Minnesota

Blue Cross Blue Shield Scrambling to Improve Cybersecurity

MINNEAPOLIS – Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota is scrambling to improve its cybersecurity after an internal whistle blower raised concerns that the state’s largest health insurer has neglected thousands of important updates to its computer system. The company’s top cybersecurity executive, Amy Ecklund, says the insurer has been working diligently in recent weeks to reduce its vulnerability for a…

Snowmobiler Killed in Collision With Pickup Truck

MONTGOMERY, Minn. (AP) – Sheriff’s officials say a snowmobiler has died in a collision with a pickup truck in Le Sueur County. Deputies say the crash happened in Montgomery Township Saturday afternoon. The victim is identified as 55-year-old Larry Gene Haynes, of Montgomery. The sheriff’s office says it appears Haynes was unable to stop before crossing a road and collided…

Union Representing St. Louis County Snow Plow Drivers Authorizes Potential Strike

VIRGINIA, Minn. — The Teamsters Local 320 union, which represents St. Louis County Public Works employees, voted in favor of authorizing a strike if contract negotiations fail with the county by the end of the year. The vote passed 112 to 1 Sunday morning. A potential strike would involve 180 St. Louis county employees, which includes snow plow operators, mechanics,…

Governor to Hire Outside Experts to Study Troubled Agency

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Gov Tim Walz says his administration will hire outside experts to make recommendations on whether to restructure the state’s troubled Department of Human Services. They’re engaging the company Public Sector Consultants to determine the scope for a third-party outside review of the agency by prospective consultants. That review will include specific recommendations for the future…

Report: Flu Season in Minnesota Kicking Off With Influenza B

B Strains Have Historically Spread Faster Among Children

MINNEAPOLIS – Flu season in Minnesota is off to an unusual start, with the B strain of influenza causing most of the lab-confirmed cases instead of the usual A strain. The Star Tribune reports that the Minnesota Department of Health released data Thursday showing that B strains made up about 80% of the positive flu specimens obtained in clinics and…

U of Minn Regents OK New Provost Contract of $500K-Plus

MINNEAPOLIS – Regents at the University of Minnesota has approved a salary of more than a half-million dollars for a new provost. The board voted 8-4 Thursday to approve Rachel Croson’s contract as the university’s next executive vice president and provost. Croson is currently dean of Michigan State University’s College of Social Science. She is the first major hire by…

Minnesota Municipal Liquor Stores See Strong Profits From Sunday Sales

ST. ANTHONY VILLAGE, Minn. (FOX 9) – After the first full year of Sunday liquor sales in Minnesota, the results are in. Wednesday, the Minnesota State Auditor released its annual Municipal Liquor Store report for 2018. The combined net profit of all municipal liquor operations totaled $29 million in 2018, a 25 percent increase compared to 2017. 2018 was the…

Recording Devices Found in Downtown Minneapolis Hotel Rooms

MINNEAPOLIS – Police are investigating after recording devices were found in guest rooms at the Hyatt Regency hotel in downtown Minneapolis. Police spokesman John Elder says it’s not immediately known if the devices recorded any guests, but police are still gathering data. When asked how many rooms were involved he said “not many.” Elder says it doesn’t appear that anyone…

Victim Identified in Cass County Fatal Crash

BENA, Minn. – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says they have identified the male victim in Saturday’s fatal crash on just south of Bena. According to reports, deputies were dispatched to County Road 8 a mile south of Bena on reports of a vehicle crash. Upon arrival authorities found a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado that had rolled in a ditch and…

14th Annual Storefront Window and Lighting Contest Winners Announced

DULUTH, Minn. – The Greater Downtown Council announced the 14th Annual Storefront Window and Lighting Display contest winners Wednesday morning at their Quarterly Breakfast Event. This year, 17 businesses participated in the annual contest which kicked off last month. This year’s winners are: Lighting: St. Louis County Depot Most Original Window Display (commercial): CSL Plasma Most Original Window Display (retail):…

Gloria Dei Warming Center Activation: December 10 – 11

DULUTH, Minn. – The Gloria Dei Warming Center will be activated Tuesday and Wednesday night due to overnight temperatures reaching below 10 degrees. CHUM Executive Director Lee Stuart said nine people spent the night Monday night which was the center’s first night of operation. The Gloria Dei Center will be open from 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday and…

City of Duluth Invites the Public to Inauguration of Mayor, Councilors

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth has invited the public to the official inauguration of re-elected Mayor Emily Larson and the newly elected City Councilors Gary Anderson, Arik Forsman, Janet Kennedy, Derek Medved, and Roz Randorf. The inauguration will take place on January 6 and will be held at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center. Outgoing City Councilors Noah…

Salad Kits Sicken Five Minnesotans, Linked to E. Coli Outbreak

(photo courtesy: CDC) ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Minnesota Department of Health officials confirm five Minnesotans are among those who have fallen ill due to an E. coli outbreak linked to Fresh Express Sunflower Crisp Chopped Salad Kits. In total, health official have confirmed nine cases nationwide, according to the MDH and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition…

Minnesota On Track to Meet Deadlines for Replacing MNLARS

(courtesy: Fox 9) ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota’s legislative auditor says the state is on track to meet the project implementation deadlines for replacing the state’s troubled driver and vehicle registration system known as MNLARS. However, the auditor’s report found some minor risks to completing the project on time and on budget, and says managers should address them soon….

Duluth to Consider Banning Conversion Therapy

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) – Duluth is the latest city to consider banning conversion therapy aimed at changing a person’s sexual orientation. City Council member Gary Anderson said at a meeting Monday night that he introduced the measure because of a lack of action by the state legislature. A proposed statewide conversion therapy ban failed in the Legislature earlier this year….