Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison entered into a lawsuit with 22 other attorneys general over the Trump administration's move to suspend Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits amid the government shutdown. According to a statement from Ellison's office on Tuesday, roughly 440,000 Minnesotans per month rely on the government assistance program for food. The group of lawmakers is also seeking a temporary restraining order to block the USDA from failing to provide SNAP funding while the lawsuit is litigated. In his statement, Ellsion argued the USDA has the authority to allocate billions of dollars appropriated by Congress to the effort, a claim the agency apparently denies. States that have also signed onto the lawsuit include: Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawai‘i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin. The Governors of Kansas, Kentucky and Pennsylvania have also joined. Ellison's office said about 42 million Americans total utilize SNAP.

 A St. Cloud man is charged with a pair of felonies after a road rage incident. St. Cloud Police were dispatched to the intersection of 12th Street North and 36th Avenue North before 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 18th. The victim said he was driving south on Highway 15 and entered the left turn lane at 12th Street North. According to the criminal complaint, 60-year-old Craig Duncan was in the other turn lane. The victim said when they turned onto 12th Street, Duncan allegedly got in front of his car, brake checked him, and swerved back and forth and not allowing the man to pass. Court records show Duncan allegedly pulled over, exited his vehicle, and started swinging what the victim described as an axe and calling him derogatory names. The victim said he pulled over and started recording the situation, but never left his car. Police arrived and spoke with Duncan, who officers say was angry during the conversation. Duncan allegedly denied having an axe but said he had an object used to dispatch deer and other road kill so they don't suffer. Duncan is charged with 2nd-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and felony threats of violence. He's due in court on November 20th.

St. Cloud Metro Bus Driver David Peacock received the Minnesota Bus Operator of the Year Award at the 2025 Minnesota Public Transit Association Conference. The prestigious nod was given to the 24-year veteran of Metro Bus’s Dial-a-Ride service earlier this month. The honor recognizes transit professionals who demonstrate exceptional performance across multiple areas, including attendance, safety, customer service, leadership and organizational commitment. Peacock has spent his entire career providing paratransit services for qualified individuals with disabilities or mobility challenges. His dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed by those he serves and works alongside. Peacock’s abilities extend to the competitive arena of bus roadeos-events that test operators’ precision driving and customer service skills, including critical safety procedures like wheelchair securement. His track record speaks for itself. He has more than 20 top-three finishes at Metro Bus’s annual local roadeo held each May. He has competed 17 times at the state level, claiming first place six times. His success has taken him to the national stage as well. At the Community Transportation Association of America Bus Roadeo, Peacock earned an impressive third-place finish in 2022.

Tuesday was National First Responders Day. The Morrison County Sheriff's Office would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the brave men and women who serve as first responders. Your dedication, courage, and selfless service keeps our communities safe. Whether you’re in law enforcement, fire, EMS, dispatch, or emergency management-today we honor you. A message from Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen and also a thank you to our first responders from Little Falls Radio. 

Sister Julien of the Franciscan Sisters reported that the convent received 53 units of blood and our goal was 55 units but they had to turn away 12 who were unable to give. Thanks to everyone who came to donate and if anyone could not get in Monday or Tuesday there were still some openings Wednesday the final day of the blood drive 8:30am-2:30pm call Sister Julien 320-632-0663 for an appointment.