Rain Dampens MN; PFAS Treatment Bill Signed; MN Appeals Court Rules On Gun Carry In Vehicle Case
>>Storms To Bring Rain, Strong Winds Today
(Minneapolis, MN) — Minnesota could finally see some relief from the dry conditions that have increased the fire danger around the state. A storm system will move through the state today, bringing several inches of rain to some locations. A bigger worry is the strong winds expected during the storm. The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for much of central, southern and western Minnesota, with gusts of up to 50 miles an hour possible until seven o’clock tonight.
>>Walz Signs $79M Conservation Bill
(St. Paul, MN) — Conservation and natural resource projects in Minnesota will get a funding boost thanks to a bill signed yesterday by Governor Walz. The bill directs 79-million dollars from the state’s environment and natural resources trust fund to projects around the state. Included in the bill is just over a million dollars to fund initiatives to help communities affected by water contamination from chemicals known as PFAS. Another two-million will go to projects to help replace septic systems for low-income property owners.
>>State Appeals Court Says Vehicles Are Not Private Spaces In Gun Ruling
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Court of Appeals says drivers may need a gun permit if they plan on having a loaded firearm in a vehicle on a public road. An appellate judge ruled yesterday that having a firearm in a vehicle can be considered carrying a gun in a public place. The case revolved around a man who was arrested in Ramsey County in 2022 for having a BB gun under the driver’s seat of his vehicle. The decision overturned a lower-court ruling that a vehicle is a private place even when driving on a public road. The case will now be returned to the lower court for further review.
>>Minnesota DFL Criticizes Local Party Endorsement Of Candidate
(St. Paul, MN) — The chairman of the state DFL Party wants a local group to rescind its endorsement of a state senate candidate in western Minnesota. Democrats in Senate District 12 endorsed state House candidate Judd Hoff over the weekend. Hoff was convicted of felony assault in 2021 and has been accused of harassing his opponent, Republican state Representative Mary Franson of Alexandria. Local party representatives say Hoff explained his conviction and signed the party’s code of conduct before getting their endorsement. The state party does not plan to give Hoff any support, with the state chair saying “violent and threatening behaviors” have no place in the Minnesota DFL party.
>>Grand Forks Man Injured In Minnesota Train Collision
(Polk County, MN) — A Grand Forks man has been injured in a train collision in Polk County, Minnesota. Authorities say it happened Monday afternoon at the Highway 75 bypass, where a BNSF train heading eastbound collided with the man’s Nissan Altima at a railroad crossing. The man’s identity will be released later today, and there’s no word on his current condition.
>>Parts Of Superior Hiking Trail To Close For Repairs
(Silver Bay, MN) — Portions of a popular northeastern Minnesota hiking trail will be closing this year for repairs and improvements. The Bean and Bear Lakes Loop on the Superior Hiking Trail will close on May 15th for deferred maintenance and infrastructure upgrades. The Superior Hiking Trail Association says part of the Split Rock River Loop will close on September 1st for similar improvements. No reopening dates were announced.
>>MN Native Top American Woman In Boston Marathon
(Boston, MA) — A Minnesota native is the top-finishing woman in this year’s Boston Marathon. This is the second year in a row that Emma Bates of Elk River has taken that honor. She finished 12th overall among all women, crossing the finish line at two hours, 27 minutes and 14 seconds. The 31-year-old placed fifth overall among women in 2023, with a personal best time of two hours, 22 minutes and ten seconds.
