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Wrestling legend Rick Flair drops by KARE 11
The grappling legend is in his hometown as part of a big AEW event at Target Center Wednesday night.
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — He’s been around the world, battling good guys and villains while carving out his place as a pro wrestling legend.
And on Tuesday, “Nature Boy” Ric Flair came back to where it all began.
Many fans don’t know that Flair actually grew up in Golden Valley, with a father who was a doctor at several Twin Cities hospitals. Flair started his career in Verne Gagne’s AWA, left town in 1974 and never looked back. He is in town as part of a big AEW Dynamite and Rampage wrestling event at Target Center Wednesday night.
KARE 11 Sunrise anchor Jason Hackett is a HUGE wrestling fan, and jumped at the chance to chat the Nature Boy up on a number of topics. Among the things he learned:
- Flair survived a plane crash.
- He’s been struck by lightning.
- He spent two weeks in a coma after suffering multiple organ failures.
- His daughter Charlotte is a professional wrestler and 14-time World Champion.
Flair told Jason that he believes God is the reason he is still around, and said the one thing he’s learned, especially during his major medical episode in 2017, is to tell the people you care about that you love them, every day.
He’ll be 75 in February, and says the fact he’s survived and experienced everything that he has in all those years is “scary.” When asked for his list of top rivals, he mentioned 4:
- Dusty Rhodes
- Sting
- Steve Austin
- Shawn Michaels
AEW Dynamite Rampage starts at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Target Center in downtown Minneapolis. For more on the event and how to get tickets, check out this webpage.
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The young victim was driving a Ford Taurus when it went off the road and struck a tree.
LITTLE SAUK, Minn. — A 16-year-old boy died in a crash Sunday night in Little Sauk, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
The Browerville teen was driving a Ford Taurus northbound on Highway 71 around 10 p.m. when the car went off the road and struck a tree near 150th Street, according to the Minnesota State Patrol website.
Troopers say roads were snowy and icy at that time.
The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating and will release the victim’s identity and any case updates when they become available.
The wellness program welcomed people to tour the space on World AIDS day.
MINNEAPOLIS — The Aliveness Project opened up a Thrive clinic and pharmacy on Sunday, which is World AIDS Day.
“The Aliveness Project is about helping people living with and at risk for HIV, live long and healthy lives,” said Aliveness Project Executive Director Matt Toburen.
Toburen said construction started eight months ago but the project has been in the works for two years.
“We’re really excited to have an inclusive space and an inclusive clinic pharmacy,” Toburen said. “Anyone from the community can feel welcomed … they’re not going to be stigmatized or turned away for who they are and who they love.”
Toburen said having an onsite pharmacy is important because some patients won’t pick up their prescribed medication after their appointment.
He said this type of clinic and pharmacy is needed in Minnesota.
“We’re failing the community, and people are falling through the cracks, people who are at risk of HIV are falling through the cracks, and so we’ve created the Thrive Clinic Pharmacy in order to end HIV in Minnesota,” he said. “In our neighboring states of Wisconsin, and Illinois, and Iowa, they’re seeing decreased HIV infections.”
According to the Minnesota Department of Health an HIV outbreak was declared in Hennepin and Ramsey counties in 2020, and in the Duluth area in 2021.
MDH reported 324 people were diagnosed with HIV last year, and 207 people have been diagnosed in Minnesota this year.
“We have to do something bold because it’s unacceptable,” Toburen said.
He said there are a number of factors that contributed to the outbreak like healthcare disparities, lack of protection, and lack of sexual healthcare. He also said the outbreaks have been tied to encampments and intravenous drug use.
Toburen said the center can be a one-stop shop for people to seek medical care, food, and other resources.
He said the pharmacy will also offer PrEP and PEP.
“PrEP is a medication that when taken regularly can prevent someone from contracting HIV. PEP is something that is post-exposure prophylactic, often used in the medical setting… kind of like the morning after pill, that when there is an exposure, when taken withing 72 hours can prevent contracting HIV,” he said.
Toburen said rapid access to these medications is really important for their effectiveness. Paying for these medications can be another barrier this pharmacy will work to address.
He’s also excited to see how the clinicians and pharmacists will work together as a team to help their patients.
“This can be really groundbreaking when it comes to work on gender medicine and hormone treatments and being able to modify and… adjust medications and treatments and working with the pharmacist whose working in collaboration with that provider,” he said.
Toburen said the clinic is open. Prospective patients can schedule an appointment online or stop by the Aliveness Project.
He said the pharmacy will open in early 2025. The pharmacy will also be available to people who need other medications.
The wellness program welcomed people to tour the space on World AIDS day.
MINNEAPOLIS — The Aliveness Project opened up a Thrive clinic and pharmacy on Sunday, which is World AIDS Day.
“The Aliveness Project is about helping people living with and at risk for HIV, live long and healthy lives,” said Aliveness Project Executive Director Matt Toburen.
Toburen said construction started eight months ago but the project has been in the works for two years.
“We’re really excited to have an inclusive space and an inclusive clinic pharmacy,” Toburen said. “Anyone from the community can feel welcomed … they’re not going to be stigmatized or turned away for who they are and who they love.”
Toburen said having an onsite pharmacy is important because some patients won’t pick up their prescribed medication after their appointment.
He said this type of clinic and pharmacy is needed in Minnesota.
“We’re failing the community, and people are falling through the cracks, people who are at risk of HIV are falling through the cracks, and so we’ve created the Thrive Clinic Pharmacy in order to end HIV in Minnesota,” he said. “In our neighboring states of Wisconsin, and Illinois, and Iowa, they’re seeing decreased HIV infections.”
According to the Minnesota Department of Health an HIV outbreak was declared in Hennepin and Ramsey counties in 2020, and in the Duluth area in 2021.
MDH reported 324 people were diagnosed with HIV last year, and 207 people have been diagnosed in Minnesota this year.
“We have to do something bold because it’s unacceptable,” Toburen said.
He said there are a number of factors that contributed to the outbreak like healthcare disparities, lack of protection, and lack of sexual healthcare. He also said the outbreaks have been tied to encampments and intravenous drug use.
Toburen said the center can be a one-stop shop for people to seek medical care, food, and other resources.
He said the pharmacy will also offer PrEP and PEP.
“PrEP is a medication that when taken regularly can prevent someone from contracting HIV. PEP is something that is post-exposure prophylactic, often used in the medical setting… kind of like the morning after pill, that when there is an exposure, when taken withing 72 hours can prevent contracting HIV,” he said.
Toburen said rapid access to these medications is really important for their effectiveness. Paying for these medications can be another barrier this pharmacy will work to address.
He’s also excited to see how the clinicians and pharmacists will work together as a team to help their patients.
“This can be really groundbreaking when it comes to work on gender medicine and hormone treatments and being able to modify and… adjust medications and treatments and working with the pharmacist whose working in collaboration with that provider,” he said.
Toburen said the clinic is open. Prospective patients can schedule an appointment online or stop by the Aliveness Project.
He said the pharmacy will open in early 2025. The pharmacy will also be available to people who need other medications.
