>>Wadena-Deer Park Schools Closed Due To Threat
(Wadena, MN) — Classes were canceled yesterday in the Wadena-Deer Creek Public School District. Authorities closed all schools because of an unspecified threat. They say they are now working with police as they investigate the incident.
>>Woman Dies After Crash In Stearns County
(Crow Lake, MN) — A woman has died after a head-on crash in Stearns County early yesterday. The Minnesota State Patrol says a Honda Fit collided with a GMC Envoy on Highway 55 in Crow Lake Township around 6:45 a.m. Forty-one-year-old Cassie Mithaugen died in the crash, and a three-year-old passenger in Mithaugen’s vehicle was injured. The driver of the other vehicle was also injured but did not require treatment. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
>>Schultz To Challenge Stauber In 8th District Congressional Race
(Duluth, MN) — Former DFL state lawmaker Jen Schultz is planning another run for Congress against Republican Pete Stauber. Schultz is preparing for the formal launch of her campaign in Minnesota’s Eighth Congressional District, which is expected to happen later this week. Schultz challenged Stauber in 2022 and lost in the general election, with the Republican congressman getting more than 57-percent of the vote.
>>Northern MN Food Banks Merge
(Duluth, MN) — Two northern Minnesota organizations are joining forces to create the state’s second-largest regional food bank. Second Harvest Northern Lakes in Duluth will merge with Second Harvest North Central in Grand Rapids. The new organization will be called Second Harvest Northland. Officials say the merger will increase efficiency and reduce overhead to better serve over 70-thousand people across 15 counties.
>>U.S. DOT Awards $1B For Blatnik Bridge Replacement
(Duluth, MN) — The federal government plans to spend over one-billion dollars to help replace an aging bridge connecting Minnesota and Wisconsin. Governor Tim Walz announced the funding for the Blatnik Bridge replacement project yesterday. Elected leaders from Minnesota and Wisconsin have been asking for federal help after committing 800-million dollars in state funding to the project last year. Design work for the bridge replacement is expected to begin later this year.
>>MN Launches Military Child Care Initiative
(St. Paul, MN) — The Department of Defense is funding a new initiative that will help military families afford the cost of childcare. Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan joined state military leaders to announce the launch of the program in Minnesota yesterday. Military Child Care In Your Neighborhood PLUS provides up to 18-hundred dollars a month to cover civilian child care for eligible active-duty families. Major General Shawn Manke of the Minnesota National Guard said the program will help the military retain soldiers because it provides a substantial benefit to their families.
>>DNR Announces Plans For $150M In State Funding
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will spend nearly 150-million dollars over the next few years improving facilities around the state. The money was set aside in the state budget by Governor Walz to help modernize outdoor recreation experiences across Minnesota. In addition to 60-million for fisheries and 35-million for improving access to public lands, the DNR will spend 35-million to improve boating access and ten-million to restore streams and natural habitats. Other funds will go toward camping and infrastructure improvements at several state parks.
