth Federal Prison Camp. The Federal Bureau of Prisons reported that 60-year-old Terrance Buescher from Iowa was found unresponsive around 8:30 Monday morning. Prison staff tried to save him, but Buescher was dead when paramedics got there. Officials say Buescher had been in Duluth since last September and was serving a five-year sentence for an Iowa methamphetamine conviction. No word yet on a possible cause of death.
>>Survey Worker Fatally Struck by SUV in Scott County
(Elko New Market, MN) — Scott County authorities say a man conducting survey work was killed Monday morning after being struck by an S-U-V near Elko New Market. Deputies responded to a report of a pedestrian hit in New Market Township just before noon. Investigators say an S-U-V driven by a 58-year-old man from Lonsdale was traveling northbound when it struck the 44-year-old worker from Minneapolis. The incident remains under investigation and police say it does not appear that alcohol or drugs were a factor.
>>Douglas County Fire Destroys Home, Abandoned Home Near Brandon
(Brandon, MN) — Two homes and a garage are destroyed after a fire on Monday afternoon in Douglas County. A passing motorist spotted flames at a home in rural Brandon and alerted the homeowners who escaped safely. Fire crews from Brandon, Evansville, and Garfield battled the fire, but strong winds pushed flames into the main house. An abandoned house believed to have been built in the 1890s also caught fire. They are both a total loss. The cause is unknown, but officials say nothing appears suspicious. The American Red Cross is assisting the family.
>>Minnesota Vikings Rally Past Chicago Bears in Season Opener at Soldier Field
(Chicago, IL) — The Vikings are celebrating a 27-24 comeback win over the Bears in the season opener Monday night at Soldier Field. Minnesota outscored Chicago 21-7 in the fourth quarter. Quarterback J-J McCarthy threw touchdown passes to Justin Jefferson and Aaron Jones and ran for a 14-yard T-D. McCarthy went 13-for-20 for 143 yards with two touchdowns, and an interception in his first career start. Running back Jordan Mason had 68 yards in his debut with the Purple. The 1-and-0 Vikings host the 0-and-1 Falcons in the home opener on Sunday night.
