KTOE Noon News 5-30-25

Top Stories for Noon 5-30-25:

• Air quality alert issued through Monday, 6/2 for all of Minnesota
• As state lawmakers try to tackle the budget at the Capitol, Governor Tim Walz will be traveling this weekend to speak in front of Democrats. First, the governor will speak at the South Carolina Democratic Convention. From there, he will head to California for their party convention. When asked about the trip, the governor said he was confident the work on the budget would get finished so he could call a special session by the middle of next week. The budget deadline for Minnesota lawmakers is June 30th.
• Another piece of the state’s proposed 66 billion dollar budget was passed by the Commerce working group. The budget agreement creates an ombudsperson to oversee disputes between homeowners and homeowner associations. It also puts a reprieve on banning some lead keys. One thing left out of the bill is the ban on selling flavored nitrous oxide that kids use to get high. That issue was over language in the bill and will most likely be reintroduced in 2026. The commerce budget calls for decreases of 15 million dollars over the next four years.
• The Environment and Natural Resources budget bill has cleared the working group and will head into the special session looking for votes. The budget plan increases fees for things like the aquatic invasive species surcharge for watercraft, but lowers game and fishing fees for veterans. It would extend the bass fishing season year-round. DNR (Department of Natural Resources) officials will also be able to tag abandoned watercraft and hold the owners responsible. This budget bill will head into the special session looking to pass both the House and Senate before hitting the governor’s desk for his signature.

• Mankato Area Public Schools 2025 Commencement Ceremony Information

• The Rochester City Council is giving the green light to the construction of a proposed apartment building near the Mayo Clinic. The panel approved tax-increment financing for the planned CityWalk Apartments. The 340-unit,150 million dollar apartment building will be situated across the street from the site of the five billion dollar Mayo Clinic expansion. The developer says it plans to close on construction funding in November, and demolition is expected to start in December. CityWalk Apartments is scheduled to open in 2028.
• A rescue operation was initiated on Thursday evening after authorities in Lake City received reports of a vehicle that had crashed into Lake Pepin. The Lake City Police Department stated that emergency responders were dispatched to Roschen Park shortly before 5:45 p.m. Rescue crews entered the water and successfully pulled the sole occupant of the vehicle back to shore. The driver was then transported to the hospital for medical treatment. Their current condition is unknown.