KTOE Noon News 6-18-25
Top Stories for Noon 6-18-25:
- AARP Commits Thousands of Dollars to Strengthen Six Communities Across Minnesota
- The search for a missing Spicer man has come to a sad conclusion. 29-year-old Phillip Iverson had been missing since Sunday, June 8th, and his family confirmed Tuesday night that his body was found in a wooded area west of Spicer in Kandiyohi County. No other details have been released, but his parents, Jamie and Laurel Iverson of New London, say it appears their son took his own life. Jamie says their hearts are broken, and they thank everyone for all the support they have received during this difficult time. They say, “All the shares and notes and visits have meant so much to us.”
- Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management has issued the state’s first cannabis business license. Herb Quest, LLC, a microbusiness in Brook Park in northeastern Minnesota’s Pine County, will begin outdoor cannabis cultivation. OCM Interim Director Eric Taubel called it a major milestone, saying more than 600 other businesses are nearing final approval as Minnesota’s adult-use cannabis market takes shape. The agency also announced new opportunities for prospective business owners, including a fresh round for social equity verification, a new licensing window for cannabis testing labs, and the first chance for cannabis event organizers to apply.
- Minnesota school leaders appear to be seeking voters for more money by way of property tax increases. The state teachers union, Education Minnesota, says 45 local chapters have reached out for its support with possible Vote Yes campaigns. School districts still have until August to create funding requests to appear on ballots in the fall elections. Last year, 435 school districts sought additional taxpayer funding, and just eleven of 28 operating levies on that list won voter approval. This fall, a more intense get-out-the-vote campaign could have a bigger result.
- Rochester Police officials say they’ve been hit with a rash of overdose deaths in the past week. Authorities believe at least three of the deaths involved cocaine laced with fentanyl. The deceased individuals have not been identified. Anyone with information on the suspected overdoses should call Rochester Police or the anonymous tip line through Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
- New Data from the Minnesota Realtors Association shows home listings and pending sales rose in May 2025
