Cottage Grove, MN – On Wednesday evening, August 10, Miss Minnesota’s Outstanding Teen, Julia Schumacher, won the first night of preliminary competition “On-Stage Question – Red Carpet Evening Gown Award” at Miss America’s Outstanding Teen competition in Dallas, Texas. She will receive a $1000 educational scholarship for her preliminary win. Miss Washington’s Outstanding Teen, Morgan Greco, won the preliminary talent award. Julia will compete in preliminary talent Thursday evening August 11, at the national competition. The winner of Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2023 will receive a $30,000 educational scholarship and will be crowned on Friday, August 12. Minnesota has never had [...]

Excessive drinking cost Minnesotans nearly $8 billion in 2019, according to a new study from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). The study found the greatest financial cost fell on those who drink excessively and their families--as well as government and health insurance providers "A lot of these costs are associated with binge drinking and so that is four or more drinks on an occasion for women or five or more on an occasion for men and binge drinking we found accounted for about 73% of the costs almost three-quarters of the cost." The MDH's Kari Gloppen says most of the [...]

(St. Paul, MN)  --  A Minnesota gun rights group will not endorse a candidate in the 2022 governor's race.  The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus and Political Action Committee made the announcement yesterday. The caucus traditionally backs the Republican candidate but won't be this year.  Group chairman Bryan Strawser says GOP challenger Scott Jensen betrayed his 2016 endorsement for the Minnesota Senate by co-sponsoring gun control measures after getting elected.

(St. Paul, MN)  --  Minnesota is getting nearly a one-hundred-million dollars to support transportation projects.  The Biden administration recently awarded the state 99-point-four million dollars as part of the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity program.  The funds will go toward six key projects, including an effort to modernize bridges and roads.  U.S Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said the funding will help make the state's transportation systems more affordable, accessible, sustainable, and safe.

(St. Paul, MN)  --  Governor Tim Walz and Dr. Scott Jensen are working overtime to persuade voters to support their public safety plans.  Walz was joined by top state law enforcement leaders outside U.S. Bank Stadium yesterday as he pledged to continue increased state aid to fight gun violence, carjackings, and other crimes in Minneapolis.  Jensen criticized Walz's event, saying people need better than more of the same.  The two advanced to the general election for governor in Tuesday's primaries and have been increasingly feuding since then.

(St. Paul, MN)  --  Most of the candidates moving forward to the general election for the Minnesota House and Senate are familiar names.  Incumbents did well in the primaries, with most securing their nominations.  Democrats say a handful of Republican newcomers represent a far-right shift by some in that party.  General election battles are set to focus on inflation and violent crime.

(St. Paul, MN)  --  Gas utilities will be passing 600-million dollars in costs along to Minnesota consumers.  The original extra costs related to a February 2021 storm came in at 660-million dollars, but utility regulators disallowed nine-percent of the costs.  The Public Utilities Commission decided yesterday that the remaining costs could be passed on through a special surcharge.  The amount the commission exempted was far less than what was hoped for by the Minnesota Department of Commerce.  The Department of Commerce represents ratepayers and utility watchdog groups.

(Chicago, IL)  --  Two suspects in a shooting incident at the Mall of America are in custody.  Authorities arrested alleged shooter Shamar Lark and one alleged accomplice Rashad May in Chicago yesterday.  The two were the subjects of a nationwide warrant issued for their arrest.  Police say two groups were involved in an argument inside the Nike store at the Mall of America August 4th when Lark allegedly opened fire on the other group.  Lark is charged with second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, intentional discharge of a firearm, and carrying a pistol without a permit in a public place.  May [...]

All signs are pointing to a strong deer hunting season across most of Minnesota this fall. The DNR's Barb Keller: "Deer populations are faring pretty well throughout central, southern, and southwestern Minnesota. So we have expanded some opportunities for hunters in these areas of the state. However, in northern Minnesota deer populations are coming off of a pretty severe winter. So in that area of the state we have reduced some bag limits." The archery deer season opens on September 17th. The firearms deer season kicks off on November 5th.

Local businesses may dispose of unwanted fluorescent light bulbs, ballasts, and high-intensity discharge lamps at no cost or at reduced rates. Business Bulb Collection Day is Thursday, August 18th  from 10 am to 1 pm at the Blue Earth County Household Hazardous Waste Facility, 651 Summit Avenue, Mankato. Xcel Energy commercial customers will not be charged for disposal of up to 10 light bulbs. Businesses that aren’t Xcel customers may take advantage of reduced disposal fees during the promotion. Fees on Thursday, August 18th are 50 cents for each 4-foot or shorter bulb; 75 cents for bulbs more than 4-feet long and [...]