ARDEN HILLS, Minn. — The Minnesota National Guard’s 34th Infantry Division, known as the “Red Bulls,” has returned home after a 10-month deployment to the Middle East. 

On Saturday, the second wave of over 550 Citizen-Soldiers reunited with their families at the division’s headquarters in Arden Hills. 

This homecoming follows the first wave of soldiers who returned earlier this week, marking the end of a successful mission that began in February 2024. 

The Red Bulls were deployed in support of Operation Spartan Shield, where they played a role in strengthening defense relationships with partner nations.

During their deployment, the Red Bulls conducted numerous military-to-military exercises with partner nation forces in the region. They also modernized the division headquarters with top of the line communications equipment. Lieutenant Colonel Jay Hackett, the Infantry Battalion Commander, expressed pride in the unit’s focus and dedication throughout the mission.

“They really took care of the mission, and more importantly, they took care of each other,” Hackett said.

The scene at the Arden Hills headquarters was filled with emotion as families eagerly awaited their loved ones’ return. One soldier, medic Kacie Lou, was greeted with warm embraces from her parents and grandparents. When asked about her first desire upon returning home, she humorously replied, “I want to go eat some tacos.”

Another returning soldier described the surreal feeling of being back, stating, “It’s unexplainable. I feel like I’m in a dream, and I don’t think it’ll really set in until tomorrow morning when I wake up in my own bed.”

The Red Bulls’ return marks another chapter in the division’s rich history of service. With roots dating back to 1856, the Minnesota National Guard has consistently answered the nation’s call, with more than 13,000 Soldiers and Airmen serving across 58 communities in the state. 

MINNESOTA, USA — The Minnesota State Patrol has reported more than 100 crashes, spinouts and jackknifed semis statewide as a wintry mix makes its way through the state. 

According to the state patrol, there have been 109 property damage crashes, seven injury crashes, 23 reports of vehicle going off the road, two spin outs and one jackknifed semi as of 1:30 p.m.

The hazardous weather conditions are expected to continue on and off throughout the day as the system drfits to the east, according to KARE 11 Meteorologist Jamie Kagol. 

A KARE 11 Weather Impact Alert is in effect for Saturday with the expectation of slick roads and slippery conditions around the region.

Conditions are expected to improve by late night Saturday, according to Kagol. 

This is developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available. 

FENTON, Mo. — Employees at a martial arts business in Fenton rushed to save a mother and her twin eight-month-old babies after their vehicle was struck during a police pursuit involving federal officers on Interstate 44 in Fenton.

Surveillance video captured the moment a car being pursued by the DEA and Homeland Security struck the woman’s car on Wednesday.

Those who helped rescue them said it was a miracle they walked away alive.

The woman’s car flipped multiple times from the interstate, over the fence, and onto South Highway Drive before it landed in front of Xtreme Krav Maga & Fitness in Fenton. 

“All of a sudden, I heard a car crash, screeching noise, and my fellow employee, Lindsay, was here at the front counter, and she said, ‘Oh, that’s not good,'” said Dustin Pluth, a manager at the business.

Within seconds, Pluth sprang into action, running outside to the car.

“It was just kind of an instinct thing. Once I saw the car rolling, coming to a halt, and running up to it, I found a mom and two babies inside,” he said.

Pluth cut the mom’s seatbelt off to get her out and pulled her twin babies out of the sunroof. Then another employee, Lindsay Cross, comforted the mom while walking them inside to get warm.

“She was very terrified of just being in a car wreck number one, not knowing what was going on. She didn’t know what the outcome was, and then she was obviously worried about her kids,” Pluth said.

The business offers self-defense and martial arts classes, as well as medical training and trauma-one classes, which teach people how to become first responders.

Pluth said it’s training that helped them rescue the family.

“Luckily, the good people in this scenario had a few scratches on them, but it could’ve been a worse Christmas. And as a dad, kids being injured is the worst fear ever,” he said.

Of all places for a car accident to end, Pluth said it was the best result of a bad situation.

“She got handled and cared for, and the babies were cared for probably as quickly as we possibly could do. It’s definitely a Christmas miracle that it happened here, and they came as unscathed as possible,” Pluth said.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol said several suspects were taken into custody following the federal police pursuit.

Pluth said the mom was a little banged up, but thankfully, they’re all doing well.