Authorities have reported 13 more fatalities from a blaze in Northern California that destroyed a town, bringing the total death toll so far to 42 and making it the deadliest wildfire in recorded state history. The dead have been found in burned-out cars, in the smoldering ruins of their homes, or next to their vehicles, apparently overcome by smoke and flames before they could jump in behind the wheel and escape. The statewide death toll from wildfires over the past week has reached 44.
It's been a week since the midterm elections and Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek still hasn't conceded. It could come down to a meeting this morning where the "County Canvassing Board" will review the vote totals before certifying the results. With all the votes counted, Metro Transit Sargaent Dave Hutchinson leads Stanek by 2,329 votes.
In just a couple years, downtown Minneapolis will look a lot different. Today the planning commission is expected to approve several towers that will reshape downtown. The biggest is a 35-story tower to go up along Washington Avenue between Nicollet Mall and Hennepin Avenue. It will be a mixed-use development, with a hotel, commercial space and condos. Near U.S. Bank stadium, two big apartment projects are in the works, including one by the Vikings' owners, the Wilf family. The council member representing most of downtown says developers are enthusiastically planning in Minneapolis.
