KTOE Noon News 7-15-25

Top Stories for Noon 7-15-25: 

• Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office Fielding More Calls Regarding Phone Scams
• VINE Shares Update on Renovation Schedule
• Mankato West VEX Robotics Team Visiting Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota on Thursday

• Mankato Woman Hospitalized in Motorcycle Crash Sunday in Brown County

• Mankato Area Public Schools Updates Facility Rental Fee Structure for 2025–2026

• Bipartisan legislation introduced by D-F-L Congresswoman Angie Craig would expand mental health resources in rural Minnesota. The Farmers First Act, would reauthorize the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network and improve access to care through rural clinics and hospitals. Craig says farmers face unique stressors and deserve better access to mental health support. The bill is backed by major groups including the National Farmers Union, American Farm Bureau Federation, and the American Psychological Association.
• Republican state Senator Michael Kreun of Blaine is concerned Minnesota will soon have an even bigger prison problem. He says the closing of the Minnesota Correctional Facility – Stillwater could mean the state runs out of room for prisoners. D-F-L Representative Maria Isa Perez-Vega (EE’-suh pair-ez-VAY’-guh)of St. Paul has visited Stillwater and says the conditions are unsafe for everyone and that was the decision that they made. The Stillwater prison is being phased out until its final closure in 2029.
• The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency(MPCA) issued an air quality alert for a large portion of the state through 11 tonight(Tues). It covers east central, west central, north central, northwest, central, and northeast Minnesota. Light winds are allowing the Canadian wildfire smoke to linger across northern Minnesota, especially near Lake Superior. Residents are encouraged to limit outdoor activities, especially those with respiratory conditions, children, and the elderly.