Category Archives: COVID-19
7 Minnesotans accused in massive scheme to defraud pandemic food program to stand trial
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Opening statements are expected Monday in the fraud trial of seven people charged in what federal prosecutors have called a massive scheme to exploit lax rules during the COVID-19 p...
Apr 29, 2024 Pixabay
States trashing troves of masks and pandemic gear as huge, costly stockpiles linger and expire
When the coronavirus pandemic took hold in an unprepared U.S., states scrambled for masks and other protective gear. Three years later, as the grips of the pandemic have loosened, many states are now ...
Dec 20, 2023 Unsplash
Americans can now get an updated COVID-19 vaccine
Most Americans should get an updated COVID-19 vaccine, health officials said Tuesday. Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention endorsed the new shots for everyone 6 months and older ...
Sep 13, 2023 Unsplash
Justice Department announces charges against hundreds of alleged COVID-19 fraudsters
WASHINGTON (AP) - Hundreds of people have been charged with the theft of more than $830 million in COVID-19 emergency aid following a nationwide operation conducted by federal, state and local law enf...
Aug 24, 2023 AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File
Minnesota woman sentenced to 7 years in prison in $7M pandemic aid fraud scheme
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - A Minnesota woman has been sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison for fraudulently applying for roughly $7 million in pandemic aid, $4.7 million of which the gover...
Aug 17, 2023 Unsplash
Appeals court says Minnesota governor had authority to impose mask mandate
ST. PAUL (AP) - Gov. Tim Walz had the legal authority to mandate face masks when he declared a public health emergency in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled ...
Jul 11, 2023 AP Images
Audit finds issues with Minnesota COVID-19 pandemic spending
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Auditors examining nearly $400 million in pandemic spending in Minnesota found several instances in which state agencies exceeded their emergency authority or failed to properly...
May 05, 2023 Unsplash
SNAP Benefits End This Month for Thousands of Low Income Families
(KNSI) - Families on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, will see cuts to their benefits after this month as the temporary emergency benefits that helped low-income Minnesotans buy...
Mar 01, 2023 Unsplash
St. Cloud Dedicates Monument to Frontline Pandemic Workers
(KNSI) - Central Minnesota dedicated a monument to honor those who were on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. She says the community support got her and her coworkers through the darkest times....
Jan 27, 2023 Jake Judd/KNSI News
Minnesota Giving Out Final Round of Free at Home COVID Tests
(KNSI) - Minnesotans have one more chance to get four free at-home rapid COVID-19 test kits. The Minnesota Department of Health says this will be the last chance for Minnesotans to get the free tests ...
Jan 10, 2023 Unsplash