Authorities have recovered the year’s third drowning victim from the Red River. Reports say the man was in a group fishing near Fargo Monday when he was seen going for a swim. He went underwater and never resurfaced. His identity has not been released.
In northwestern Minnesota, the man killed by a Canadian Pacific train late Sunday has been identified. The Becker County Sheriff’s Office says 41-year old Joseph Mackner of Detroit Lakes was walking along the tracks when he was struck by the train. Mackner died at the scene.
A St. Cloud man faces a second degree murder charge after punching a man who later died. The incident happened early Saturday when police say 21-year old Travis Johnson punched 22-year old Anthony Shriver of Waconia. Shriver complained of a headache but was not treated at the scene. He later died. Johnson, who had been arrested for assault, turned himself in on Sunday.
The governor has authorized more than six-hundred thousand dollars in state disaster aid for three northwestern counties. Tornadoes, high winds, hail and heavy rains caused significant damage nearly a month ago in Becker, Clay and Norman counties. The money will help with local infrastructure repair and clean-up costs.
Minnesota has the third-highest homeownership rate in the country. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 74-percent of homes in Minnesota are occupied by their owners. South Carolina and West Virginia were first and second.