NWS Expands Severe Weather Warnings

Friday, March 29th, 2013, 11:24am

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The National Weather Service will provide more detailed severe weather warnings beginning Monday in 14 states, including Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Forecasters say the more descriptive information is aimed at getting people to safety sooner when severe weather approaches. The expanded warnings have been tested in Kansas and Missouri and will be expanded to a dozen other states.

Tornado warnings will be issued based on three tiers of information. When a tornado is possible based on radar data, the warning will clearly communicate hazards and possible impact.

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Health Care Providers Post Bigger Profits

Submitted by KAAL_Web_Staff

Friday, March 29th, 2013, 7:33am

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - An audit report says taxpayer-funded health care for low-income Minnesotans exceeded state targets by nearly $207 million between 2002 and 2011.

The extra revenue for health care providers contracting with the state for MinnesotaCare and Medical Assistance allowed them to post a 2.4 percent profit, which is twice the amount set by the state.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services ordered the audit, done by the Segal Group, after concerns were raised about the rate-setting process between the state and the nonprofit health plans.

The Star Tribune reports the health plans had an operating profit of $430.5 million on revenue of $18 billion for those years. The profit total was $206.9 million more than expected.

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Information from: Star Tribune, http://www.startribune.com

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In Sign Of Spring, Des Moines Opens 3 Golf Courses

Submitted by KAAL_Web_Staff

Friday, March 29th, 2013, 7:21am

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Despite a few lingering snow patches, the city of Des Moines is embracing spring by opening the city's three public golf courses.

The city on Friday will open the A.H. Blank, Waveland and Bright Grandview golf courses.

Benjamin Page, the director of the city's parks and recreation department, says more than 97,000 rounds of golf were played at the three courses last year.

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Teen Threatens Another Teen with Knife In School

Submitted by Laura Lee

Thursday, March 28th, 2013, 5:19pm

Teen Threatens Another Teen with Knife In School

A scary situation for one Albert Lea High School student as he was threatened with a knife by another student.

The incident happened in the schools cafeteria Wednesday morning. Albert Lea Police tell us it was all over a pair of squeaky sneakers.

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USDA: Highest Corn Acreage Since 1936 Expected

Submitted by KAAL_Web_Staff

Thursday, March 28th, 2013, 1:16pm

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - The USDA reports that farmers intend to plant 97.3 million acres of corn this year, the most since 1936.

The spring planting survey released Thursday says the 2013 corn planting forecast is up slightly from last year's 97.2 million acres.

Corn remains profitable, as prices are strong after last year's drought left the grain in short supply.

Record corn acreage is expected in Arizona, Idaho, Minnesota, Nevada, North Dakota, and Oregon.

But some Corn Belt states will continue to be affected by the worst drought since the 1950s, with slightly less planted acreage expected.

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Local Fallen Soldier To Be Honored By Nascar Driver

Submitted by KAAL_Web_Staff

Thursday, March 28th, 2013, 12:57pm

(ABC 6 News) - A fallen soldier, from the Albert Lea area, is being remembered next month during a NASCAR race in Kansas City, Kansas.

Corey Goodnature, from the town of Clark's Grove just north of Albert Lea, is being honored by race car driver Kurt Busch. Goodnature's name will be on Busch's #78 Furniture Row Racing Black Chevy during the April 21st Kansas City Sprint Cup Race.

Goodnature was killed in a helicopter crash near Asadabad, Afghanistan in June of 2005. He graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1988 and attended the University of Minnesota before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1991.

An organization called the Armed Forces Foundation is behind the effort to help remember Goodnature and confirms that his name will be on the car. Kurt Busch's girlfriend, Patricia Driscoll, is the President and Executive Director of the foundation. The AFF dedicates each race to someone from the military.

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Tubby Smith Out As University of Minnesota Head Coach

Submitted by KAAL_Web_Staff

Monday, March 25th, 2013, 6:02pm

Tubby Smith Out As University of Minnesota Head Coach

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minnesota has fired Tubby Smith one day after the Golden Gophers lost to Florida in the NCAA tournament.

A person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press that Smith was fired on Monday. The person requested anonymity because a decision has not been announced. CBSsports.com first reported the firing.

Smith spent six seasons with the Gophers, helping to bring the program back to respectability. He arrived in 2007 from Kentucky, immediately ramping up expectations for a team that had been buried by an academic cheating scandal.

Smith won 20 games five times. But he went just 46-62 in Big Ten play and never finished higher than sixth in the conference. The Gophers made three NCAA tournament appearances under Smith. They beat UCLA this year before losing on Sunday.

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