MPR News Story by Dana Ferguson:, “Gov. Tim Walz called on Tuesday for legislators to support more public safety spending, and harsher sentences for criminals. The shooting occurred just outside the Minnesota State Fair’s Mighty Midway entry. This happened two days after another victim was shot at that entrance. Walz stated Monday night that the victim of the shooting was released from the hospital after sustaining minor injuries. Police have also identified a suspect in the incident, which occurred near Como Avenue and Snelling avenues. Walz stated that Monday night’s victim was discharged from the hospital with minor injuries and that police have a suspect in the shooting, which took place near Como and Snelling avenues just outside of the fairgrounds.
Stribbers Shannon Prather and Briana Bierschbach reported, “Minnesota State Fair attendance rebounded this year to 1.8million with many fairgoers returning to the event after missing last year’s due to COVID-19. Although this year’s 12-day celebration was not able to beat the 2019 attendance record of 2.1million, it did surpass the 2021 attendance of 1.3 million. It is not clear if emerging safety concerns, including two Labor Day weekend incidents which drew sharp rebuke by Gov. Tim Walz — could have affected attendance. The Labor Day weekend is the most popular, drawing large crowds. 249,000 were present on Saturday. On Sunday, the crowds were slightly smaller at 222,000. However, approximately 157,000 people were present at the fairgrounds for Labor Day. According to a news release, this year’s fair was the fifth most attended. “The attendance figures for 2016-2019 were higher than in 2016.
KMSP TV Theo Keith said: “Think about next year’s Minnesota State Fair if Minnesota snags a date in 2024 presidential primary calendar. Candidates would crisscross fairgrounds to reach tens or thousands of voters. It’s not yet a reality. In order to not upset states that they haven’t chosen, the Democratic National Committee delayed making a final decision about its primary calendar until after November elections. The delay in Minnesota gives DFL Chairman Ken Martin and his GOP counterpart David Hann more time to switch. Minnesota law allows the state’s primary date to be changed if the two party chairs agree. However, the Republican National Committee’s 2024 calendar has been set.
According to a WCCO TV story, states that a married couple from Minnesota was among the 10 victims of the float plane crash on Sunday. They are also among the nine people still missing and presumed dead. Luke Ludwig, 42 and Rebecca Ludwig, 42 were both killed in the Puget Sound plane crash that occurred on Sunday, northwest of Seattle. The couple, who had children, lived in Excelsior. Their kids are safe with their other family members.
Callan Gray, KSTP-TV says that Minnesota’s tourism industry saw growth this summer. A survey of 324 tourism and hospitality businesses across the state was done in mid-August. 81% of respondents indicated that they are in a growing, stable, but positive financial situation. The highest growth was seen in the Twin Cities during the summer 2022, according to the survey. Sixty-four per cent of metro businesses surveyed reported an increase of revenue over the summer 2021, and 42% reported higher revenues than the summer 2019.
In the Strib Jana Hollingsworth wrote that the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Bulldog mascot got a major overhaul — and fans are giddy. Champ, the beloved furry dog that frequents UMD athletic events, was given a new look last Wednesday on social media and at a football match. The goal was to make Champ, the grey mascot, more similar to the school’s yellow bulldog logo. Reactions from students, alumni and others were swift but not pleasant. One tweet said, “Absolutely ugly.” UMD received the message. Lynne Williams, UMD spokeswoman, said that they will listen to their fan base. “It was a reminder that we need to engage the community in the process and have them be part of it,” Lynne Williams, a spokeswoman for UMD said.
Justine Jones, of Eater.com says that “Summer was jam-packed with exciting new restaurants in Minnesota — and fall 2022 promises more to look forward too.” Look out for vegan burgers at Northeast, banh mi at the 38th Street snack shack in South Minneapolis, hot dishes specials at East Grand forks, and pork belly ssam along Nicollet Avenue. These are the best restaurant openings for fall 2022. D’s Banh Mi opening: Mid-October/November. Opening of D’s Banh Mi: Mid-October or November. The shop’s 280-square foot space was once home to Lil’ Jam Creamery’s summer branch. Racket reports the building dates back to 1951. D’s move in means a banh mi menu featuring plenty of vegan options such as deep-fried curry, salt-and pepper tofu and mock duck. There are also gluten-free options for the Vietnamese-French baguettes. You’ll also find sticky rice and noodle dishes. … .”
John Breech writes for CBS Sports . “Ladies, gentlemen, welcome season 10 of my NFL picks. Aaron Rodgers has revealed the secrets to being a top-notch quarterback in the NFL. All you need to do is go to South America and have a psychedelic moment. Rodgers accomplished this in the offseason. As far as I know, Rodgers is now the only NFL quarterback to have achieved omnipresent, supergalactic oneness. Rodgers claims it works because he has won two consecutive MVPs. This would also explain why Kirk Cousins never won an MVP. Even though Cousins did not do any psychedelics during the offseason, I believe he will be a good quarterback this year. Cousins finally has a coach who doesn’t hate his guts. This seems like a positive move for him. Cousins will also be responsible for a highly-powered offense with Justin Jefferson and Dalvin cook. While I am picking the Packers to reach the Super Bowl from the NFC this season, I’m not picking them to win it. This is because I believe they will need to adjust to life without Davante Adam for a few weeks. The pickVikings 26-24 over Packers
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