State Senator Nick Frentz of North Mankato says he believes police reform can be accomplished during this special session: "I'm an optimist I think there can be some common ground. Have they found it yet, no? And will that mean some gets done now and more later? Maybe, could it mean nothing gets done yeah that's always a possibility." He also says there are some fixes they could enact: "We can make changes to the police officers training board, that's the board that supervises cop's licenses and talks about the ways people become police officers and sometimes the way they lose [...]

During the summer months, frequent “tick checks” are essential. “It is important to check for ticks after spending time outdoors because if a tick is not removed it can lead to the risk of getting Lyme disease,” says Paige Gernes, physician assistant, Mayo Clinic Health System in St. James. “Symptoms of Lyme disease can include rash, joint pain, headache, fever and potentially more serious complications.” Ticks live in moist and humid environments, particularly wooded and grassy areas — some of the same places where you may be enjoying summer. Ticks get themselves into position by climbing up an object – called [...]

Mankato City Manager Pat Hentges says so far enforcement of the mask mandate has been going smoothly. "Mostly calls of clarifications and observations show that it actually went quite well." He says most of the businesses are adapting quite well, with some businesses even offering people masks. However, there have been some concerns. "We've had a few complaints from the hospitality business because they do some intermittent trade." Hentges says enforcement is not the goal of the mandate "Our approach has always been education first." The mandate expires on September 5.

An appeal is planned after a judge threw out a lawsuit by American Civil Liberties Union claiming officials are not properly protecting prisoners from COVID-19 at the state prison in Moose Lake. The court says A-C-L-U did *not* prove corrections officials "have been deliberately indifferent" to risks of COVID-19 -- but attorney Dan Shulman (SHOOL-man) says affidavits from 14 inmates show differently: "There was no social distancing. They haven't been testing,... not been applying proper sanitary procedures,... not requiring guards and inmates to wear masks." In a statement Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell responds his department "has taken a serious, adaptive, and [...]

QUICK FACTS What: Jeffers Petroglyphs to open today Where: 27160 County Road 2, Comfrey, MN 56019 Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, noon-8 p.m. Sunday Cost: $8 Website: www.mnhs.org/jefferspetroglyphs Beginning today, Wednesday, July 15, 2020, Jeffers Petroglyphs will once again welcome visitors to the red rock ridge. Timed entry tickets can be purchased online or through the box office at 651-259-3015. A limited number of tickets will be available for walk-ups. Tickets cost $8. Jeffers Petroglyphs is home to about 5,000 sacred rock carvings, also called petroglyphs, made by the ancestors of today’s Native Americans. Guests can take a [...]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minneapolis Police Department is changing its policy on reporting use of force incidents to require that officers document their attempts to de-escalate a situation. The mayor and police chief announced the change Tuesday, amid calls for widespread police reforms following the May 25 death of George Floyd. Mayor Jacob Frey says the change is designed to place a greater emphasis on de-escalation. Frey and Chief Medaria Arradondo have said they’re committed to deep structural change in the police department, but they oppose abolishing it. The announcement came a day before a city commission plans to take public [...]

A major gun control group with ties to Michael Bloomberg plans to spend at least $1 million to try to flip the Minnesota Senate to Democratic control and keep the Minnesota House in the hands of lawmakers who back its positions. The Everytown for Gun Safety Victory Fund has targeted the state Senate because Republicans hold just a three-vote majority there. GOP senators have blocked legislation supported by Democrats for universal background checks on gun sales and a “red flag law.” The fund and an affiliated group, Moms Demand Action, are focusing on 12 Senate districts now held by Republicans.

Food shelf use across the state has skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Colleen Moriarty, executive director of Hunger Solutions feels what's kept many Minnesota families stay afloat with their basic needs, is the extra 600 dollars on unemployment checks: "When and if that goes away it will have tremendous input into how many people are visiting food shelves around the state of Minnesota." The extra 600 dollars is set to expire on July 31st.

Another attempt by Republicans to end Governor Tim Walz's COVID emergency powers failed last night (Tues) on the second day of this second special session -- with House Democrats refusing to pass a resolution that the Republican-controlled Senate approved the day before. Prior Lake Republican Tony Albright said to the governor, consider the continued economic damage: "The repercussions will last, for some, a lifetime!   Do you really want to live with that?   Do you want that to be your legacy?" Saint Paul Democrat Dave Pinto responded Governor Walz is not the cause of economic losses -- COVID-19 is: "We [...]

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan have announced a $100 million housing assistance program to help Minnesotans hit by the coronavirus pandemic. The program, announced Tuesday, is aimed at helping prevent evictions and homelessness and to maintain housing stability for individuals and families. The investment will be funded with federal money through the Coronavirus Relief Fund, authorized by the coronavirus relief bill. Walz says he hopes the program will bring some relief to Minnesotans who are struggling to pay their bills because of the pandemic. Flanagan says the housing assistance “will help us keep individuals and families in [...]