KTOE Noon News 10-1-25
Top Stories for Noon 10-1-25:
- Republicans and Democrats are blaming each other for the federal government shutdown after the U-S Senate failed to pass a continuing resolution. Senator Amy Klobuchar said they want to restore health insurance tax credits and major cuts to Medicaid, “prevent millions of Americans from losing their health care, and stand up for our constituents.” Republican Congressman Brad Finstad said in a statement, “Democrats are more focused on their own political gamesmanship and spending by the trillions than doing right by the American people.” The Affordable Care Act tax credits expire at the end of the year under the Trump budget.
- A new report from Protect Minnesota and the Violence Policy Center offers a new look at gun violence in Minnesota after analyzing six years of data. The numbers are from 2018 through 2023. The study finds that while Minnesota has the lowest overall firearm death rate among Great Lakes states, gun violence continues to devastate communities, including Black Minnesotans and those living in rural communities. During the six years, more than three thousand Minnesotans lost their lives to firearms, with suicides the leading cause. The report also shows firearm deaths spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic, but homicide rates have dropped slightly since 2021.
- Governor Tim Walz has proclaimed October as Cybersecurity Month in Minnesota. This aligns with the national observance to highlight the importance of cybersecurity education and awareness for all Minnesotans. During the month, Minnesota I-T Services will share cybersecurity tips on social media to help Minnesotans spot scams and better protect their personal information, and launch an internal campaign to educate state employees on best practices for cybersecurity. Minnesota I-T Services has 2,800 employees to keep Minnesota’s information and data safe from cyber attacks.
- Parts of the state could experience record warmth this weekend. National Weather Service (NWS) Meteorologist Joe Calderone says it will be unusually warm for October, particularly in southern Minnesota on Friday and Saturday. The record high for October 3rd is 90 degrees in the Twin Cities, 88 in St. Cloud, 93 in Rochester, 84 in International Falls, and 82 degrees in Duluth.
- The City of Mankato is beginning the process of redesigning its website and is asking the community to share their input. The goal is to create a website that’s easy to navigate, user-friendly, and tailored to the needs of all. The City wants to ensure that the website uses smart design and functionality concepts with a positive user experience being the priority. “We’ve heard from residents that finding information on our current site can sometimes be a challenge,” said Paul David, Director of Engagement and Communications. “This survey is an opportunity for the community to tell us what works well, what could be improved, and what they’d like to see in a new design. Together, we can build a website that better serves everyone.”Take the Survey
The website survey will remain open through Wednesday, October 15. All residents and those who use the City’s website are encouraged to participate.
