KTOE Noon News 10-22-25

Top Stories for Noon 10-22-25:

• Owatonna City Officials have responded to Mayo Clinic decision to end birth services at Owatonna Hospital
• House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Democrat Angie Craig is speaking out after the partial reopening of Farm Service Agency offices. The offices had been closed for 21 days due to the government shutdown. Craig, who represents Minnesota’s 2nd District, says she’s relieved the administration is finally taking steps to support America’s farmers. But she questions the delay, saying farmers were left in limbo for three weeks. Craig is now urging the administration to take further action, calling on officials to use the SNAP contingency fund to ensure benefits are available for seniors, children, and veterans in November.
• Minnesota is once again setting the standard for smart government. Governor Tim Walz says the state earned platinum certification for data-driven decision making, the highest honor from Results for America. Only three states received the top rating this year, and Minnesota is the only one to earn it every year since the standard began in 2016. Walz says the state uses data to guide investments, from reducing child poverty and crime to boosting graduation rates. He points to programs like free school meals, paid family leave, and middle-class tax cuts as examples of evidence-based policy. Results for America says Minnesota continues to lead the way in delivering measurable results.
• The Minnesota Supreme Court has sent a transgender athlete’s case back to a lower court to decide if USA Powerlifting had a valid reason for excluding 37-year-old JayCee Cooper from the women’s division. The court found the policy discriminatory under state law but said a “legitimate business purpose” defense may apply. Cooper’s attorney argued the policy unfairly targets all transgender women, while USA Powerlifting’s lawyer claimed strength advantages justify the exclusion. The case has drawn national attention and could influence similar legal battles.
• Cannabis dispensaries across Minnesota are facing significant supply chain challenges, leaving many struggling to keep products on their shelves. Although several businesses have received approval to operate, a lack of available cannabis is preventing them from meeting customer demand. Recreational marijuana was legalized in Minnesota more than two years ago, but the state’s cultivation capacity has not kept pace with the growing number of dispensaries. As a result, supply shortages are impacting both new businesses and established operations. Minnesota has also entered into tribal compacts with three Native American tribes, allowing tribal dispensaries to operate both on and off reservations. However, these dispensaries are also experiencing difficulties sourcing enough cannabis to serve their communities.