MINNEAPOLIS — The 18th president of the University of Minnesota will officially be introduced in her position Wednesday during a day of inaugural events across campus.

The school released a statement on the eve of Dr. Rebecca Cunningham’s ceremonial inauguration detailing the day’s activities and highlighting Cunningham’s professional achievements. 

Cunningham, the school’s 18th executive leader, officially stepped into the president’s office on July 1.

In its statement, the school said, “Addressing the world’s most pressing health challenges is something the U of M and Cunningham have in common,” sharing that Cunningham has decades of leadership experience in academic and medical fields.

According to the U, the day will begin with events that include honoring the school’s “history and traditions” and looking “ahead to the future under Cunningham’s leadership.”

Cunningham will take the Northrop stage at 3 p.m., where she’ll deliver her inaugural address. The school said the celebration will spread to the broader campus community around 4:30 p.m., featuring live entertainment, food and outdoor activities along the Northrop Mall.

The university said Cunningham will also moderate a panel discussion Wednesday morning about how public research universities affect societal and environmental health challenges.

For more info about the day’s festivities, visit the University of Minnesota’s website.

MINNESOTA, USA — New data from State Farm shows catalytic converter thefts may be on the decline in the U.S., and in Minnesota. 

According to the insurance company, the first half of 2024 saw a 74% drop in catalytic converter theft claims, compared to the same time period in 2023. 

In Minnesota, State Farm said there were 68 claims during the first six months of this year, compared to 400 claims made in 2023. 

Catalytic converters are part of a car’s exhaust system. According to JD Power, converter scraps are stolen and sold for their precious metals. 

But in 2023, new legislation in Minnesota made it illegal to possess a detached catalytic converter that doesn’t contain the VIN of the matching car. The law also requires scrap metal dealers to enter sales into a BCA database. 

State Farm said the 74% drop nationally is especially good news when compared to when theft claims peaked in 2022. 

The North Star State has the ninth most claims in the U.S. so far this year. California saw more than 2,000 claims in the first half of 2024, State Farm said in the news release, with Illinois in second with 540 claims. 

The insurance company gave some tips to prevent theft, like engraving your VIN into the car’s converter and having a security camera pointing at your usual parking spot. 

“Always be mindful of your vehicle and exercise precaution when necessary,” JD Power says on its website. “If you find that your car is too loud and something seems off, it is possible you have become a victim of theft. In this case, you should call your insurance company and check if catalytic converters are covered in your policy.” 

SHERBURNE COUNTY, Minn. — A 48-year-old is dead after hitting a tree Monday night in Livonia Township.

The Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office said the driver was on 112th Street Northwest when his vehicle left the road near 233rd Avenue and crashed into a tree. Deputies were called to the crash around 7 p.m. and found the man trapped inside the vehicle. Authorities say extrication was needed to pull him from the vehicle, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officials identified the man as Michael A. Calavicco of Zimmerman.