KTOE Noon News 5-29-25

Top Stories for Noon 5-29-25:

• City of Mankato and MAPO Hosting Online Public Meeting for Balcerzak Drive Corridor Study Tonight

• Highway 5 detour in Arlington begins June 9 for storm sewer improvements

• Olmsted County Deputies Searching for Homeless Man who Threatened Marian Township Woman with a Gun
• Two men from Fairmont in southern Minnesota are hospitalized after their motorcycles collided Wednesday morning near Clear Lake, Iowa. The State Patrol says a cycle driven by 81-year-old David Landsteiner was attempting to stop at a red light on Highway 18 when it was struck by a cycle driven by 80-year-old Gerald Bohlsen. Landsteiner and Bohlsen were both thrown from their bikes. A passenger on Landsteiner’s cycle was not injured. Troopers say both drivers were taken to a hospital with severe injuries.
• Governor Tim Walz is set to meet with legislative leaders this afternoon (Thurs) as budget negotiations slow at the State Capitol. Layoff notices will begin going out to state workers if the $66 million state budget isn’t passed by Sunday, June 1st. House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman told Capitol reporters she expects a special session sometime next week. The budget must be passed by June 30th to avoid a state government shutdown.
• The end of the school year is here for most colleges and universities, and that means summer internship opportunities. Austin-based Hormel Foods has 95 interns from 50 schools across the country joining them. Director of Talent Acquisition Amy Sheehan says the program is carefully designed to provide students with an immersive experience and the opportunity to explore a wide range of career paths. More than 70% of the paid interns become full-time team members with Hormel.
• The Council on LGBTQ+ Minnesotans (MNQT) is extending the deadline on its first big initiative—a statewide community needs assessment—to June 30th to gather more data on what the queer community needs. The 15-30 minute long survey is available to any Minnesotan 18 years or older who identifies as LGBTQ+. Officials say it’s designed to reflect people’s real experiences about healthcare, housing, safety, and community support. The MNQT Council will use the data to advocate for community needs in the next legislative session. Those interested can take the online survey at mnqt.info/survey.
• Cloquet Police are searching for a missing couple. Family and friends haven’t heard from 63-year-old Jane Korpela and 64-year-old Daniel Latterell since Sunday. Both are vulnerable adults, and there’s concern for their mental health and safety. Korpela and Latterell are known to be driving a gray 2010 Ford Escape with Minnesota license plate JEP512. Korpela is described as white, 5 feet 3 inches tall, 242 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes. Latterell is described as 5 feet 9 inches tall, 200 pounds, with hazel eyes.