KTOE Noon News 5-15-25

Top Stories for Noon 5-15-25:

• Minnesota State leaders have agreed to a bipartisan state budget framework with only a few days left in the legislative session. This comes after several weeks of negotiations in the House and Senate. The deal will allow lawmakers to move forward with a collaborative plan on key budget items. The legislature is set to adjourn by Monday, May 19th, so lawmakers may need to hold a special session to finalize the budget.
• Crews continue to battle three massive wildfires burning in northeastern Minnesota. More people have been ordered to evacuate as the wildfires, north of Duluth, continue to spread with zero-percent containment. Officials say the Camp House Fire near Brimson, the Jenkins Creek Fire near Fairbanks, and the Munger Shaw Fire near Cotton have burned a combined 37-thousand acres and destroyed nearly 150 structures. The region is still experiencing critical fire weather conditions, although rain could bring provide some relief for fire crews today.

• United Way Hosts 2025 Top Business & Community Awards on May 21st

• Applications now open for CenterPoint Energy’s Community Safety Grants

• New MN Realtors Data shows new listings, pending sales, inventory and prices all rose again in April
• Minnesota’s unemployment rate increased one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.2% in April. The state shed 1,300 jobs, effectively flat over the month. Mass layoff announcements from the federal government or other employers are not reflected in this data because a job decline will not appear until employees are actually off payroll. Over the year, Minnesota has added 35,480 payroll jobs. The private sector gained 26,477 jobs.
• As Minnesota experiences an active spring wildfire season, the state Department of Commerce urges homeowners and renters to protect their property from potential wildfire damage proactively. Assistant Commissioner Jacqueline Olson says this includes reviewing your insurance coverage and learning what your homeowners or renters policy does and doesn’t cover. Olson also encourages you to build a home inventory. Take photos of each room in your home, including storage spaces like the attic, shed, and garage. Write a brief description of each item, noting the make, model, price, and other details that might help when filing a claim.