KTOE Noon News 3-4-25
Top Stories for Noon 3-4-25
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Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation awards $248,275 to support the success of young children
- March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month. Minnesota Alliance for Problem Gambling (MNAPG) Executive Director Susan Tucker says this year’s theme is “Seeking Understanding,” focusing on how gambling is “a serious but often misunderstood mental health condition.” Tucker says 250,000 adults and 6,000 high school students in Minnesota indicate problem gambling up to addiction levels.
- The Minnesota Department of Health has begun screening newborns for two additional disorders, Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and guanidinoacetate(Gwah-id-ah-no-asa-tate) methyltransferase(methyl-trans-fer-ase) (GAMT) deficiency. DMD is a disorder that causes muscle breakdown, and GAMT deficiency is a lifelong metabolic disorder causing a toxic buildup that, if left untreated, results in learning and behavioral challenges as well as serious brain and muscle problems.
- A significant snowfall is forecasted for the Twin Cities. The National Weather Service reports a winter storm will occur tonight through Wednesday afternoon. This storm will bring rain, gusty winds, snow, and whiteouts. The metro area is anticipated to receive four to seven inches of snowfall. A Blizzard Warning has been issued for south-central and southeastern Minnesota. This alert will begin at 9 PM and remain effective until 3 PM tomorrow. Travel conditions could be challenging.
- A Minnesota military vet will be a special guest of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar tonight during President Trump’s speech to Congress. Chris Wicker was recently fired from his job with the Small Business Administration as part of DOGE cuts. The Air Force vet’s trip to the nation’s capital is part of a campaign led by Democratic lawmakers to spotlight the difficulty of fired federal workers. Meanwhile, Senator Tina Smith’s guest will be a fired park ranger from Voyageurs National Park.
