Deadly Accident On Highway 64; Grad Rates Decline; MN Strives To Reduce Opiod Deaths
>One Dead After Crash In Hubbard County
(International Falls, MN) — A woman is dead following a crash in Hubbard County. The Minnesota State Patrol says 20-year-old Lillian Laforge of International Falls died yesterday afternoon in a crash on Highway 64. Investigators say the vehicle Laforge was riding in crossed the center line of the highway and was hit by a semi. The driver of the vehicle was injured but is expected to recover, while the driver of the truck was not hurt. The state patrol says Laforge was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. (24/7 News Source)
>>Minnesota Graduation Rates Slipped In 2023
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota’s graduation rate is slightly down. The state Department of Education says 83 percent of high schoolers earned their diplomas on time in 2023. Officials credit the slight dip partially to errors in tracking students, mainly when they transferred schools. The report also shows small decreases in the graduation rates for Black, Asian, and Latino students learning English. (24/7 News Source)
>>Minnesota Launches $200-Million Plan To Combat Opioid Abuse
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota is launching a 200-million-dollar plan to reduce deaths from opioid abuse. Minnesota Office of Addiction and Recovery director Jeremy Drucker says data shows an increase in opioid deaths throughout the state in recent years, making such a plan a necessity. It involves the implementation of safe recovery centers, which could also include safe consumption areas, where people can bring their drugs to be tested for deadly substances like fentanyl. The first recovery center could open as soon as next year. (24/7 News Source)
>>BCA Settles Lawsuit Over Release Of Data In Officer-Involved Deaths
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is settling a lawsuit over its failure to release data about deadly officer-involved shootings. Five families filed the lawsuit last year, saying the BCA failed to release requested information about deadly shootings in a timely manner. Each family had a relative killed in a situation that involved police. The agency agreed to pay the families 165-thousand dollars and to change their policies on working with families when information is requested.(24/7 News Source)
>>UMD Announces Nies As Pick For Next Chancellor
(Duluth, MN) — The University of Minnesota-Duluth has picked its next chancellor. The university announced yesterday that Charles Nies [[ nees ]] will take over the position on July 1st, pending the approval of the Minnesota Board of Regents. Nies is currently the vice chancellor of student affairs at the University of California Merced. Nies said in a statement that he’s excited to take the position, praising the staff and students at the university for being “wonderful creative and brilliant.”(24/7 News Source)
>>Millions Approved To Fight Invasive Carp
(Winona, MN) — The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council is dedicating millions-of-dollars to fight invasive carp in the Mississippi River. The council, which is a state formed group of citizen and legislators, is allocating twelve-million-dollars towards developing a deterrent to reduce the carp in the river near Winona. The carp compete with native fish for food and if nothing is done, they are expected to travel further up the river. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service say they are working together on a plan, and will release details of that plan soon. (24/7 News Source)
>>Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura Starts Cannabis Edible Company
(Columbia Heights, MN) — Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura is getting into the cannabis edibles business. Ventura is partnering with Columbia Heights-based Retro Bakery to produce edibles under the Jesse Ventura Farms brand. Ventura has been a big supporter of legalizing cannabis in Minnesota, saying his wife was able to bring her seizures under control using the drug. The product will be available for pre-orders on Monday.(24/7 News Source)
