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Taxpayers Helped Fund ‘Tonight Show’ Broadcast in Minnesota

The State Paid the Show $267,000 Through a Rebate Program

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota taxpayers helped foot the bill when Jimmy Fallon broadcast “The Tonight Show” from Minneapolis as part of last year’s Super Bowl festivities. Minnesota Public Radio News obtained information via public records request that shows the state paid the show $267,000 through a rebate program. The state’s Snowbate program is aimed at luring productions and…

Lottery Ticket Sold in Ramsey Worth $21 Million

The Ticket Holder has a Year to Claim the Prize

RAMSEY, Minn. (AP) – Officials say a lottery ticket sold in Anoka County is worth more than $21 million. The Minnesota Lottery says the Lotto America ticket hit the jackpot in Wednesday night’s drawing. It was sold at a Holiday convenience store in Ramsey. If the winner chooses the $21.6 million annuity jackpot, it would be paid over 29 years….

Number of Sickened 4th of July Boaters Nears 120

People Have Exhibited Symptoms of Vomitting or Diarrhea

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Officials say the number of people reportedly sickened while boating around Big Island on Lake Minnetonka over the Fourth of July has grown to nearly 120. As of 10 a.m. Wednesday, Hennepin County has returned 140 phone calls from people who reported being ill and were in that area over the holiday. Of those calls, 116 said…

Small Fire Extinguished at United Taconite Plant in Forbes

The Company is Investigating the Cause of the Fire

FORBES, Minn. – According to Cleveland Cliffs, a small fire occurred at its United Taconite Plant Wednesday afternoon. The location of the fire was in a coal mill on one of the company’s line furnaces. The company says the fire department quickly extinguished the fire and no one was injured during the incident. Officials at Cliffs say they will continue…

Update: Lincoln Park Fire Determined to be Arson

Authorities say This is an Active Investigation

DULUTH, Minn. – According to the Duluth Fire Department, investigators determined the Monday morning Lincoln Park fire to be arson. A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered from the Minnesota International Association of Arson Investigators to anyone with information that could lead to an arrest. Duluth firefighters responded to a report of a rapidly growing porch fire around…

In DWI Case, Lawyer is not a Right if Police Have Warrant

Three Justices Disagreed With the Majority

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The Minnesota Supreme Court has ruled that a suspected impaired driver does not have a limited right to an attorney before submitting to a blood test if police have a search warrant. Wednesday’s decision comes in the case of a woman arrested on suspicion of drunken driving in 2017 in Dakota County. A deputy got a warrant…

Minnesota Health Plans Seek Only Modest Premium Increases

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota’s health insurers are seeking relatively small premium increases and in some cases cuts for patients who buy coverage on the individual market. The Commerce Department says the Blue Cross HMO is seeking a 4.8% increase for next year, while HealthPartners wants a 2.1% increase and UCare plans on a 0.3% increase. Meanwhile, Medica is…

Speed Limit to Increase on Some Northeastern Minnesota Highways

New Signs Will be Installed Next Week

DULUTH, Minn. – The speed limit on some Northeastern Minnesota Highways will be increasing from 55 mph to 60 mph in the coming weeks. The new speed limit signs will be installed the week of July 15. MnDOT says once the signs are posted the new speed limit will take effect. The highways affected are: Minnesota Highway 67 – between…

Great Lakes Water Levels Continue Surge; 2 set Records

Lake Superior set a Record for the Month of June

DETROIT (AP) – Water levels in two of the Great Lakes are the highest ever recorded. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Tuesday that Lakes Erie and Ontario last month reached their highest points since record-keeping began in 1918. Also setting a new mark was Lake St. Clair, which is part of the waterway linking Lakes Huron and Erie….

Update: Duluth Fire Victim Remains in ICU

Authorities say This is an Active Investigation

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Fire Department has released new information regarding the structure fire that happened Monday morning at 2213 West 4th Street. Officials say the home was occupied at the time of the fire by an adult male, adult female, juvenile female, and four dogs. The adult male and juvenile female exited the home safely through the back…

Report: Opioid Deaths Dropped in Minnesota in 2018

The Data is Preliminary

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota saw a big drop in drug overdose deaths in 2018. Preliminary statewide data released Tuesday shows that overdose deaths dropped 17 percent, from 733 in 2017 to 607 in 2018. Officials say the numbers are promising, but that overdose deaths remain at historic highs and more work needs to be done to prevent and…