KTOE Noon News 6-13-25

Top Stories for Noon 6-13-25:

• U.S. Representative Angie Craig has joined a group of lawmakers to re-introduce a bill to strengthen domestic medication supply chains and reduce our dependence on China for critical medications. The RAPID (Rolling Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient and Drug Reserve) Act would give incentives to American producers to increase manufacturing and reduce supply chain challenges. Craig says right now, 80 percent of manufacturing facilities producing these medicines are outside the U.S. The bill was also introduced in the Senate.
• Several University of Minnesota students aren’t too happy with a proposed budget that calls for significant tuition increases. President Rebecca Cuningham announced yesterday that the university had to make some tough financial decisions brought on by federal research funding cuts. The planned hike would be six-point-five percent and seven-point-five percent for out-of-state students. The spending plan also includes reductions to academic programs. The Board of Regents is scheduled to vote on the budget proposal on June 18th.
• Thousands of peaceful protests planned across the United States as part of “No Kings Day” Movement, including one in Mankato
• A LeRoy woman who was injured by a part that fell off a passing semi last spring is dead. The incident happened on April 25th on Highway 63 near Racine. The Minnesota State Patrol says Cassandra Faulhaber was heading south when an object on a passing truck went through her windshield and struck her. She died early this week at a Rochester hospital. Authorities say they have found the truck and its driver. The case will be sent to the Mower County attorney for review for possible charges.
• Locally, the biggest impact is in Mankato, where $67 million has been allocated to build a new Bureau of Criminal Apprehension regional headquarters and crime lab. The facility, planned next to the Blue Earth County Justice Center, is expected to improve evidence processing and speed up investigations across southern Minnesota. Construction could begin as early as this fall. Minnesota State University, Mankato may also benefit from $60 million set aside for general asset preservation within the Minnesota State college system, though no specific campus projects were named. Statewide, other investments include funding for roads, bridges, water infrastructure, and natural resource preservation.

• Authorities searching for 14-year-old girl believed to be a runaway