Star Tribune
St. Louis County OKs 7.23% max tax levy increase; new development will blunt that
DULUTH – St. Louis County board members were unanimous in their support for a maximum 7.23% property tax levy increase in 2025 — a jump from last year, but still a bit less than the increase in the property tax base.
The levy increase is more than $180 million, and more than half of the money is slotted into two categories: public health and human services and public safety. The county’s tax base grew with about $265 million in new construction last year, mostly residential. The levy is divided among property owners based on the property’s value and classification — including commercial, homestead and seasonal recreation.
“When I look at an increase like this, it is a daunting task to go in public and ask that,” board chair Keith Nelson said during Tuesday’s committee of the whole meeting at the St. Louis County Courthouse, adding that he fully supported it. He credited finance and budget chair Annie Harala, of Duluth, for her leadership on the project.
According to the county, a home valued at $400,000 will see a $10 decrease in the county portion of its property taxes compared to last year. Commercial properties are expected to see minimal impact. In Duluth, the county’s portion of the property tax bill is the highest. Forty-one percent of what residents pay goes to the county, while 27% goes to the city and a similar amount to the school district.
By law, counties in Minnesota must set a maximum property tax levy by the end of September. The amount can lower but it cannot increase as commissioners hone next year’s budget — which commissioners are expected to vote on Dec. 17. Meetings for public input on the levy and budget are at 7 p.m. Nov. 18 at the St. Louis County Courthouse in Virginia and Nov. 25 at the courthouse in Duluth. The latter meeting will stream live on Facebook.
Sen. JD Vance has picked another Minnesota politician to play the role of Gov. Tim Walz in practice sessions ahead of their televised vice presidential debate: U.S. Rep Tom Emmer.
The selection of Emmer was confirmed by a source familiar with the Republican candidate’s debate preparation. Emmer and his team have also spent the past month studying Walz’s past debates, his mannerisms and his policy positions, according to the source. The vice presidential debate will be at 8 p.m. Central Time in New York.
Walz, who was elected to the House before running for governor, overlapped for a period with Emmer when they were both in Congress. Emmer is the House majority whip, which is the the third highest ranking Republican in the House of Representatives.
On the Democratic side, sources have told news outlets including NBC and Politico that Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will be playing the role of Vance in Walz’s debate preparations.
There’s nothing like experiencing a Gophers volleyball Border Battle against Wisconsin at Maturi Pavilion. The atmosphere. The rivalry. The intensity.
This will be Gophers coach Keegan Cook’s first time in that home environment when the No. 16 Gophers (7-3) play host to the No. 7 Badgers (6-3) on Wednesday night.
“Rivalries are what makes sports special,” said Cook, who will be coaching in front of a sellout crowd.
The one thing Cook already knows about the Badgers from playing them last year is their size on the frontline. He’ll see a similar display for Big Ten opening night.
Carter Booth, an ex-Gopher who is a 6-7 middle blocker, and Anna Smrek a 6-9 right side hitter, are both All-Americas. Last year’s NCAA player of the year, Sarah Franklin, is a 6-4 outside hitter.
“It’s about as physical as you’re going to see going back and forth across the net,” Cook said. “Big athletes doing big things.”
In 2023, the Badgers swept the Gophers in three sets. Wisconsin is pretty much the same physically imposing team as last year.
Cook has seen some of his squad’s biggest strides come from sophomore Calissa Minatee and senior Phoebe Awoleye. The pair are on the small side for middle blockers but big on athleticism and versatility.
Star Tribune
Man charged with getting in a shootout with trooper on I-94 in Minneapolis after causing crash.
A man grabbed the steering wheel from his girlfriend, crashed the vehicle on a Minneapolis interstate and got in a shootout with a state trooper, according to charges filed Tuesday.
Eddie James Freeman, 23, of Minneapolis, was charged in Hennepin County District Court with one count of first-degree assault, four counts of second-degree assault and one count of fourth-degree assault in connection with the confrontation Saturday on Interstate near the Dowling Avenue exit. None of the gunfire resulted in any injuries.
Freeman remains jailed in lieu of $300,000 bail ahead of a court appearance Wednesday. Court records do not list an attorney for him.
Also Tuesday, the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) identified the trooper involved in the altercation as as Mark Vande Steeg. The agency said Vande Steeg has been in law enforcement slightly more than a year and is on standard critical incident leave as its investigation continues. Body camera and squad camera video captured portions of the incident, the BCA said.
The agency said said its crime scene personnel recovered a handgun from the where Freeman was arrested. The personnel also saw bullet damage to Vande Steeg’s squad, the BCA added.
According to the charges:
Troopers were sent about 10:15 p.m. Saturday to the spot where Freeman crashed his vehicle. While en route, they were alerted to shots being fired near the crash scene and were given a description of a possible suspect.
As Vande Steeg arrived, he put his squad spotlight on a man who matched the description. In response, Freeman fired several shots at the trooper.
