MINOT, N.D. — People waiting at the Minot airport to pick up passengers watched in horror as an Air Force B-52 bomber passed under the path of an incoming Delta flight that had been cleared to land. The Delta pilot maneuvered sharply to avoid a collision. The lumbering B-52, weighing 183,000 pounds with eight engines, dwarfed the 76-passenger Delta Embraer 185. The Delta plane was on a 96-minute flight from Minneapolis and had been scheduled to land at 8:08 p.m. Touchdown was delayed a bit as the pilot circled the airport several times with an eye peeled for perhaps other B52s in the neighborhood. Meanwhile, the low-flying B-52 continued to the Minot Air Force Base 13 miles north of town. The Delta flight was operated by SkyWest Airlines under the Delta banner.

Wingspans: B-52 at 185 feet, Embraer 175 at 85 feet.

VerbatIm

Monica Green, a Delta passenger, in an interview with the Minot Daily News: “Honestly, everyone was weirdly calm. I felt like I was gaslighting myself, like maybe I was being crazy, because no one else was reacting,” Green said. “We took a really hard turn, and that’s when the pilot got on the intercom and said, ‘sorry everybody, I’ll explain everything when we land safely.’ the way he said it, it almost sounded like he was insinuating that landing safely might not be an option for a moment. We all just kind of looked at each other and stayed quiet.”

Verbatim

Delta news statement: “SkyWest flight 3788, operating as Delta Connection from Minneapolis, Minnesota to Minot, North Dakota, landed safely in Minot after being cleared for approach by the tower but performed a go-around when another aircraft became visible in their flight path. We are investigating.” Neither the Federal Aviation Administration nor the U.S. Air Force responded to news media queries.

FAA downsizing

The Federal Aviation Administration is responsible for U.S. air traffic control. Staffs have been short-handed for years. Staffing worsened significantly in March when President Trump fired 400 FAA staff members to save money. Trump also encouraged other FAA employees into early retirement while continuing further cuts. When fully staffed, the FAA as 14,000 air traffic controllers.

WINONA, Minn. – Hundreds of people rallied peacefully in a twilight demonstration at Windom Park against President Trump’s ethnic cleansing and deportation project. Poignant posters also objected to Trump initiatives to deprive poor people of healthcare. As protesters mulled around the square-block park, provocateurs in a white pickup truck circled with a siren blaring. In response the demonstrators broke into choruses of “We Shall Overcome” in the spirit of civil rights crusader John Lewis, who opted in the 1960s for passive resistance. The rally was among 1,600 nationwide to honor Lewis on the fifth anniversary of his death at age 80. Although impossible to measure precisely, the turnout nationwide was in the millions. There was no visible police presence at Winona’s Windom Park, although there were tense moments about 6:30 p.m. when police vehicles from several directions converged with sirens out of sight two blocks away on West Broadway Street between Grand and Sioux streets. The incident, apparently unrelated to the demonstration, was un-noted in the daily police news briefing the next morning. Despite the ruckus down the street, speakers at the rally continued taking their turns at the microphone. These included a 15-year-old young man who told how his mother in Australia was viewing the deteriorating U.S. political situation. Another speaker tearfully asked the crowd to pray for a cousin who had disappeared after being taken by Trump deportation agents. Another speaker, born and raised in Wisconsin, said she and her husband were political refugees who moved to Minnesota to escape the continual harassment and property vandalism of a right-wing neighbor. A senior citizen led the crowd in yet again a chorus of “We Shall Overcome”. Motorists passing the park at the busy Broadway and Huff intersection showed thumbs up and honked support. The exception was the white pickup with its siren.

Earlier: Windom Park rally to encourage “good trouble”

Earlier: Winona Indivisible pushes new mega-rally

Showing his colors. Was Betsy Ross his tailor? Despite the rally’s serious theme, an undertone was like a neighborly congregation of like-minded and deeply concerned citizens.  Images: Andy Frank

Notable for their absence: Congressman Brad Finstad, State Senator Jeremy Miller, and State Representatives Aaron Repinski and Steve Jacob. All Republicans with Finstad the most prominent as a Trump toady.

And it drifted down into the earthly company of a yellow Coreopsis, sometimes called tickseed, and a bed of downy purple leadplant, sometimes called prairie shoestring or buffalo bellows. Image: Andy Frank

MINNEAPOLIS — A plea of not guilty can be expected from the man accused of killing the leader in the state House of Representatives and her husband and wounding another lawmaker and his wife, the man’s attorney said. The announcement was by attorney Manny Atwal, who is representing assassination suspect Vance Boelter. She did not indicate the legal course she plans to use in defending Boelter.

Earlier: As expected, Boelter indicted for assassination

FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. — Among 33 new foods on the ever-growing menu at the Minnesota State Fair, which opens August 21:

Fawaffle: A  traditional Middle Eastern fritter of chickpeas and herbs. Pressed in a waffle iron. Topped with tahini butter. Served with cherry tomatoes, traditional hummus, green shatta, mint and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. Vegetarian. At Baba’s, west side of Underwood Street between Lee and Randall avenues.

Flauta dippers : Seasoned shredded chicken stuffed in rolled corn tortillas and fried. Served in a cup filled with mild tomatillo salsa, sour cream and crumbled cotija cheese. At El Burrito Mercad, in the International Bazaar, south wall

Freaky Fryday at The Herbivorous Butcher: Chicken-fried vegan bacon served with vegan fried chicken strips infused with bacon flavor. Optional toppings include mini donut cinnamon sugar & maple syrup, pickle seasoning and ranch dressing, spicy buffalo sauce and dragon dust. Vegan.  At Herbivorous Butcher, in the Food Building, west section, south wall

Earlier: Fair fodder /4: Prepare to loosen yur nelt

WINONA. Minn. — A Windom Park protest against Trump policies, planned for Thursday evening, is one of 1,600 panned nationwide. The loose national coalition organizing the rallies said it had received 126,000 R.S.V.P. confirmation from participants as of Tuesday. The Windom Park rally, unlike previous weekend afternoon events organized by Indivisible Winona, will on a weekday and run later, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.  The date was chosen to coincide with the day that civil rights icon John Lewis died in 2020. Organizers weren’t worried that a Thursday protest might mean lower turnout than previous rallies. A leader of one organizing group, Transformative Justice Coalition in Washington, said: “People are happy to gather in a celebratory protest” The expectation: “The largest weekday action this year.” Events are taking various forms: Protest rallies and marches, food drives, teach-ins, voter registration drives, and what’s called “moral assemblies.” Said Allison Pulliam, co-director of one organizing coalition, Declaration for American Democracy. in Washington, said: “People are showing up in their communities in the ways that they feel led to show up, and that’s just exactly what Congressman Lewis meant when he talked about ‘good trouble,’ finding ways to be of service to your community.” The flagship event this time will be in Chicago. Five events were planned in Palm Beach County in Florida, where Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate is located.

Earlier: Winona Indivisible pushes new mega-rally

Somewhere among the dots is Winona. Also St. Charles, where Winona County Democrats planned a prelude rally on a U.S. Highway 14 street corner at 4:30 for Whitewater folks.

WINONA, Minn. — A man who left his car running while he ran into his house looked out and saw a shirtless man driving off. In the center console was $1,000 cash and a wallet with an additional $400, police were told. Important: A pair of dachshunds were in the back seat. Seven minutes later police found the car abandoned. The money was gone. The car was undamaged. The dogs were fine. The car theft was about 5:10 p.m. near Broadway and Sioux streets. The car was located 18 blocks away near the Lake Winona lodge. There were no surveillance cameras at either end of the route, police said. The only clue as to the thief is the description from the dachshunds’ owner — a skinny, bald male probably between 30 and 50.

WASHINGTON — Minnesota Senator Tina Smith left her Capitol office not feeling well. She was taken to a hospital for what her staff called a “thorough examination.” The staff said there was no immediate diagnosis but that Smith, age 67, hoped to be back at work “very soon.” Smith, a Democrat,, has been in the U.S. Senate since 2018. She announced in February she would retire in 2026.

Earlier: U.S. Senator Smith not seeking re-election

LACROSSE, Wis. — A Winona man accused of killing 37-year-old Josh Pigney at his suburban Holmen home two weeks ago made his first court appearance without an attorney. Judge Elliott Levine ordered that a public defender be appointed for Jacob Klaver. The judge scheduled a new hearing next week. Klaver, age 38, appeared gaunt but attentive. He was in an orange jail jumpsuit and cuffed to a wheelchair. When arrested July 2 in Winona, he complained of a medical condition and was hospitalized under police guard. Authorities have been reluctant to describe his ailment. In court were friends of Pigney, a popular motorcycle racer. They wore T-shirts in his memory. Meanwhile. a memorial ride in honor of Pigney has been scheduled for Saturday.

Earlier: Winona man’s bail at $1 million for murder

Earlier: Woman fingers ex-boyfriend for Holmen murder

Earlier: Winona police arrest Holmen murder suspect

Earlier: Details emerge in Holmen murder

Earlier: Man murdered in upscale Holmen home

LACROSSE, Wis. — Bail was set at $10,000 for a homeless man accused of firing shots at the Pettibone beach park.  No one was injured. Arrested shortly after the incident was Jared Duddles, age 40, who apparently was living in an illegally pitched tent at the park. This was about 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday. Police reconstructed this series of events:

> A man was relaxing in his vehicle near the water when Duddles began yelling at him. The man shouted back and flipped Duddles off.

> Duddles retrieved a gun from a white sleeve in his bicycle trailer. He pointed the gun at the victim, then turned towards the river and fired a shot. There were boaters on the river.

> Police arrived and located Duddles. He admitted to a firearm in his backpack. Police found a loaded .22 caliber revolver with six rounds, including three hollow-point bullets. Also in the backpack: 36 additional rounds of ammunition and 14 grams of marijuana.

> A search of a tent in the no-camping-allowed park uncovered the shotgun from the incident. Also in the tent: A second rifle and additional ammunition

Separate from the park incident, police said, a woman has accused Duddles of sending threatening text messages in early July. The Duddles incident was the second one at Pettibone in two weeks.

Earlier: Beach brawl bust: LaCrosse teen arrested

Duddles. Booked for recklessly endangering public safety.

Scenic overlook. With the Root River on the south side of town and State Highway16 taking travelers to to Houston and Hokah and beyond, Image: Andy Frank

WINONA, Minn. – The Fire Department reported 26 emergency medical calls plus 21 fire calls in recent days:

> Tuesday, July 15: 2 medical call plus 4 fire calls

> Monday, July 14: 6 medical calls plus 1 fire call.

> Sunday, July 13: 2 medical calls plus 2 fire calls.

> Saturday, July 12: 2 medical calls plus 3 fire calls.

> Friday, July 11: 3 medical call plus 1 fire calls

> Thursday, July 10: 7 medical calls plus 7 fire calls

> Wednesday, July 9: 4 medical calls plus 3 fire calls.

Earlier: Emergency, fire crews make 66 calls

FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. — Among 33 new foods on the ever-growing menu at the Minnesota State Fair, which opens August 21:

Croffle cloud: Croissant pressed in a waffle iron and topped with fresh whipped sweet cream, a drizzle of fruit puree and a cloud of cotton candy. Three flavor choices: Banana caramel, yuzu puree with lemon meringue cotton candy, or coconut drizzle with coconut cotton candy. Vegetarian. At Spinning Wylde, north of Wright Avenue between Cooper and Cosgrove streets, at Family Fair at Baldwin Park.

Deep-fried tofuego bites: Breaded tofu, deep fried and tossed in tangy, spicy sauce. Served on a bed of pineapple and napa cabbage slaw. Topped with sesame seeds and scallions. Vegan. At Rooted and Wild Snack House, in the Lee and Rose Warner Coliseum, south side.

Dill pickle iced tea: Brewed black tea infused with dill pickle flavor, Served with a dill pickle spear. Garnished with a rim of chamoy, tajín, salt and dill. Vegan. Gluten Free. At Loon Lake Iced Tea.west side of Underwood Street between Wright and Dan Patch avenues

Earlier: Fair fodder /3: So much, so good

UTICA, Minn. ­— Fire claimed a large barn on a farm south of Utica despite the efforts of fire crews from three nearby communities. No injuries were reported. No animals were lost. The fire call was about 8:05 p.m. Crews responded from Altura, seven miles away; Lewiston, five miles away; and St. Charles, six miles away. Firefighters cleared the scene about 10 p.m.

WINONA, Minn. – Two boys fishing at the East End marina told police that a stranger descended on them yelling and screaming. They reeled in their gear and walked to another fishing spot. The man came at them again, still threateningly, they said. The boys, age 16 and 15, got in their car to leave. But in backing out, they struck a post. There was no damage, but they decided to notify police anyway. They also relayed an account of the verbal assault. Officers located the man who the boys identified as their assailant — a 27-year-old known around town for inexplicable outbursts. This was about 2:25 p.m. A  disorderly conduct charge was being considered.

LACROSSE, Wis. – Altra Federal Credit Union has awarded $45,000 in relief grants to 12 of its members facing terminal illness. The funds cover essential costs and also help “restore peace of mind.” LaCrosse-based Altra has locations in eight states, $2.2 billion in assets, and 125,000 members.

WINONA, Minn. — The Winona hospital and clinic’s fund-raising arm has scheduled retired pro football player John Randle for a motivational session on leadership at the annual Ben and Adith Miller golf tournament on August 11. Randle played 11 seasons with the Vikings. Sign-up details. The golf event typically raises $120,000 for patient care. The 18- hole main event and a nine-hole challenge will be at the Cedar Valley course.

Randle. To speak at awards banquet that winds up tournament.