Thursday News & Sports Notebook

St. Louis County highlights impacts of federal budget bill

As the U.S. House of Representatives now considers a major federal reconciliation bill, St. Louis County leadership is closely monitoring the legislation and has engaged with federal leaders about potential impacts to citizens, county government operations and the property tax levy.

As written, the federal bill will shift Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) costs from the federal government to states. Meanwhile, for Medicaid, the bill will increase the workload to manage the program. Because Minnesota is one of 10 states that rely on counties to administer Medicaid and SNAP, this means these new costs will be shifted to and incurred by counties.

It is currently estimated that the impact of this cost shift to St. Louis County will be more than $10 million for SNAP and $6.4 million for Medicaid. This is the equivalent of a 9.5% increase in the property tax levy.

Additionally, more staff will be needed to fulfill the bill's increased requirements for verifying participants' eligibility for the programs. St. Louis County staff are responsible for determining eligibility, enrollment and renewals for approximately 40,000 people – 20% of county residents – who receive Medicaid coverage annually; and for 16,000 residents who receive SNAP benefits on a month basis.

County staff are on the front lines and know the situations of families and individuals served by these programs. St. Louis County remains committed to administering them in compliance with all federal and state rules, while being mindful of the impacts to property taxpayers. –  Dana Kazel

County to open Brimson site for wildfire debris

BRIMSON, Minn. — St. Louis County will open a temporary disposal site in Brimson on Monday to help residents clear debris from recent wildfires.

Located at the old county garage at 3115 Highway 44, the site will operate Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through July, possibly longer if needed. Only wildfire debris will be accepted.

Residents can drop off burned wood, roofing, concrete, damaged personal property, scrap metal, electronics, tires and household hazardous waste — all free of charge, though items must be separated.

Liquids such as gas and oil should be taken to the county’s hazardous waste sites in Virginia or Hibbing, while trees and brush can go to the Aurora or Virginia facilities. Vehicle bodies are not accepted.

More information is available at stlouiscountymn.gov/waste or by calling 218-749-9703.

Twin Cities nurses avert strike with deal; Duluth prepares to walk

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Nurses in the Twin Cities have reached a tentative three-year contract agreement with hospitals, narrowly avoiding a planned Unfair Labor Practice strike after nearly four months of tense negotiations. The deal, announced Thursday by the Minnesota Nurses Association, resolves multiple disputes, including alleged labor violations. Key provisions include a 3% pay hike in the first year, followed by 4% and 3% raises, plus new protections tied to Minnesota’s break law and measures to curb workplace violence.

Union leaders said the agreement was hard-won amid deep hospital budget strains tied to looming federal Medicaid cuts that could cost Minnesota up to $500 million in a year. Roughly one in five Minnesotans relies on Medicaid. MNA President Chris Rubesch, a registered nurse, said staffing emerged as the top concern for nurses, eclipsing wages for the first time, reflecting growing fears over patient safety and burnout.

While Metro nurses prepare to vote on ratifying the deal, the contract fight shifts north. Nearly 1,500 nurses in Duluth plan to launch a strike July 8, joined by Advanced Practice Providers on July 10, pressing hospital leaders to bargain in good faith. “The fight for safe staffing and patient care is far from over,” Rubesch said, urging Minnesotans to back nurses as they continue pushing for stronger protections statewide.

Duluth to host Great Lakes High Dive competition

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth is set to break new ground next week, hosting the first professional high diving event ever staged on the Great Lakes. The Superior High Dive Challenge will unfold along the Lake Superior shoreline, framed by the iconic Aerial Lift Bridge.

A 65-foot tower is being installed on the new seawall behind the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center by Watershow Productions, led by Minnesota native and diving legend Dana Kunze, who still holds the world record with a 172-foot dive. His team is widely known for building and producing high-profile diving showcases across the country.

The event will feature 10 internationally ranked divers, each bringing world-class skills and remarkable personal stories. In a crowd-pleasing move, the Superior High Dive Challenge will run alongside the popular Festival of Sail, giving thousands of visitors a chance to see top-tier diving at no additional cost beyond their tall ships tickets.

Jets’ Samberg poised for big payday as restricted free agency nears

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dylan Samberg of Hermantown is expected to command a substantial raise as he enters restricted free agency this summer, with market projections suggesting a deal in the $4 million to $5 million annual range.

Samberg, 26, played top-four minutes for the Jets last season, logging more than 21 minutes per game while leading the club in blocked shots and takeaways. He finished with a career-best plus-34 rating.

According to league analysts, a multi-year contract in the neighborhood of four years at roughly $4.5 million annually appears most likely. Some models have projected even higher figures on a long-term deal, approaching $5.2 million per season over five years.

The Jets have roughly $19 million in cap space for 2025-26, positioning them to lock up one of their cornerstone defenders without significant financial strain. Samberg’s last contract carried an average annual value of $1.4 million.

Winnipeg management is expected to prioritize securing Samberg’s services well ahead of training camp to avoid potential offer sheet complications.

Duluth FC secures top seed with comeback win over Siouxland

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Duluth FC struck for three second-half goals to rally past Siouxland United FC 3-2 here on Wednesday night, clinching the top seed in the upcoming NPSL North Conference playoffs.

Trailing 1-0 at halftime after a 28th-minute strike by Siouxland’s Joao Roch, the BlueGreens (7-1-2 North) finally broke through in the 68th minute when Filipe Oliviera converted a penalty kick, his team-leading sixth goal of the season.

Peter Person gave Duluth its first lead in the 82nd with a volley from the top of the box, and JJ Oyebamiji added a crucial insurance goal in the 90th after a setup by Person. Siouxland’s Sergio Mijingos cut the deficit to one in stoppage time, but Duluth held on.

The victory ensures Duluth FC will host a conference semifinal next Wednesday night in superior. The opponent will be determined after Saturday’s final day of regular-season play. Siouxland wraps up its schedule Saturday against the Iowa Demon Hawks.

Man rescued after falling from boat on Six Mile Lake

CHERRY TOWNSHIP, Minn. — A Hibbing man was rescued Wednesday night after spending nearly an hour in the water on Six Mile Lake in Cherry Township.

The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said deputies received a call around 8:55 p.m. about a man who had fallen out of his boat and was yelling for help. The lake is located east of Hibbing.

Deputies, along with members of the Hibbing and Cherry fire departments and the St. Louis County Rescue Squad, responded to the scene. A nearby homeowner who heard the cries for help also assisted.

Rescuers pulled the man, a 58-year-old from Hibbing, from the water and brought him safely to shore. Authorities said he had been fishing alone in a small, shallow boat when he tried to retrieve his anchor. The boat took on water and swamped, sending him overboard.

Despite being in the lake for close to an hour while clinging to the boat and a flotation cushion, the man was uninjured. Officials noted he had a life jacket on board but was not wearing it.