ST PAUL, Minn. — Several state agencies and first responders are sending emergency response teams to North Carolina, while the Minnesota National Guard is providing two cargo helicopters to help transport people and resources throughout the areas devastated by Hurricane Helene.

The assistance comes after Gov. Tim Walz signed an emergency executive order Wednesday following the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene in parts of the Carolinas, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia.

“Those recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Helene are not alone,” said Gov. Tim Walz in a press release. “Minnesota will be there to support the region however we can. As communities rebuild, I am grateful for the dedication of Minnesota’s first responders in answering the call to travel east to help impacted areas.”

More than 180 people have been confirmed dead, and many more are unaccounted for after the hurricane made landfall last week in the southeastern United States. The storm caused massive destruction in several areas with more than a million people still without power.

As part of Walz’s emergency order, the St. Louis County mobile command post is heading down to North Carolina, while the Minnesota State Patrol and Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office have also assembled teams with general law enforcement, according to the release. The Minnesota State Fire Marshal is also working with local fire departments to send equipment and personnel to some of the areas that were hit the worst.

Along with the two helicopters, the Minnesota National Guard has activated 11 soldiers, who are expected to arrive on Friday to help for at least one week.

“The Minnesota National Guard is ready to assist the state of North Carolina and help support people and communities impacted by Hurricane Helene,” said Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke, Minnesota National Guard Adjutant General. “We take pride in being able to answer the call when another state requests support.”

Xcel Energy is also sending employees to help restore power in the region. 

HENNEPIN COUNTY, Minn. — Minneapolis, Crystal, Robbinsdale, and Brooklyn Park have now all given municipal consent on preliminary designs of the Blue Line light rail extension through their cities.

The 13-mile-long project has been in the planning stages for 10 years, with officials hoping to get it up and running by 2030. It would connect Minneapolis to Brooklyn Park with about a dozen stops in between. 

The Blue Line Extension is being conducted by Hennepin County and the Metropolitan Council, who project 15,000 rides daily on the route. 

“We are pleased our city and county partners have confirmed we’re on the right track and ready to move forward together,” said Metropolitan Council Chair Charlie Zelle in a statement. “This is an important investment in our regional transit vision that will improve people’s lives and make our communities prosperous for generations to come.”

This comes after debate and opposition within some of the communities along the route, including Robbinsdale. Residents there told KARE 11 the plans don’t address public safety and displace residents and businesses.

Hennepin County Board Chair Irene Fernando said in a statement the municipal consent approval is a “historic investment in communities that have been historically underinvested in.”

“This project is about our future and the type of community we want to build together. It’s important that we get it right. There’s still a lot of work to do. Elected officials’ strong support shows the value they know Light Rail will bring to their communities. Projects of this scale require strong partnership with the communities they will serve—Hennepin County is dedicated to that. We look forward to continuing to work with each city along this route to make sure the Blue Line Extension best serves their communities and our region long into the future.”

The proposed plans can be viewed by clicking here. The plan now goes to a final design phase.

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. — A 22-year-old from Winona has been missing in Yellowstone National Park, and after 11 days of searching, authorities have scaled back from a rescue mission to a recovery effort. 

Austin King-Henke was dropped off at Terrace Point by boat on Sept. 14 ahead of the hike up Eagle Peak, the highest point in the national park, for a week-long solo trip. Over the next few days he spoke to friends and family on the phone, and talked with a backcountry ranger. But when he did not return at the scheduled time, he was reported missing. 

For the past 11 days, more than 100 personnel have been looking for King-Henke, utilizing helicopters, dog teams, and drones. According to the National Park Service, more than 3,225 miles by air and ground at elevations ranging from 11,350 feet to 8,400 feet have been searched.

Officials said “unfortunately, they have not found any definitive clues as to King’s current whereabouts.”

“Despite significant search efforts over the past week and a half, we have not been able to locate Austin,” said Superintendent Cam Sholly in a press release. “Although we will continue to hope for the best, I want to extend my deepest sympathies to Austin’s family, friends and colleagues. I also want to thank the teams from Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, and Park and Teton counties, Wyoming, who have all worked tirelessly to find Austin in some of the most difficult and remote terrain in Yellowstone.”

This week authorities said the search is scaling back from a rescue mission to a recovery effort. Searches will continue but the National Park Service said it will be limited, and “the park does not expect to provide further updates unless a notable change occurs.” 

King-Henke is an employee at Xanterra Parks and Resorts, a private business within Yellowstone National Park.  He grew up in Winona and is a graduate of Winona-Cotter High School. His Facebook page reflects a young man who loves the outdoors and the adventures that come with it. Social media is inundated with posts hoping for his safe return.