In a wildfire-status virtual meeting Friday that included governors from six other states, Governor Tim Walz told President Biden: "Our Canadian neighbors are fighting wildfires, keeping them out of Minnesota, that threaten one of the last pristine places on the planet, the Boundary Waters -- and without them and without international cooperation, we would not get this done." The president responded: "I have been in contact with (Prime Minister Justin) Trudeau in Canada, worrying about this from both sides of the border, and so we are coordinating as best we can." The governor also told the president about the drought situation [...]

A State House committee dismissed a complaint against Representative John Thompson after an agreement was reached between Thompson and Representative Eric Lucero. Thompson called Lucero a "racist" on the House floor in June... "Representative John Thompson has agreed to voluntarily apologize to Representative Eric Lucero and to the body on the floor, for comments made on the House floor during the video clips presented by Representative Lucero this will happen when the House of Representatives next reconvenes." Committee Chair Representative Jim Davnie. Thompson remains under scrutiny after several high-profile Democrats, including Governor Tim Walz called for his resignation as a result [...]

Mark Lindquist of Moorhead is well-known as a motivational speaker who performs the National Anthem at major sporting events nationwide. Earlier this month, he announced his plan to seek the Democratic nomination for Congress in Minnesota's 7th District. Thursday afternoon, in a video he posted to Facebook, Lindquist opened up about his struggle with mental health issues. Lindquist said he checked himself into the Fargo Veterans Administration Mental Health Clinic last week and he was admitted to the VA Hospital for two days. He said he's getting enrolled in therapy and mental health specialists are helping him work on a mental [...]

The federal COVID moratorium on evictions ended but state officials say it does *not* affect Minnesotans because of the "off-ramp" the legislature approved.  Minnesota Housing Commissioner Jennifer Ho says "a lot" of federal assistance money is available for those who haven't been keeping up on their rent: "If you are behind on your rent, you should find out if you're eligible and, if you're eligible, you should apply.  If you refuse to apply, you can be evicted." ...starting September 12th.  Anyone who has applied and is eligible for rental assistance cannot be evicted while their application is being processed.  Commissioner Ho [...]

It appears the Senate is moving ahead with a bipartisan infrastructure plan. Earlier this week, senators voted 67-to-32 to advance the bill, with 17 Republicans joining all 50 Democrats. U-S Senator Tina Smith says a broad infrastructure plan is overdue... "Finally under the leadership of President Biden and Democrats and Republicans in the Senate we're going to move this forward, and I'm optimistic we'll get this done in the coming weeks. We're going to stay here in Washington until it's done in the Senate." The $1 trillion bill would invest in road, bridge, water and broadband improvements throughout the country.

The 2021 Minnesota State Fair is set to kick off in just under a month. The fair was called off last year because of the pandemic, and it may look a bit different this year as well. The fair's Danielle Dullinger says for the latest updates... "Well everything can always be found at our website mnstatefair.org that is going to be home base to learn about everything this year happening at the fair." Advance discount tickets are also available through the website. The first day of the fair is set for August 26th.

As COVID cases again increase in Minnesota, a group of House Republicans say they're ready to resume legal action if Governor Tim Walz reinstates his emergency powers.  The Minnesota Supreme Court late last month refused to hear a case brought by a group of small business owners, but Republican Representative Jeremy Munson from Lake Crystal says: "If there is another emergency declaration issued and the governor starts writing law unilaterally again, we are prepared to file another lawsuit against the governor, but instead of it taking 16 or 18 months to reach the (Minnesota) Supreme Court, we will again ask the [...]

(Minneapolis, MN)  --  Front-line workers at Target will get another bonus.  The Minneapolis-based retailer announced yesterday full and part-time employees at stores, distribution centers, and those who support customer contact centers will get 200 dollars.  The bonuses will be paid next month.  It will be the sixth bonus handed out to workers during the pandemic.

A Crystal woman is going to prison after pleading guilty to shooting a gun at her birthday party last year in St. Paul and accidentally killing an attendee.  Markeia Carlvin was sentenced to three-and-a-half years behind bars for the August 2019 incident.  The 21-year-old defendant will serve two years because of credit for time served in jail after her arrest.

(Red Lake, MN)  --  The funeral for a Red Lake police officer who was killed in the line of duty will be held Monday afternoon.  Officer Ryan Bialke of Buffalo was killed early this week as he and other officers tried to serve a warrant in Redby.  The alleged shooter, Davide Donnell Junior, is charged with second-degree murder and four counts of assault with a deadly weapon.