KTOE Noon News 5-23-25
Top Stories for Noon 5-23-25:
- Mankato Area Public Schools Announces Free Summer Meals Program for Children and Teens
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Mankato Area Veterans Memorial Board Memorial Day 2025 Schedule
- The Jenkins Creek Fire is 47% contained as of today (FRI), compared to only 32% yesterday. The Eastern Area Incident Management Team reports crews are making good progress with the nearly 16,800-acre fire, so much so that Skibo residents can now return to their homes. One of three main wildfires affecting the northern part of the state this month, the Jenkins Creek fire began in Faribault 11 days ago on May 12th. The cause of the fire is still unknown.
- A new study details the economic impact of avian metapneumovirus on Minnesota’s turkey industry. Minnesota Turkey Growers Association Executive Director Ashley Kohls says the virus killed over 2.2 million turkeys last spring to this spring, translating to an estimated $112 million in lost sales. Kohls says the state-specific study shows the number of turkeys lost is also double the number of birds lost to highly pathogenic avian flu.
- Legislative leaders hope the work to finalize the budget bills can get done today (FRI) before the holiday weekend. With most working groups operating behind closed doors, DFL Senator Steve Cwodzinski (Swe-zin-skee) of Eden Prairie says it is and isn’t like sausage making, “You shouldn’t watch it being made. (But) It’s like a wedding cake, or a skyscraper, or a symphony, and every step of the way it’s a thing to behold.” If lawmakers do not finalize the budget bills by the end of today, leaders say they’ll be working this weekend. There’s hope a special session can be called sometime next week.
