MINNESOTA STATE FAIR-GUNS

Judge promises quick ruling on guns at Minnesota State Fair

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A judge has promised a quick ruling on whether people with permits to carry firearms can bring their guns into the Minnesota State Fair, which opens in one week. The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus asked Judge Laura Nelson to issue a temporary injunction prohibiting the fair and the Ramsey County Sherriff’s Office from enforcing the fair’s ban on bringing guns onto the fairgrounds. The judge said she'll rule before the fair begins next Thursday. The gun owners argue that the ban violates state law and the Second Amendment. But the fair argues it has the authority to protect the safety of visitors.

HIT-RUN-ROBBERY

Motorcyclist knocked out in hit-and-run crash, then robbed

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Twin Cities motorcyclist suffered a broken leg when he crashed into a motorist who fled from the scene, then was robbed after he was knocked unconscious. Evan Wise captured the crash on his helmet camera which shows a car pull out in front of him in an apparent attempt to make a U-turn in Minneapolis last Sunday. His helmet camera flew off, but kept recording as the driver fled and a number of people gathered around. Unfortunately, Wise later learned one of the people that surrounded him stole money from his wallet. Wise says the video doesn't clearly show who took the money.

WILDFIRES-MINNESOTA

Forest Service says lightning caused Minnesota wildfire

ISABELLA, Minn. (AP) — A wildfire in the Superior National Forest of northeastern Minnesota that crews have been fighting since the weekend has grown to 6 1/4 square miles. The Forest Service says lightning caused the fire near Greenwood Lake, about 25 miles southwest of Isabella, which was first spotted Sunday. It grew on its western flank from 5 square miles to 6 1/4 by Wednesday evening, after what officials described as a “very active” afternoon. But they added in an update posted Thursday morning that there was no significant change overnight. Thursday’s forecast called for continued hot, dry weather, with thunderstorms predicted for Friday night and Saturday.

DROUGHT-MINNESOTA

State imposes water restrictions as drought worsens

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The drought in Minnesota continues to get worse, exposing rocks, riverbeds and islands in the St. Croix and Minnesota river drying up entire channels in the mighty Mississippi. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has imposed water restrictions for much of the state. Utilities are to limit water use to no more than 25% above January levels. The restrictions apply to about 300 communities within three major watersheds which include the Mississippi River Headwaters and the Rainy River and Red River. That covers the Twin Cities, nearly all of central Minnesota and much of northern Minnesota.

BANKERS SURVEY

Some rural bankers worried drought will threaten operations

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new monthly survey of bankers in rural parts of 10 Plains and Western states suggests continued economic growth in the region, but some say worsening drought could threaten their banks. The overall Rural Mainstreet economic index dropped slightly in August to 65.3 from July’s 65.6. Any score above 50 suggests growth. The survey shows nearly 16% of bankers reported that continuing drought conditions are the greatest threat to banking operations over the next year, while more than 40% of bank CEOs see low farm loan demand as their bank’s greatest challenge over the next year. Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.

MINNESOTA REPUBLICANS

Four former top Minnesota GOP staffers seek leader's ouster

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Four former top staffers from the Republican Party of Minnesota have accused embattled Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan of running a “morally bankrupt” operation that’s rife with verbal abuse, intimidation and sexual harassment. All four formerly served as executive director of the state party organization under Carnahan. They issued an open letter calling on her to resign or be removed when the state party’s Executive Committee meets Thursday night. Carnahan has been under fire over the indictment of a major donor and a college GOP chapter leader on sex-trafficking charges, which reopened old disputes and spawned new ones over Carnahan's leadership.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MINNESOTA

Minnesota State Fair strongly urges masks and vaccinations

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota State Fair officials are strongly urging fairgoers to mask up both inside and outside. But they've stopped short of imposing any mandates to fight the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus at the Great Minnesota Get- Together. Fair officials issued updated health guidance urging masks indoors for both vaccinated and unvaccinated people; outdoors in crowded settings, especially for the unvaccinated; and at some booths where vendors will require everyone inside to wear a mask. They acknowledge that the new guidance could put a dent in attendance. The Minnesota State Fair opens next Thursday, Aug. 26, and runs through Labor Day.

DRINKING WATER-MINNESOTA

Minnesota issues plan to treat water marred by 3M chemicals

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota pollution control and natural resources officials have released a $700 million plan to improve the drinking water for 14 Twin Cities communities whose groundwater was contaminated due to decades-long chemical disposal by 3M Co. The long-term plan aims to build or improve six water treatment plants and treat 33 municipal wells. It will also connect nearly 300 homes to municipal water systems and provide home filtration systems to residents with private wells. The state of Minnesota settled with 3M in 2018 for $850 million for damages to the state’s natural resources.

News from © The Associated Press, 2021